Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 22:3, 22

Today's Favorite Verse: Luke 22:3, 22

"Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!"

I pondered on how prophesy of the Lord's death and resurrection had been foretold from the beginning. Did it mean Judas was destined to be the one to betray him? What I noticed is Judas allowed Satan to enter him and tempt him. There is still agency there. Satan has no power over us, unless we give it to him.

In fact Jesus, once gave all the disciples, including Judas the power to cast out devils.

"Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick." (Luke 9:1-2)

Jesus even told us that evil cannot cast out evil.

"And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?" (Matthew 12:26)

So it was not possible for Judas to be wicked from the beginning. The problem was overtime Judas let Satan tempt him and that is how he fell. His weakness was the love of money and he stole from the money bag. He broke the commandment "Thou shalt not steal."

"This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." (John 12:6)

All the apostles were being tempted. If it was not Judas, Satan would have continued until he found someone weak enough to do his bidding. Even Peter was being tempted.

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:"

(Luke 22:31)

There is protection in keeping the commandments. Keeping the commandment gives us power over the adversary.

Day 3154