One Shall Betray

It’s the last supper. Jesus is spending time with His disciples and they are having the Lord’s supper. As they fellowship and eat, Jesus says, “He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. (John 13:18) You can find a similar verse in Psalm 41:9. Jesus becomes troubled in His spirit and says ONE OF YOU SHALL BETRAY ME.

I wonder if that was a shock when the disciples heard that statement. Many of them began to question, is it I? As I thought about this statement, it saddened my own heart to realize that

I often betray the Savior, the One I call my Savior and Lord.

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Satan enters Judas

Now that Jesus had given the sop to Judas and announced that this would be the one who should betray him, Satan entered Judas. This sounds so horrible and yet many times I let Satan enter the realm of my world and control my thoughts and emotions. I fail to believe my Lord and my Savior. Satan is the master of lies and the greatest deceiver.

No Man Knew

John 13: 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.

Am I oblivious to the working of Satan around me? Ephesians 6 is such an important passage in the life of God’s children. How we need to make sure that we have His armor on day after day – every. single. piece. Why? Because we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies. We are at war every day with the enemy Satan and his rulers of darkness, and again evil spirits in high places. How I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and remember and believe the He is greater!

Judas went out

Immediately Judas went out to do his work of betrayal. He left the presence of Jesus, the One and Only One who could save him. When I allow Satan and his followers to enter and control my life, I immediately go out from God’s presence.

What a sad and dismal place to be, out of the presence of God Almighty.

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What a privilege to be His child and to be allowed to boldly enter His presence at any time. How I need to keep in fellowship with Him and continually abide in His presence.

God is glorified

God uses even the wicked for His glorification. This time looked so dark and grim and hopeless, but God meant it for good. Just as all the bad things that happened in the life of Joseph, God took those events and used them for His glory and for His good. It was God that sent Joseph to Egypt and it was God that sent Jesus to the Cross.

Encourage One Another

Jesus was about to leave His disciples, but He told them to love one another. Our love one for another ought to be so much that that world around sees it and knows that we belong to Him. It may bring a soul to Christ.

John 13: 34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

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Another Betrayal

Peter wanted to know where Jesus was going. He was told that he couldn’t follow Jesus now, but would do so later. Peter asked: Why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake. Oh, brave Peter and yet I identify so much with him. At least he thought he was willing. I’m not sure I could have even said that. I know how much of a coward I am.

Jesus replied: Will you? “The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.” v38 I know Peter didn’t have a clue what Jesus was talking about at this point. Like Peter, in my heart I am determined to defend one that I love so much, but when things go wrong, I often run the other way. This is what happened in the garden. It was time for the betrayal. Judas had met Jesus with that kiss so the soldiers would know who to take.

Immediately Peter wanted to defend him and even cut off the ear of one of the servant’s of the high priest. But Jesus said to put your sword away and He immediately healed that servant. I wonder if that happened so fast that perhaps the servant never even knew or believed it happened.

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matt. 26:52-53)

Jesus could have defended Himself or He could have called 10,000 angels to come deliver Him. If my Lord had only been interested in Himself, you and I would have no hope.

Power of Darkness

When I lose my focus, the the powers of darkness take over.

Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Flicker of Hope

Yet, even when I wander off from my Lord, even when I am letting Satan control me, there is still a flicker of hope in my heart. Why is that? Because I truly know the Savior. I am one of His sheep that has heard His voice.

I am His and He is mine and no one can pluck me out of His hand. Praise God!

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Although I may be backslidden, I don’t leave him completely as Judas did. Maybe I just kind of follow afar off as Peter did. I want things to turn out ok, but I’m just not sure how to go about it. How many times has my own heart betrayed me when I let it get backslidden?

Sitting with Sinners

I’ve left my Lord and now I start sitting among sinners.(see Psalm 1) Peter left Jesus and now was sitting with the sinners probably listening to their mockery and cursing. He continues to deny His Lord – three times and then . . .

Great Conviction

God won’t leave me alone – Hallelujah! He looks upon me with love and brings great conviction to my heart. He reminds me that I’ve run from him and have sin in my heart that needs to be confessed and forgiven for He alone is faithful and just to forgive me. (1 John 1:9)

While Peter was sitting with those sinners, He denied Christ three times. When the rooster crowed after the third time, Peter remembered and conviction came.

Bitterness of Soul

My sin, when I think of it, how it must hurt my Lord! When I’m under conviction, it brings bitterness of soul to my heart.

“And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the Word of the Lord, how He had said unto Him, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:61-62

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Oh the emotion that these verses stir up in myself! I can only imagine how Peter must have felt.

Even in the midst of my sin, my Savior turns and looks at me with eyes of love. His Word pierces my heart and my soul.

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Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

This sword is much sharper than the one that cut off the servant’s ear. His Word cuts to my heart and convicts me and should bring repentance, causing me to weep bitterly over my sin. What love that Jesus is always faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness! My Hope Is Jesus!

I may leave Him, I may betray Him, but He never leaves me. He is always looking at me in love, reminding me through His Word how much He loves me and longingly convicting my heart so that I turn back to Him and claim Him as my Lord and Savior. Oh What Love!