Day 4
Wednesday, April 08, 2020
The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is also called Passover, was approaching. 2 The leading priests and teachers of religious law were plotting how to kill Jesus, but they were afraid of the people’s reaction. 3 Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.
Luke 22:1-6
In a previous reading we saw Jesus set the mad man of the Gerasenes free of a legion of evil spirits. With this in mind it is interesting to note that for three plus solid years Judas hung around the One who had power over demons and yet allowed satan to enter him. The scriptures teach us that this occurred in order for prophecy to be fulfilled. Whichever way, Judas still had the responsibility to say yes or no to the enemy. It appears that he had prior to the time of his betrayal of Christ had allowed the evil one traffic in an out of his life at will. We know this because Judas as treasurer for Jesus’ ministry helped himself to the offering money in the purse.
But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
John 12:4-6
We have a choice and there is grace available to make a choice to go with God rather than the enemy’s suggestions. Pray that the enemy will never gain access to our spirit in Jesus name.
What else do you see in these verses? There’s always plenty!
I think there is a little bit of Judas in all of us. We seek to rob what belongs to Jesus. Pastor talks about our time, talents and treasures. How often do I hold these things back from him and keep them for myself?
Judas entertained those thoughts, mulled them over in his mind and acted to suit his own purposes. Scripture tells us that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1Peter 5:8). Don’t give the devil an opportunity (Eph 4:27).
Instead I am to “submit myself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from me. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to me…” (James 4:7-8). Praise God that the one who is in me (the Spirit) is greater than the one in the world! I can, we can have victory. Thank you Jesus!
This is so true. Lord gave mercy and deliver me from any selfish way