In chapter 22 of the Gospel of Matthew, we see one of the accounts of the Last Supper; we see the last Passover feast to be celebrated by Jesus before His crucifixion. Most readers will recognize this as the institution by Jesus of our current celebration of the Lord’s Supper. This, however, is not really a post about that, but something else.
Jesus had just announced in this passage that one of the disciples would soon betray him:
Matthew 26:21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
The reaction from the men present was very telling, and I think we can learn some things from it. Immediately, they all began to wonder out loud who the betrayer was to be; isn’t that interesting?
No one had ANY clue that Judas Iscariot was to be the betrayer. If there had been something amiss with that fellow, instead of wondering if they were the one, all of the disciples would have immediately pointed fingers at him! They, however did not. Friends, we don’t know the state of another’s heart, as only God does. False converts and even outright evil can lurk in our midst and we may never know. Does that mean we start trying to hunt down those folks? No, it does not; again, we can never know nor are we to even try to know that. What it means is we need to preach to ourselves. There is a reason why(hopefully) the Gospel is preached in our churches week after week. If we are preachers and teachers, the clear Gospel message should remain an integral part of our teachings…always.
Now, let’s move on the the other disciples. Paul taught us this:
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
A bit of self reflection never hurt a soul. Are we secure in the salvation of Jesus Christ? Have we accepted and believed on the complete payment He made for us on the cross of Calvary, or are we thinking that somehow we have worked our way to God’s grace by our own efforts, and because we look the Christian role? We all know, deep inside, that we are simply sinners in need of somebody to pay what we can never pay, except with our own lives and souls. I have to think that even the disciples understood that in and of themselves they were sinners, and concerned that they would fail their Lord given the opportunity.
It doesn’t hurt for us to always remember that we are all sinners; some are simply saved and forgiven sinners….and some are not.
December 23, 2017 at 08:12
Wally, as you know, in the end all of the apostles betrayed Jesus. Not a one remained and it is the same with us as we betray him daily by failing to observe His commandments. Thank you for your wonderful post. Merry Christmas.
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December 23, 2017 at 08:17
Now, that’s well said, Tom. Deep inside each of us is a Judas. Ouch, but true. You have a wonderful Christmas too!
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December 23, 2017 at 08:43
Well said, Wally. Why did they all ask, “Lord, is it I?” if they did not sense within themselves that they had the capacity and ability to deny Jesus? On a side note, I find it interesting that only John (the apostle of Love) had anything negative to say about Judas…and Judas was the only one of the 12 who was from the same Tribe as Jesus, the tribe of Judah…Merry Christmas!
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December 23, 2017 at 09:32
Thanks Randy. I had never thought of that about them both being from the tribe of Judah. Merry Christmas to you also!
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December 23, 2017 at 09:28
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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December 23, 2017 at 09:35
Thanks brother Vincent!
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December 23, 2017 at 11:22
Thank You, Father, for Your God’s amazing grace…
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December 23, 2017 at 12:31
Amen!
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December 23, 2017 at 11:54
Well said, Wally.
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December 23, 2017 at 12:31
Thank you, IB
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December 24, 2017 at 03:13
So true, Wally… I love the phrase, “there but for the grace of God go I.” So grateful for God’s grace!
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December 24, 2017 at 15:42
Nice job, Wally. I loved this post. Your “false converts” comment reminded me of a book I read awhile ago on Muslim converts in Iran. I think it was “Captive in Iran.” The young Muslim convert who wrote the book speaks of clandestine prayer and worship meetings in Iran. Believers have to SLOWLY assemble and depart, one at a time, so no one is suspicious. They must sing worship songs really quietly. There were several young Muslim men who were interested in becoming Christians. They convinced the young woman to bring them to the meeting. The young men attended services for several weeks, feigning conversion. The following Sunday, they arrived wearing undetectable suicide bomb vests. They set them both off in the service, killing several Christian converts and permanently disfiguring the girl who survived the bomb blast to write the book. My pastor’s sister is currently in an undisclosed Muslim country spreading the Gospel, handing out Bibles, and holding secret Bible studies and worship services. It’s shocking to realize that, as she told the congregation, she could be captured and murdered for her Christian activities. I am always prayerful for our missionaries, especially those serving in Muslim countries. BY THE WAY, MERRY CHRISTMAS MY BROTHER!
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December 24, 2017 at 16:26
What a story Steve. And we think just assembling in our nice buildings is more effort than we can put out. Prayers for that young lady. Finally Merry Christmas to you also
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January 24, 2018 at 22:47
thank you for sharing 👍
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