KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Two
IN THE SPRING of 1861, Southern officials, believing him loyal to their cause, commissioned Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert as a Lieutenant in the Confederate Army...
However on the day of his confirmation, Torbert was serving as a Colonel in the 1st New Jersey Volunteers. Commissioned to serve on both sides of the conflict, he was whole-heartedly loyal the United States. He was the only officer to have the distinction of serving in both the Confederate and Union armies at the same time.
This story reminds me of Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Messiah. Judas' relationship to the Messiah is not mentioned until Jesus was anointed at Bethany ( John 12:1-8). After being rebuked by the son of God for putting money ahead of worship, Judas made a bargain with the priest for Jesus' capture ( John 13:2). While serving his master, he plotted to have him arrested ( Matthew 26:47-56).
Simultaneously serving two masters gives one a false sense of satisfaction. After Jesus was condemned to death, Judas was overwhelmed with guilt. He attempted to undo his treason, but he was contemptuously rejected by the enemy ( Matthew 27:1-10). It was too late for him to be a servant of the Messiah ( Acts 1:15-20).
THOUGHT: Satan, the father of lies, entices all of us to follow his earthly wisdom. Whose side are you on? Christian, are you up for the task? (Paul Goddard)
"Jesus is standing in Pilate's hall,
Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
Hearken! What meaneth the sudden call!
What will you do with Jesus?"
--Albert Simpson
KneEmail: “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6:24).