João 13

João 13

William MacDonald explains "The devil had already put it into Judas’ heart to betray the Lord. Now Satan entered him. At first, it was merely a suggestion. But Judas entertained it, liked it, and agreed to it. Now the devil took control of him." (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary page 1544) Judas Iscariot was a professor of Jesus, but not a possessor of Jesus. That is, he had a physical relationship to Jesus (traveling with Him for 3 years), but He lacked the vital personal possession or personal intimate relationship. THOUGHT - This begs the question dear reader. You may have professed Jesus (e.g., at a youth camp, a revival meeting, by walking an aisle, by holding your hand up when asked to profess Christ, etc), but the question is do you possess Him, or even more to the point does He possess you? Jesus gave a frightening warning in Mt 7:22-23+ "Many (NOT FEW) will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never (oudepote - at any point in time) knew (intimately - ginosko) you; DEPART (aorist imperative) FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE (ergazomai in present tense = habitually practice) LAWLESSNESS (anomia) (ESV = "workers of lawlessness", NET = "you lawbreakers," NIV = "you evildoers").' What was the criteria Jesus used to determine if their profession was truly possession? Notice it was not their prophesying, etc. It was not what they professed but what they practiced! They habitually, as a lifestyle, practiced lawlessness. Their profession had no effect on their practice. Of course, Jesus is not alluding to perfection, but is clearly referring to direction. So back to the original question - What has been the general direction of your life after you professed Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Therefore - Term of conclusion. Jesus was fully aware of what had just invisibly taken place and that now Judas was under Satan's full control. As the Holy Spirit filling believers, controls the believer, here an unholy spirit was filling Judas and in control. Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly (tachus) - First notice that Jesus is in full control of the events surrounding the Cross. And so Jesus commands (do = aorist imperative) Judas, sealing His fate and the fate of Judas. This command was clearly in the hearing of the other 11 disciples. The climax of the ages had come. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary – Judas was hardened, assuming a terrible resolve to carry out his evil deed, and Jesus, knowing the hour had arrived, said, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” The climax of the ages had come. (See The Gospel of John) When we think of the Upper Room we think of 13 persons there, but here we see there was another created being present, Satan. He had to be present to enter into Judas. This is John's only mention of the name Satan. Brian Bell - How do you respond when a heel of betrayal comes crushing down on you? “Forgiveness is the fragrance the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” No one relishes being stepped on, any more than a violet does. But when it happens, let Jesus example be your response. Let His fragrance exude in you a potent forgiveness, reaching the nostrils of the one whose heel has hurt you. (Swindoll) Bob