Dear Christian friends:

"And Jesus said unto him, Friend, why have you come?" (Matthew 26:50)

Jesus asked Judas that question when he came to betray Him with a kiss. Jesus knew why Judas had come. He did not ask him that question to find out. Jesus knew Judas had come to betray Him. Why does Jesus ask him? Jesus had two reasons, two good reasons why.

Today I ask you that question: Why have you come to church today?


Jesus asked Judas that question because Jesus still loved Him and wanted him to stop and think, so he would become aware of his terrible wrong or sin.

Today I ask you that question so you will become aware of your wrong or sin. Why have you come today? Your answer, "Because I love Jesus." Yes, you think you love Jesus and you come to church on Monday.

It seems that you really love Jesus. But remember Judas seemed to love Jesus. He even thought that he still loved Jesus. He came to Jesus and said, "Hail, master; and kissed him." (Matthew 26:49) But really Judas did not love Jesus. He had led Jesus' enemies to Jesus' secret prayer place, so they could arrest Him. Judas did it for money, for thirty pieces of silver. He loved money more than Jesus.

Why have you come here today? Because you love Jesus? You say that you love Jesus. You seem to love Jesus, but do you really love Jesus? When you leave church do you act like Jesus' friend with others? Do you love others? Do you help others and show kindness to others? Do you forgive others or do you act like unbelievers, enemies of Jesus? Do you hate others? Are you jealous of others? Mean to others? Seek revenge against others? Do you refuse to forgive those who sin against you?

Why have you come here today? I ask you that question so you can become aware of your sins.

Although Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, Jesus still loved him. Jesus calls him "Friend." Jesus means to tell Judas, "Friend, I don't care that you have betrayed Me or that there is a mob behind you. Repent and accept My forgiveness and stand with Me, and not with them."

Jesus loves us today. He says to you, "Friend, I don't care that you have betrayed Me again and again. I have died on the cross to pay for your sins. Repent, accept My forgiveness! Be my friend! Forsake those who hate Me! Stand with Me! Let Me be your Savior and King! Come die with Me, and find with me resurrection to a new and real life."

Friend, why have you come here. Come not to give Him a kiss of love and then go out into the world to betray Him in your daily life. Come stand by Jesus and receive His forgiveness and His love for a new life.

Amen.