The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Luke 22:2-6, “And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they might put Him to death; for they were afraid of the people.

3 And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.

4 And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them.

5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.

6 And he consented, and began seeking a good opportunity to betray Him to them apart from the multitude.”

An “agreement” requires two parties exchanging ideas and coming to a mutual conclusion. A “merger” requires each party to give up something of value and accepting something of lesser value in exchange.

Suppose I need two ten dollar bills, but have only one twenty dollar bill. You have two tens and agree to accept my twenty for your two tens. That’s a fair exchange. But suppose you lack one dollar. Together, we have only 19 dollars. We might agree to combine our money, but I have to want what we intend to buy together more than I dislike my loss of one dollar in the exchange. That would be called a “merger.”

In a merger, each side gives up something he considers of greater value in exchange for something he considers of lesser value. In the betrayal of Jesus, Judas Iscariot valued the chief priests’ money more than he valued Jesus friendship. As for the chief priests, they valued the death of Jesus more than they valued the 30 pieces of silver. Would you consider what they did a “fair exchange” or a “merger”?

Either way, Judas allowed Satan to persuade him to betray Jesus. Beware of Satan’s attacks! He is subtle and cunning. Judas was influenced to do something that he later regretted enormously! Satan is still on the attack. He leads us to compromise our convictions –just a little at first; but like a small tear in a piece of cloth –unless it is repaired quickly, it will tear even more, ultimaetly rendering it useless.

Have sound, spiritual convictions –convictions based on solid, biblical teachings. Then know with certainty that there is nothing of value anywhere that supersedes the value of Christ Jesus and His teachings in the Bible! No mergers, not even exchanges! Hold fast to biblical teachings, whatever the immediate cost. There is an ultimate reward for which there is no equal value!

God bless you daily, is our prayer,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”