BETTER NOT TO HAVE BEEN BORN!

But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” —-Matthew 26:24

They had been friends from their youth, but John always seemed to have better things happen to him. He was well liked, had a very pretty girl friend and a good job. Troy became jealous and when an opportunity presented itself to betray his friend for money and have John sent off to prison for life, Troy did it. He thought that he not only would have the money, but also have an opportunity to “comfort” John’s girl friend and maybe end up marrying her himself. John asked why Troy was betraying him and the response was “Because you always had everything and I did not. Now I will have everything and you will have nothing.” John was sent to prison on false charges— betrayed by his friend.

Ever feel betrayed or have a sense of disloyalty toward you, deceived or let down by someone? On the surface things look to be going fine, but behind the scenes there are secret meetings and deception as loyalty wanes and a let-down is soon to be known. Instead of going to a person whom another has a disagreement with, the one in disagreement meets with or forms a group with others that are in agreement with them. This is when a major conflict is flamed up and destructive attitudes are out of control.

Jesus went through such a betrayal with Judas Iscariot. From all appearances on the surface things looked to be going well. But, Judas met with the religious leaders to come up with a plan to hand Jesus over to them. He did this for a mere 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-15). Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Matthew 26:48-49).

Ever hear someone say, “I wish I had never been born!” People usually say this when something is not going their way and they are feeling sorry for themselves. But, according to the verse above Jesus said, “it would be better for him if he had never been born.” In this case it was not what Judas was presently experiencing, but what he would experience because of his betrayal of Jesus. The eternal consequence for that act would be the judgment of hell. Compared to that consequence “it would have been better if he had never been born.”

So it is with everyone who is against Jesus, those who will not live for Him as their Lord, Savior and King. It would be better if “they had never been born!” than to suffer the eternal consequence for their denial of Jesus. Oh please, do not fall into this error. If you do, indeed, “it would have been better than you had not been born.” Those are frightening words, but a factual warning from the mouth of Jesus!

Dear Father, if there is anyone who is reading this and they have not trusted the Lord Jesus Christ yet. Please may they do so now!