John 13:18-30
Jesus knew what lay waiting for him later this evening; as God, in the flesh, He knew not only that He would be betrayed, but who the betrayer would be. That of course, was Judas Iscariot. What is interesting is that none of the other disciples had a clue; in fact, the passage tells us that they assumed Jesus had sent Judas out to purchase things for the needy or even for themselves. Something to remember here is that Judas was likely thought well of and held in some esteem by the rest of the group. They trusted him enough to be the keeper of their funds after all!
So here we have it, a man held in high esteem and placed in a position of trust; yet, he would be the one to sell our Lord for 30 pieces of silver. Judas played the part, said the right words and did the right things. In all respects, he was what we would call today “the perfect Christian.” He was the one we would say of, as we often do when someone falls, “Wow, we never saw THAT coming; they were so proper and faithful.”
Judas had them all conned, and nobody knew the truth. That’s not quite true is it, friends? We know from our story, that one knew, and the one was Jesus.
Jesus knew then, and He knows now. It doesn’t matter what airs we put on. It doesn’t matter how “faithful” we are. It doesn’t matter how nice we dress, or how nicely we speak. Jesus knows. Our Lord is able to look into our hearts and know the truth of our lives and our relationship with Him. If He is looking in our hearts (and He is, by the way), what is He seeing?
Truth in Palmyra 
March 3, 2018 at 08:53
Amen
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March 3, 2018 at 09:00
Hallelujah Wally, preach this morning. Stepping all over my toes, and I am thankful for it.
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March 3, 2018 at 09:07
Thanks, Wally. Yes, we are easily impressed by externals, even the kinds of things that unbelievers admire.
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March 3, 2018 at 09:53
Thanks,Tom. Yeah, we get pretty impressed by the things we can easily see. It’s a shame, though, when the opposite happens and we misjudge another in reverse for externals we percieve as negative.
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March 3, 2018 at 09:12
I have often said W that today, Judas would have been voted as supreme elder in the church………by people who do not know the ways of God nor the truth of scripture.
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March 3, 2018 at 09:54
Nailed, it brother. Notice that in no account did anybody right away say, “Hey I bet it’s Judas!”
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March 3, 2018 at 09:13
God is looking at my heart. Thanks for the great reminder. What has always amazed me is that Jesus knew that Judas would betray him yet He chose him anyway.
Be blessed.
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March 3, 2018 at 09:55
Thanks Michael. I’ve always pondered how things might have been with Judas. But then my head hurts.
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March 3, 2018 at 11:31
Solid point! “If He is looking in our hearts (and He is, by the way), what is He seeing?” I hope, Himself. Because He lives in my heart.
And like you said we can’t know a person’s heart only He knows. We all fall at times. I’ve tried to figure people out, to protect myself, and I’ve come to the conclusion we are to love, forgive, and pray for everyone. Because we cant know. I’ve found It’s much easier to let God be God.
It almost seems to me like Judas himself was unaware of his condition till afterwards. ” As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
I like what I read once. I believe Don Merritt wrote it. It went something like if Judas would have went to Jesus for forgiveness instead of trying to return the money to the Pharisees it might of turned out differently.
Just thinking out loud.
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March 3, 2018 at 11:37
Thanks Denine, that was really great. That sounds like something Don would say honestly, and I tend to think he is on to something. I hope we all understand that Jesus clearly offers the forgiveness of EVERY sin. I have to assume that would include even the sin of betraying our Lord. Love what you said about He should see himself if He looked in. How true that is!
BTW, when I click on you in the reader, I don’t find your site.
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March 3, 2018 at 11:48
Thinks Wally
https://lifeinspired222.wordpress.com. I’m not sure about the reader thing, but with
Try to work on it.
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March 3, 2018 at 11:53
Well, If you send me a link to your place, I’d like to come by!
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March 3, 2018 at 11:57
Does this link work? https://lifeinspired222.wordpress.com
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March 3, 2018 at 11:37
“Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
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March 31, 2018 at 17:01
Keep telling others about Jesus. I try to do that, too, on wordpress and facebook.
https://reader3926.wordpress.com/2018/03/30/jesus-and-your-sins/
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March 31, 2018 at 17:02
Amen, and thanks for visiting and commenting.
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