Lord, Is It I?

Early in Jesus’ ministry, he began to make statements Concerning HIS DEATH. John 2:19-22 19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? 21 But he spake of the temple of his body.22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. . .In the parable of the winedressers (Matt. 21:33ff) He declares His rejection and death at the hands of the Jews. (v. 36-39)

After Peter’s confession (Matt After Peter’s confession (Matt. 16:16), 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus began to Reveal to His disciples how He would die. (Matt 16:21-22) 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Matt. 20:17-19 17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, 18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again

Then in Matt. 26:17-25 Jesus adds a new Element to his death: One of the 12 would betray Him!

17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. THE PASSOVER WAS MADE READY!

THE PASSOVER IS READY..IT IS EVENING, AND JESUS SITS DOWN WITH THE 12 20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. THEY BEGAN TO EAT.. A STARTLING ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY JESUS 21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?

JESUS IDENTIFIES THE BETRAYER! 23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me. 24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. 25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.

When Jesus made this announcement: None of them looked at the other and wondered: Will it be John? Will it be Andrew? Will it be Matthew? They asked: “Lord, is it I?”

The Most pressing question is this personal question: “Lord, is it I?” We have many regrets in life, but greatest of all would Be to have to put the finger at one’self and say: It Is I. I have betrayed the Lord!

The Story of a Nurse who sat with patients who were facing death.

If the person was a Christian, some may have mentioned: I’ve been unfaithful! Have I become unfaithful to my Lord? Rev. 2:10 I Cor. 16:13 Rev. 14:13

Is it I? Some may have said that had wasted so much of their lives on self! What did I give my time, talents, and resources to In this life.? Matt. 6:19-21 2 Tim. 4:7-8

Is it I? Some may have confessed they had lived a life of hypocrisy? Matt. 5:16 Matt. 6:33 I Cor. 15:33

Is it I? Some may have mentioned they had grown uninterested in the Lord’s church! Is It I? Coming to the end of my life…Was I not Interested in the Lord’s church? (Matt. 6:33) Eph. 1:22,23 Col. 1:18 Acts 20:28 Heb. 10:25 Am I working to build up O’Neal?

Is It I? Some may Have mentioned they had an been an abusive husband/wife/parent? By words that I have spoken? Matt. 12:36-37 We all need to be very careful what we say and how we say it! By deeds that I have done to them? Eph. 4:32

Is It I? Some may have mentioned that they had quit praying, reading the Bible 2 Tim. 2:15 Study: Do you? Don’t do it! I Thess. 5:17 Pray: Do you? Don’t do that either!

The Nurse said the following were perhaps the most told!

Is It I? With all kinds of Regrets in my life? 1) The Nurse said: In answer to her question: What are some of the Greatest regrets that you have in your life? a) Some would speak of some terrible thing they have done.. and have lived with..without repenting, changing and seeking God’s forgiveness.

b) Some would speak of missing getting closer with their family. c) Some said they regretted not putting the Kingdom first? d) Some regretted not becoming the person they could have been e) Almost all of them would say they did not use their TIME Wisely.

Lord, Is It I? Yes it is to some of us! But what will I do about my life? What will you do about yours?