JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES HAVE THE LAST SUPPER

JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES HAVE THE LAST SUPPER

   After He had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."

   His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them He meant.  One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to Him.  Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask Him which one He means."

   Leaning back against Jesus, he asked Him, "Lord, who is it?"

   Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish."  Then, dipping the piece of bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.  As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

   "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.  Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor.  As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out.  And it was night.  John 13:21-30  (NIV)

LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE COMMENTARY

   Judas was not the obvious betrayer.  After all, he was the one the disciples trusted to keep the money.

   Satan's part in the betrayal of Jesus does not remove any of the responsibility from Judas.  Disillusioned because Jesus was talking about dying rather than setting up his kingdom, Judas may have been trying to force Jesus' hand and make Him use His power to prove He was the Messiah.  Or perhaps Judas, not understanding Jesus' mission, no longer believed Jesus was God's chosen one.  Whatever Judas thought, Satan assumed that Jesus' death would end his mission and thwart God's plan.  Like Judas, Satan did not know that Jesus' death was the most important part of God's plan all along.

   John describes these few moments in clear detail.  We can see that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen.  He knew about Judas and about Peter, but He did not change the situation, nor did He stop loving them.  In the same way, Jesus knows exactly what you will do to hurt Him.  Yet He still loves you unconditionally and will forgive you whenever you ask for it.  Judas couldn't understand this, and his life ended tragically.  Peter understood, and despite his shortcoming, his life ended triumphantly because he never let go of his faith in the One who loved him.

MY THOUGHTS

   This was not the message I was going to post today, but this one would not leave me.  So, I felt compelled to post it.

   My observation is that Jesus was sitting right there, handing Judas a piece of bread when Satan entered Judas.  Judas knew Jesus.  He had walked with Him.  He had seen the miracles.  Yet, he did not believe on Him.

   I pray for my family and all those I love, that they will accept the priceless gift Jesus offers.  It is a gift we can enjoy for eternity!  There is a time when Jesus will turn His back on you.  He knocks at the door of your heart just so long, then no more.  HE WAS SITTING AT THE TABLE WITH JUDAS!  Don't let your opportunity pass by.  Accept Jesus as your personal savior NOW.

   Look at Peter.  He was not perfect.  Jesus doesn't want perfect.  He wants you!  I will say it again:  the only thing of importance in this life is your relationship with Jesus.

   Please visit our "Pathway to Salvation" page if you are not saved:    http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html).

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