Thursday, October 27, 2016

PT-1 The Traitor Addressed (John 13:26-30)


SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 10/27/2016 9:54 AM

My Worship Time                                                                    Focus:  PT-1The Traitor Addressed

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  John 13:26-30

            Message of the verses:  “26 Jesus then answered, "That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him." So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly." 28 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29  For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, "Buy the things we have need of for the feast"; or else, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.”

            We can believe as we look at the answer that Jesus gave to John that he was the only one who heard it, but it surely became known to the others a short time later.  Judas was sitting at the place of honor next to Jesus, and because of this we can see that Jesus still loved him even though he was going to betray Him.  As mentioned this is something that I have a hard time understanding and yet it is true.  Now as far as what the morsel was the Greek/English translation just say it is a bit, something small, but the implications of this small piece of what was probably unleavened bread was very large indeed.  This bit or morsel was a part of the meal they were eating and they would dip it into a dip that was prepared for this occasion. 

            Now I have highlighted “after the morsel” for I really had not seen it in the way that I see it today, for after Jesus gave Judas this morsel salvation was truly over for him, he could not be saved he had passed over the deadline at that very moment “for He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU." Behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION’ (2 Cor. 6:2).”  We read next that “Satan then entered into him.”  It was all over for Judas as far as ever becoming a believer in Jesus Christ and what a shame, what a waste as Jesus said it would have been better if he would not have been born, and yet he was born, he did spend over three years with Jesus, and Jesus knew all of the time that this was going to happen, and yet He still loved him.  MacArthur write about Satan entering Judas “(The Devil evidently gained direct control over Judas on two occasions: just before the betrayal was arranged [Luke 22:3], an now as it was about to be carried out.)  Divine mercy gave way to divine judgment and Judas was in essence handed over to Satan (cf. 1 Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20) He had spurned Christ’s love for the last time, and his eternal doom was sealed.  F. F. Bruce writes ‘Jesus’ action, in singling Judas out for a mark of special favour, may have been intended as a final appeal to him to abandon his treacherous plan and play the part of the true disciple.  Up to that moment, the die had not been irrevocably cast.  If Judas wavered for a second, it was only to steel himself to carry out his fatal resolution, to become the willing instrument of Satan whereas he might have been the free follower and messenger of his Master.  Satan could not have entered into him had he not granted him admission.  Had he been willing to say ‘No’ to the adversary, all of his Master’s intercessory power was available to him there and then t strengthen him there then t strengthen him.  But when a disciple’s will turns traitor, when the spiritual aid of Christ is refused, that person’s condition is desperate indeed.’” 

            I think after reading what F. F. Bruce has to say here that it is a good time to stop and think about it, especially anyone reading this who has not trusted Christ as their Savior and Lord, to think about this and perhaps the Spirit of God is tugging at your heart for you to repent of your sins, realize that you as all people were born with a sinful nature and that is the reason why you sin, and understand that as stated you need to repent and trust Christ to save you for after all He died in your place.  By all means think about this and hopefully you will understand that Christ loves you and desires to save you from your sins, and then find a believer and tell them so that you can get connected with a good local church that preaches the gospel and helps people grow in the Lord.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Realize more about how great a love the Christ has for me and for all people, and will love them as He loved Judas until Judas made the decision to run from that love and died in his sin.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Continue to pray for those who are not believers who read these Spiritual Diaries to become believers and for believers to grow in the Lord and also have a great revival given to them by the Spirit of God.

Memory verse for the week (Romans 6:15) “15 What then?  Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?  May it never be!”

Answer to yesterday’s Bible question:  (Micah 5:2).”

Today’s Bible question:  “Who said ‘I said I would honor you greatly, but behold, the LORD has held you back from honor?’”

Answer in our next SD.

10/27/2016 11:03 AM

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