Out of the Ashes

John 12:4 & 5
But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.

Ponderings:
Judas—The betrayer who is politically correct…and corrupt. Maybe that’s a new term, “politically corrupt.” Judas—the master of diverting attention away from himself while appearing to be concerned for others. Why would Jesus have chosen him? I started to ask how Judas could have done what he did but came to my senses. Why would Jesus have chosen me? How many times have I said something I thought was truth only to find my ethics were more situational than real?

Judas wasn’t the only disciple confronted with his bad choices and really he was no worse than the others who turned away when the circumstances were tough. But…there is one BIG difference that is the essence of this Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.  When reality interrupted the corrupted, the others knew where to turn for restoration. Judas’ faith was in his actions and his choices. He is a sad reminder of the reality sin forces us to deal with: repentance. Even that has critical choices [1] WHAT you repent of…not merely being sorry you were stupid or caught and [2] WHO you repent to.  There is only one who has the power to pick you Out of the Ashes of sin and restore you…Jesus.