Passion Week: Wednesday Devotional
Wednesday Devotional
Satan Uses Judas
Welcome
It’s Wednesday of Passion Week, and Judas has just agreed to betray Jesus.
Luke’s account of Judas includes the spiritual realm, which sometimes we can be unaware of.
The Passion week story continues with Luke 22:3-6 (ESV):
Luke’s account of Judas includes the spiritual realm, which sometimes we can be unaware of.
The Passion week story continues with Luke 22:3-6 (ESV):
Scripture
3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. 6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.
Devotional
This is a difficult passage to read.
It is, however, a reminder of Ephesians 6:12 that says our battle is not against flesh and blood, ”but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
What we know for sure is that Judas was used by Satan to betray Jesus. In Luke 8:26-39, Jesus encountered a man whom “many demons had entered.” Paul warns in Ephesians 4:27 about giving a foothold or opportunity to Satan. Evidently, Judas had.
Later during Passover (which we will read about soon), Judas refers to Jesus as “Rabbi,” meaning teacher. This is not incorrect, for Jesus was certainly the disciples’ teacher. However, in Matthew’s gospel, we find a stark contrast between how Judas refers to Jesus and how the other disciples do.
For today, the encouragement is to guard your heart and put on the full armor of God so that you can withstand the enemy's schemes.
Be fortified with truth. God’s word is true. Read it. Do what it says. Commit it to memory. It is difficult to stand for something you do not know yourself.
Protect your heart with righteousness. You can protect your heart by doing what is right. When we allow sin to creep into our lives, we have to find ways to justify it or keep it hidden. It’s always best to simply do what’s right. When we fall, however, know that God is faithful to forgive. Don’t wallow; get up, turn from your sin, and continue pursuing Christ.
Guard against the enemy’s arrows with your faith in Jesus Christ. May your faith rest in the perfect work of Jesus, and not in a prayer you prayed or an aisle you walked. The power is in Jesus, who defeated sin and death!
Finally, rest in the security of the salvation Christ accomplished through the empty cross and tomb. We truly have freedom in Christ now, not to do whatever we want to, but free to serve the Lord and bring honor to him in all that we do.
It is, however, a reminder of Ephesians 6:12 that says our battle is not against flesh and blood, ”but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
What we know for sure is that Judas was used by Satan to betray Jesus. In Luke 8:26-39, Jesus encountered a man whom “many demons had entered.” Paul warns in Ephesians 4:27 about giving a foothold or opportunity to Satan. Evidently, Judas had.
Later during Passover (which we will read about soon), Judas refers to Jesus as “Rabbi,” meaning teacher. This is not incorrect, for Jesus was certainly the disciples’ teacher. However, in Matthew’s gospel, we find a stark contrast between how Judas refers to Jesus and how the other disciples do.
For today, the encouragement is to guard your heart and put on the full armor of God so that you can withstand the enemy's schemes.
Be fortified with truth. God’s word is true. Read it. Do what it says. Commit it to memory. It is difficult to stand for something you do not know yourself.
Protect your heart with righteousness. You can protect your heart by doing what is right. When we allow sin to creep into our lives, we have to find ways to justify it or keep it hidden. It’s always best to simply do what’s right. When we fall, however, know that God is faithful to forgive. Don’t wallow; get up, turn from your sin, and continue pursuing Christ.
Guard against the enemy’s arrows with your faith in Jesus Christ. May your faith rest in the perfect work of Jesus, and not in a prayer you prayed or an aisle you walked. The power is in Jesus, who defeated sin and death!
Finally, rest in the security of the salvation Christ accomplished through the empty cross and tomb. We truly have freedom in Christ now, not to do whatever we want to, but free to serve the Lord and bring honor to him in all that we do.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I am in awe of your love and your grace. Thank you for strengthening your children to be who you have created us to be. Help us to put on the full armor of God, and not allow Satan any room to work in our lives. We want to be used by you. Move in great power, and help us to be obedient to whatever you call us to.
I am in awe of your love and your grace. Thank you for strengthening your children to be who you have created us to be. Help us to put on the full armor of God, and not allow Satan any room to work in our lives. We want to be used by you. Move in great power, and help us to be obedient to whatever you call us to.
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