ESOCS Devotional 18 November 2022
TEXT: JOHN 13:2-11
MEMORY VERSE: “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.” John 13:2
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Judas Iscariot sat closest to our Lord at his left hand during the last supper. He was the one who betrayed his Master later. In everyday life, we often fall victim to those who are closest to us: people with whom we eat and dine together or share our secrets. Later, they use them against us. Let us therefore be wise in the choice of friends we make; and particularly the ones we bring close to our bosom. The scripture forewarned us: “… a man’s enemies will be those of his own household”(Matt. 10:36); again, “… He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me” (John 13:18).
The Scripture says, “…the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot … to betray Him.” The truth is that Satan can tempt someone and make him fall into sin only if there is the tendency in such a person’s heart and mind that cherishes such object of temptation. Satan would not tempt anyone with anything with which he knows he cannot entice the person. Judas made his heart a fertile ground in which the devil could plant a seed. His weakness was the love of money. It was very strong in him. With such deficiency, he became a ready and willing tool in the hands of the devil. If we prepare our hearts and mind for the devil to use, he will do so very efficiently and effectively. But we need a sacred and sanctified heart.
Judas had a covetous heart; and the devil made a most effective use of it. In the end, he ended up bringing Judas down into damnation. Covetousness has serious consequences. Our Lord Jesus warned us emphatically about it. He said to us, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). If we love the things of this world beyond measure, the devil will exploit it against us. Satan’s objective is to destroy us now in this life, and in the life to come. We must resist him; otherwise, he would succeed. He planted an evil seed in the heart of Judas. He is always desirous of planting evil seeds in our hearts. This is the reason the word of God gives us a great counsel: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). We have to open the doors our hearts to Jesus (Rev. 3:20); and close them against the devil. Let us be the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit; for we are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16 & 17) and not of the devil or of sin.
Judas betrayed our Lord after eating with Him during the last supper. Let us not betray our Lord after dinning with Him on His table. If we go back into the world and live in ungodliness, it would mean that we have betrayed Him because we “crucify again for [ourselves] the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:6). The Scripture says, “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s Table and of the table of demons” (1Cor. 10:21). Let us remain faithful to Jesus and do only what is right continually.
CHALLENGES
- What step would you take to prevent the devil from manipulating your heart?
PRAYERS
- Pray God for the grace to remain faithful to Him all through your life.
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 18 November 2022
