April 28“Who Is it?”

John 13:25-30 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 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. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him, 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 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. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
 
LUKE also records this moment with these words: Luke 22:19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
   See in this moment how we must be alert for Satan’s schemes. Even as Jesus was beginning the New Testament of grace with Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper), Satan was acting to disrupt Jesus’ intimae, sacrificial promise. Judas received the bread to betray the Bread of Life. He left Jesus’ presence to be present with evil.
   And that is our choice. We either choose to be with Jesus, or we choose to oppose Jesus. We receive life. Or we receive death. That is what happened in the Garden of Eden. It happened with Cain, Esau, Joseph, Jacob, King Saul (1 Samuel), David and others. To these men God had effectually said, “Be Mine. Come, follow me. Obey My commands. Live in my strength and joy.” But each turned their ears to Satan. Some chose to remain lost from God’s promise forever. Others repented and were forgiven to return to the Lord. The Deceiver works to weaken our faith. He gives us excuses and selfish reasons to go out into the “night” of destruction.
   See then, how Satan deceived the disciples. Jesus had just identified his betrayer “is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” He openly gives the bread to Judas. He tells Judas to go, but the disciples don’t understand. Before their eyes is the answer to their question. Still his disciples do not understand.
   Let’s us be attentive to the tempter’s persistent desire to break our communion with Jesus. Listen closely. Understand clearly what the Lord is telling you. Remember Jesus has given his body and blood for you. Remain faithful to his intimate communion with you.
 
Prayer: Teach me, Savior, of your great love, your true commands and your unyielding righteousness. I want to live your words in my heart. Amen.