Jesus' Disciples are one among the most inspiring people ever lived. Being with the master, watching his every step and following him would have given them opportunity to know what God really wants his sons and daughters to do in this world. But yet at many instances some of them have failed.
The Betrayal - Judas Iscariot
One of the Disciple who took an extreme decision to betray his master for 30 silver coins (The same or equivalent was used to betray Joseph of the old testament). If Jesus knew that Judas would betray why should he allow him to betray? As he was a Disciple, Jesus could have prayed for him (As he did in case of Peter)
The case of betrayal: Judas was the treasurer. Several occasions he use to handle the money bag. At one particular instance it is said that he also questions Jesus about spending. I think here he gets to a point where he wanted to do something to Jesus.
God always works with the choices we make, he allows us to make and commit mistakes. That does not make him wrong, he gave us free will to choose. The Pharaoh in the Moses' time could be a better example to understand this. God tried to make him understand who he is through Moses, then again through various trails, but he would not listen. It is said, that his heart was hardened that he doesn't want God to interfere in his life. He wanted the people to believe that he is God. Everyone who chooses to Sin against God is in the same line with this Pharaoh. If we faithfully ask God to forgive us our sins he will, if we ask to help us overcome the temptations he will help us - Matt 26:41 - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Then arise an other question as to why Jesus prayed for Peter, but not to Judas? If we see both the Disciples took wrong decisions. One to betray another denied. But when they recognized their sins. They acted differently. Peter cried bitterly and repented, but Judas took a wrong way. It should be noted that both were disciples, but their choices were different. Though they saw all the miracles, knowing who Jesus was, but yet they allowed their human attributes towards life more than God's. Jesus said that Peter would deny when Peter was saying that even at the cost of life he would not deny, Jesus did said someone who dips the bread with me today is going to betray me. So he knew what people are going to do, even before they themselves knew. God knows our every weakness, only thing Jesus is asking you about is to submit it and to surrender our will to him.
Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for your word, your word is the lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. It leads and guides us through out our life. Thank you for Jesus - The Son Of God to whom we submit and surrender our will, our life, our thoughts and all our fears and worries. As the scripture says, caste your care upon him for he cares for you. We might have denied you like Peter, saying whatever the case is we will live for you, but would have denied at times, or we may even been like Judas, questioning as to why you did different things. But God forgive us, forgive us of our sins. Give us one more opportunity by your Grace and Mercy. Father Lord give us strength to overcome these thoughts of denial and betrayal in life, rather we look at the cross and say such was the love of our Lord Jesus, who died for me for my sins and for all the sins of the world, whoever turns from his sinful ways to him will be saved, delivered and forgiven. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ as the Lord, then he died and arose, he will be saved. Thanking for saving us Lord, bless this day.
The Betrayal - Judas Iscariot
One of the Disciple who took an extreme decision to betray his master for 30 silver coins (The same or equivalent was used to betray Joseph of the old testament). If Jesus knew that Judas would betray why should he allow him to betray? As he was a Disciple, Jesus could have prayed for him (As he did in case of Peter)
The case of betrayal: Judas was the treasurer. Several occasions he use to handle the money bag. At one particular instance it is said that he also questions Jesus about spending. I think here he gets to a point where he wanted to do something to Jesus.
Matthew 26:6-16New American Standard Bible (NASB)
The Precious Ointment
6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, at the home of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at the table. 8 But the disciples were indignant when they saw this, and said, “Why this waste? 9 For this perfume might have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you bother the woman? For she has done a good deed to Me. 11 For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me. 12 For when she poured this perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial. 13 Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”
Judas’s Bargain
14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me [a]to [b]betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty[c]pieces of silver to him. 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to[d]betray [e]Jesus.
God always works with the choices we make, he allows us to make and commit mistakes. That does not make him wrong, he gave us free will to choose. The Pharaoh in the Moses' time could be a better example to understand this. God tried to make him understand who he is through Moses, then again through various trails, but he would not listen. It is said, that his heart was hardened that he doesn't want God to interfere in his life. He wanted the people to believe that he is God. Everyone who chooses to Sin against God is in the same line with this Pharaoh. If we faithfully ask God to forgive us our sins he will, if we ask to help us overcome the temptations he will help us - Matt 26:41 - "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Then arise an other question as to why Jesus prayed for Peter, but not to Judas? If we see both the Disciples took wrong decisions. One to betray another denied. But when they recognized their sins. They acted differently. Peter cried bitterly and repented, but Judas took a wrong way. It should be noted that both were disciples, but their choices were different. Though they saw all the miracles, knowing who Jesus was, but yet they allowed their human attributes towards life more than God's. Jesus said that Peter would deny when Peter was saying that even at the cost of life he would not deny, Jesus did said someone who dips the bread with me today is going to betray me. So he knew what people are going to do, even before they themselves knew. God knows our every weakness, only thing Jesus is asking you about is to submit it and to surrender our will to him.
Prayer:
Dear Father, thank you for your word, your word is the lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. It leads and guides us through out our life. Thank you for Jesus - The Son Of God to whom we submit and surrender our will, our life, our thoughts and all our fears and worries. As the scripture says, caste your care upon him for he cares for you. We might have denied you like Peter, saying whatever the case is we will live for you, but would have denied at times, or we may even been like Judas, questioning as to why you did different things. But God forgive us, forgive us of our sins. Give us one more opportunity by your Grace and Mercy. Father Lord give us strength to overcome these thoughts of denial and betrayal in life, rather we look at the cross and say such was the love of our Lord Jesus, who died for me for my sins and for all the sins of the world, whoever turns from his sinful ways to him will be saved, delivered and forgiven. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ as the Lord, then he died and arose, he will be saved. Thanking for saving us Lord, bless this day.
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