The First Domino Falls

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the Lord. Psalm 105:1-3

Mark 14:10-11 (<<click to read the passage)
And so, the first domino falls… As we learned going through Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ time, up to this point, had not yet come but in the act of Judas volunteering to betray Jesus to the leading priests, the first domino falls.
There are many times in our lives where a decision is made and once it is made, there is no turning back. Jumping off a diving board, standing up to bully, taking that first bite of your spouses’ first cooked meal – none of these actions can be stopped once they are set into motion.
So often we speak and within seconds are sorry we spoke. Sometimes its what was said. Other times its when it was said. For that matter, it could even be how it was said. Wouldn’t it be great if we had “do-overs” in life? It can happen in the games we play as children but that loophole is short-lived. Once a word slips past our lips it cannot be withdrawn. In today’s society, it is not uncommon for individuals who at some point in their past to have posted something online and no matter how much they wish it would go away; it will never be erased.
Judas had crossed that line and regardless of later regret, it could not be undone. Jesus knew of what Judas was capable. I, for one, do not believe that he was predestined – if you will – to do what he did. He definitely had the propensity to do it and most assuredly did do it but ultimately it was his choice.
Too often we want to pass the buck. We want to blame others for our actions. But there comes a point where we do what we want to do because we want to do it. I realize many people influence the adults we become but it is our choice on what we do with what is input into our hearts and minds.
I don’t know what made Judas tick but even he owned up to the error of which he was guilty…but it was too late. The domino had fallen and had tipped the next one, which tipped the next and so on and so on.
Lord Jesus, many point accusatory fingers at Judas but every single one of us is just as guilty. We have done different things. We have said different things but…sin is sin. That’s the way it has been since the beginning of time and that’s the way it will be until the end of it. And we – and we alone – are responsible for what we do. May we give ourselves over entirely to You. Enable us to seek out Your guidance for our lives. Amen.

July 22^nd, 2019, Mon, 8:58 pm