My Easter Lesson

I am notorious for missing my exits...I will be driving along most days and then the words, "Oh crap, I missed my exit" comes out of my mouth which means I end up taking the long way around. Why does this always happen? Because I am doing anything and everything except concentrating on my driving. I am usually trying to impersonate Mariah Carey with my mad singing skills, listening to a pod cast sermon, playing Truth or Dare with my kids (which usually ends with me eating a month old french fry that the kids have found in their seat), or yes...talking on the phone. OK, OK...I realize you all may be thinking stay off the road in Oklahoma when she is driving, but I really am a good driver...except when it comes to finding my exit. Even though it is right in front of me...I miss it. Even though I know it is coming up because I have driven it a thousand times...I miss it.
Can someone really be that incompetent that they miss the obvious? Just Ask....Judas Iscariot.
Here is a guy who is a pretty big part of the Easter story, yet we don't talk about him much because he was also one of the most tragic characters of the story. Here is a man that missed it. He missed his exit. He missed the obvious. He missed what was right in front of him....the relationship he could have had with Jesus, His teacher. Judas walked with Jesus, he talked with Jesus, was witness first hand to many of his miracles but he missed it because he was so focused on what He thought the Messiah should be. He was focused on his needs, wants, and desires. He was with Jesus, but missed Jesus. He missed out on the love that Jesus had for him, the plans Jesus had for him, the friendship Jesus wanted with him.
The saddest part of the story is....
"Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed this mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."...and throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself." Matthew 27:3-5
You see, he missed the biggest part of Jesus....His forgiveness. There were two people that day who betrayed Jesus...Peter and Judas Iscariot. Both were disciples. Both were with Jesus. Both betrayed Jesus. One came back and asked for forgiveness...the other didn't. One is known as Peter the Apostle...the other Judas the betrayer. He missed his exit...the gift of forgiveness and unconditional love that this man right in front of him had to offer.
My encouragement and challenge this Easter...don't miss it. Don't miss what Jesus has to offer you. Maybe its forgiveness, freedom from the shame you have carried around. Maybe its rest that you so desperately need right now. Maybe it's direction of where to go next. Maybe its love, someone to look at you and say "I love you."
This Easter season as you go to church, surrounded by crosses and lilies, surrounded by Jesus everywhere making dinner to celebrate Jesus, getting dressed up for Jesus... don't miss Jesus. I know I'm not gonna!