Knowing Our Enemy's Tricks - Judas

Satan is a pretty nasty guy and was going to try everything to stop people from believing in God's plan. He was going to make it as miserable for Christ and others as much as possible. He knew what his destiny was and he knew the only thing you could do was to bring people down with him. We need to remember those times when Satan tried in his own power to prevent others to know the will of God in order for us to be more aware of his tricks in our own lives.

The next three posts I am going to be asking three questions in order to focus more on the "opportune time" according to Luke 4:13 that Satan sought to "mess" with God's plan:

1) Who or what Satan used?

2) How does Jesus respond?

3) What is applicable to me?

 

1) Who or what Satan used?

 

Judas - Read John 13:2-5, 18-30 and Luke 22:47-48

 

Judas was a greedy guy. He liked money. It was his weak spot which enabled him to draw away from Jesus. Satan knew that and was able to entice him with 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus.

 

Judas also lingered around and participate in the Passover. How hurtful was that for Jesus (v 21) even though He knew Judas was His betrayer.

 

When Judas also came with the chief priests and guards, he betrayed Jesus with a kiss. It was the way he identified Jesus from the others to those who were arresting Him. I don't know about you but to betray someone that you have associated with on a personal and intimate level with a kiss is pretty low.

 

2) How does Jesus respond?

 

It is always important to remember that God was still ultimately in control. And Jesus knew that. As it states in verse 3 of John 13, Jesus knew that everything was from the Father's hands was given to Him. He served God's purpose even if Judas was going to betray Him. Jesus' focus was always to do the Father's will despite what was wrong in the world's eyes.

 

Jesus, knowing Judas was going to betray Him, He still showed him love and how to be a servant by washing his feet. Imagine being Judas and Jesus doing this servant-like act for him. I wonder if he had guilt but pushed it aside because he was living only for himself. Jesus didn't care. He was an example to all no matter what Judas was planning to do.

 

At the table, Jesus tells everyone that someone was going to betray Him. He actually made it pretty obvious too (v 26) but the disciples were still pretty clueless. But He did this so that when Judas did betray Him, the disciples would remember that which would further give God the glory. It would remind them that Jesus was God and He was still ultimately in control. I just love Jesus' example of constantly wanting to glorify the Father despite what Satan tried to do.

 

In verses 21 and 26-27 Jesus is not afraid to call Judas out in front of everyone. What he was going to do was sin. Jesus was upfront about it and called sin as sin. There was no downplaying it. He kept Judas accountable to what he was going to do. I cant imagine how he felt when Jesus called him out. It is crazy how one sin can get someone so deep into trouble where they don't have a conscious.

 

When Judas comes into the garden to betray Jesus with a kiss, Jesus still shows him love by calling Judas friend (Matt 26:50). It was like He was giving him an opportunity to change his mind even though Jesus still knew the outcome. He knew Judas was apart of that outcome. He was basically saying go ahead and do what you have come to do. Jesus always focused on the Father's will.

 

3) What is applicable to me?

 

Satan knows where he is going. Satan knew that he was going to be overcome. His ultimate goal is to bring us down. Just like Judas, he sees our weaknesses and will use them against us to tempt us to go against God. What is an area you need to identify that is your weak spot that Satan continues to use against you that prevents you from fully glorifying God?

 

Also we need to be motivated by God's love and the knowledge that He is in control when we are attacked in our weak spot. We need to reconnect with God's purpose and will for our lives as Christians. When we do that, we are not allowing ourselves to become weak and give leeway to Satan.

 

Something also to think about concerning Judas and Satan was that he was not a believer. I know that all of us know someone who isn't a believer. They are not God's. Their hearts and free reign for Satan to mess with because the things of God is foolishness to the unbeliever. He knows this too and will try everything to keep that person from coming to Christ. But he also could try to keep you from telling that person about Christ or even just be an example to them. It is all about the heart and Satan knows that.

 

I hope you enjoyed this and please come back next Tuesday for my last "opportune time" with Satan

Also here is an awesome sermon if you want anything more extra to think about by John Piper.

visiting with Jennifer #tellhisstory, Holley coffee for your heart, and Jo Thankful Thursday