Acts 1:16-20 Men and brothers, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled… He was guide to them that took Jesus. I. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO TAKE CHRIST. 1. Faith takes Jesus. It takes Christ at His word. (1) In His promises. (2) In His warnings, when He directs the life by those careful provisions and restrictions which are found everywhere in His Word. (3) In His precepts, when it strives to obey that which He commands, to submit to that which He appoints. (4) In His person. (5) In His covenanted presence in this world by the Spirit. 2. Falseness takes Christ. Inspired by hatred of His words, by restlessness under His control, by uncongeniality with His spirit, it cries, "I will not; have this man to reign over me." And when that spirit of opposition is developed there is no mode of destruction too vile for falseness to accept. The world is full of those who are controlled by this hostility. Opposition to Jesus among men only lacks leadership; and whensoever such a guide is found they covenant with him even to a costly sacrifice if he will deliver the Jesus of the Church into their hands. Pilate's timidity, and Herod's overweening, weak curiosity, are bad enough in condemning Christ; but He says, "He that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin." It is not enough that the Judas who guides this hostility should plead his own freedom from violence. He adds meanness to his other sins when he shirks the responsibility he has assumed. There are multitudes who need no accusers before God's throne. There are those who confess that they are opponents, and mean to be such, and whose only apology is, "At all events, we do not profess to be anything better," and in God's book of remembrance their apology becomes their accusation. Then there are those who say, "We know the truth perfectly." Then, brother, if thy life is still against Christ, when thou shalt stand before that terrible bar thine own faith shall testify against thee. Of all dooms there is none so dreadful as that of him who strives to hold the privilege of professed discipleship, and yet is a guide to them that take Jesus. II. THREE STEPS WHICH SUCH A GUIDE MUST TAKE. Only three? How short a journey it is! David sums it up with other words in his first Psalm. The likeness of Judas' life in these three respects can be traced, I fear, in that of some of us. 1. He counsels with Jesus' enemies. 2. He reveals His hiding. 3. He perverts a profession of affection. (S. H. Tyng, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. |
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