THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2013
25 DAYS TO RESURRECTION
SUNDAY
John 13:2
"The devil having put it into the heart of Judas to betray..."
SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN
13:1-2
1. Now before the feast
of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart
out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the
world, he loved them unto the end.
2. And supper being
ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Isacriot, Simon's son,
to betray him...
LUKE 22:1-6.
1. Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him, for they feared the people.
3. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
REFLECTION: The ancient Roman historian Cicero said of March 15, "The Ides changed everything."
It was on March 15, 44BC (known in Rome as "the ides of March,") that the self-proclaimed dictator of the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar was assassinated by a band of conspirators in the Roman Senate. The conspirators were led by Marcus Brutus, ironically a man who owed his life and career to Caesar. With terror and disbelief the dictator cried, "Et tu, Brute?" (Literally, "And you, Brutus?)
Brutus' involvement in the plot was understandable if not justifiable.
But almost 70 years later to the day, there was another betrayer, 1500 miles away in Jerusalem, who hatched a plot that is neither understandable nor justifiable.
Judas Iscariot, was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve disciples. He was one of the 70 whom Jesus sent out to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:2). He listened to our Lord's great wisdom. He enjoyed our Lord's great love. He was trusted to be the treasurer. Jesus even washed his feet at the Last Supper." (John 13:4ff).
How did such a close friend of the Savior fall to such an extent that he would literally sell out Christ for 30 pieces of silver--the price of a common slave? When Judas and his band of religious leaders stormed into Gethsemane to arrest him, Jesus called Judas "Friend." Indeed how could Judas have done something so gross to someone so good?
Was he a false disciple at the first? The testimony of Scripture does not bear out this conclusion.
1. Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him, for they feared the people.
3. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
4. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
REFLECTION: The ancient Roman historian Cicero said of March 15, "The Ides changed everything."
It was on March 15, 44BC (known in Rome as "the ides of March,") that the self-proclaimed dictator of the Roman Empire, Julius Caesar was assassinated by a band of conspirators in the Roman Senate. The conspirators were led by Marcus Brutus, ironically a man who owed his life and career to Caesar. With terror and disbelief the dictator cried, "Et tu, Brute?" (Literally, "And you, Brutus?)
Brutus' involvement in the plot was understandable if not justifiable.
But almost 70 years later to the day, there was another betrayer, 1500 miles away in Jerusalem, who hatched a plot that is neither understandable nor justifiable.
Judas Iscariot, was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve disciples. He was one of the 70 whom Jesus sent out to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:2). He listened to our Lord's great wisdom. He enjoyed our Lord's great love. He was trusted to be the treasurer. Jesus even washed his feet at the Last Supper." (John 13:4ff).
How did such a close friend of the Savior fall to such an extent that he would literally sell out Christ for 30 pieces of silver--the price of a common slave? When Judas and his band of religious leaders stormed into Gethsemane to arrest him, Jesus called Judas "Friend." Indeed how could Judas have done something so gross to someone so good?
Was he a false disciple at the first? The testimony of Scripture does not bear out this conclusion.
Was he possessed by Satan from his childhood? Again there is no Biblical text to support that theses.
Was he doing Christ a favor by forcing Him to establish His Kingdom over the world? Or could it be, as the Gnostics thought, that Judas was actually enlightened and that he did what he did to precipitate a crisis and hasten that moment when the world would be redeemed through Christ's death.
Both Luke and John, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, trace Christ's betrayal to that moment when "satan entered" or "the devil put into his heart," this dreadful scheme.
Scripture, reason, and our own experience teaches us that Satan's entrance into Judas was "the outcome of a gradual failing in lesser things." (New Advent Encyclopedia.)
It appears that his concern for the money became a malignant love of money.
His tendency to shade the facts became a shameless hypocrisy--professing concern for the poor when the costly ointment was poured on Christ's head, feigning surprise when the Lord identified him as the betrayer, and kissing Jesus in Gethsemane.
His ambition to see Christ's Kingdom promoted became a desire for self-promotion.
Gradually, but
undeniably, Judas himself opened his heart's door for Satan. And wasn't the end
of Judas predictable? When Satan wins, men always lose.
But thanks be to God, Satan did not win over our crucified, dead, buried Savior. HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
In innumerable ways, some we know, and most we have yet to realize, "The Resurrection changed everything!"
PRAYER: We praise you, Our Father in Heaven, for your excellent greatness. Your power to transform tragedy into triumph, your ability to turn what men meant for evil into something that is for our good, and your determination and drive to save "a wretch like me," testify to your infinite wisdom and might.
We pray, Oh God, that if we have in even the slightest way opened the door of our heart to the deceiver, that you would deeply convict us, soften our repentant hearts, and forgive us. Lord keep us from taking even the first step away from that warm and loving relationship we have with you.
"Now unto Him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever." Amen. "Our Father, &c" (Benediction found in Jude 24,25)
But thanks be to God, Satan did not win over our crucified, dead, buried Savior. HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
In innumerable ways, some we know, and most we have yet to realize, "The Resurrection changed everything!"
PRAYER: We praise you, Our Father in Heaven, for your excellent greatness. Your power to transform tragedy into triumph, your ability to turn what men meant for evil into something that is for our good, and your determination and drive to save "a wretch like me," testify to your infinite wisdom and might.
We pray, Oh God, that if we have in even the slightest way opened the door of our heart to the deceiver, that you would deeply convict us, soften our repentant hearts, and forgive us. Lord keep us from taking even the first step away from that warm and loving relationship we have with you.
"Now unto Him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever." Amen. "Our Father, &c" (Benediction found in Jude 24,25)
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