Day 220 “Sin is curable, even in the latest of stages, just one drop from the blood of the Lamb.”

Day 220 Matthew 26:20-25 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?” He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?” He said to him, “You have said it.” Can you imagine being Judas, sitting at this table thinking that no one knew what he had done and, suddenly, the very person he betrayed acknowledges His betrayal? Have you ever done something knowing it was wrong, then just about the time you think you have gotten away with it, someone calls you on the carpet? Well, I have, and the feeling in the pit of your stomach is impossible to describe and completely unforgettable. The ironic thing is that none of us (as believers) ever get away with anything unnoticed, and He who sees it all has a way of not letting us forget it until we have dealt with it. Betrayal, as with all sin, is much like a cancer, it grows and grows even unto death until the every last root and cell of it has been destroyed. The longer it is left unattended, the more it grows, even when we ignore the symptoms. No matter how obvious they are, our denial does nothing to ease the pain. I see the pain of sin on the faces of people every day; like that cancer, it grows and grows, never being treated until either death wins out or the realization of Christ has come. If you look, you, too, will see the symptoms of sin on the faces of almost anyone you meet. Here are some examples. Bitterness shows itself as anger and the facial scowl. Unforgiveness often manifests itself as shyness when we can't accept forgiveness or as anger and bitterness when we cannot extend forgiveness. Selfishness is often the result of a childhood of overindulgence by loved ones or a lack of daily necessities, often manifesting itself as impatience and greed. The list truly does go on and on, even such as in Judas’ case: the arrogance of believing your lie so much that it becomes a truth. Judas’ response to Jesus could be interpreted as one of a man who was so deep in his sin he had convinced himself that it wasn't; again, like so many people we know today. Sin, like any other cancer, should and can be dealt with. Sin, unlike cancer, is 100 percent treatable, with a 100 percent non-mortality rate. The cure, of course, is free, somewhat painless, and rather enjoyable but, like cancer, we must first be willing to admit that something just isn't right. We must admit that there are things going on within us that we know are affecting us, and even though we can live with them now, they will only get worse if we wait. Whether it be your physical health or your spiritual health, can you ask yourself this question today and face the truth with strength, “How are you feeling, everything OK?” Daily Prayer: Father, I pray that we would not ignore the warning signs of sickness, either spiritual or physical; they all need to be dealt with. Please give us the strength to do so in the early stages. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. “Sin is curable, even in the latest of stages, just one drop from the blood of the Lamb.” Gene Burroughs, Pastor