Greater Than

2 Cor. 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Teaching math to a toddler requires creativity. If you wonder whether they can grasp the greater than- less than principle, try cookies. If Charlie’s sister gets three cookies and he gets two, he becomes unglued. He understands she got the greater amount and he was slighted. Sometimes adults act the same way when they feel slighted. We all want more of a good thing. We often fare better when we are given less than what we desire. We don’t always know our limitations. Ever watch diners at an all-you-can-eat buffet? My husband calls them human feeding troughs. 

We can be gluttonous with more than just food. We consume too much social media, television, and a host of other distractions. We deceive ourselves into believing we can take in just one moment of a sidebar in life. Before we know it, we are engulfed by the distracter. Too much of anything becomes a bad thing.

Looking too long at a distraction wasn’t prosperous for Eve, King David, Achan and several other biblical characters. When their desire to feed the flesh was greater than what God had intended, and they ignored His commands, they suffered tragic consequences.

Often enough, I ignore God promptings. I hear that still small voice whisper, “Enough. Stop.” Later, I regret not heeding the voice of the One who knows me best, and my limitations. Yet, even when I ignore my Creator, He applies the greater than principle. His grace is greater than all my sin. His grace is greater than all my guilt and self condemnation. His grace is more than enough!

Too Late

"Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Matthew 27:3-4 ESV

 Judas - one minute an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, the next His traitor. Why would he do such a thing? Perhaps greed, power, anger. When these emotions were heightened by the surrounding events, Judas took one of the most magnanimous falls in history. From sitting at the table with Jesus to a secret meeting with the chief priests, Judas did the unthinkable. He handed over a life, then later, took his own.
  Judas was impulsive. He spoke out of turn. His words advertised what his heart had been holding in secret. His sin became public display. His shame, grief, and guilt are a reminder what impulsiveness can lead to.
 The prophet Isaiah referred to Jesus as "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief." As I read the last days of Jesus' early life, I can see why he was sorrowful. He knew what was in the hearts of his followers, not just the ones who were with Him at the moment. He knew what the hearts of all who would ever follow Him were capable - and would carry out.
 Judas, too, was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. However, his was different than Jesus'. He was undone by his own sin. His regret was too late, or so he thought. Instead of repent, he replayed the course of his actions, and took his own life.
 For the rest of us, it's never too late to repent. We can come to the feet of Jesus, the place Judas left, and confess the sin in our hearts, and the ones we have committed. It's never too late to come.