If you were packing a box of apples and came across a bad one what should you do? You should remove it of course, before it affects the ones around it.
But why did Jesus deliberately pick one "bad apple" along with the other people He chose to teach and train?
When Jesus had spoken about Himself as being "the Bread of Life" many had thought He meant they would really have to eat His flesh and blood in order to have Eternal Life! Jesus corrected that error. (John 6:61-64.) His body was not for mankind to eat! (Acts 3:17-26.) His body was to be taken into Heaven and would never see decay. (Acts 2:31-36.) Anyway it is "'the Spirit gives Life; the flesh counts for nothing' He told them. (John 6:63.)
It is faith in Jesus, NOT feeding on Jesus, that brings Life to your soul. (John 6:35-40.) "'Yet,' Jesus said, 'there are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him." (John 6:63-65.) No one else had recognised the one "bad apple" among the disciples He had chosen.
A bad apple can sometimes look well on the outside, while being rotten inside. In the same way those who are not genuine followers of the Lord Jesus may fool us by a pleasing outward show, but eventually the rottenness will be seen! (Matthew 13:24-30. 15:8-9.)
Jesus went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless the Father has enabled him." (John 6:63-65.) You see, many claim to be followers of Jesus for various reasons, but only those whom God the Father brings to Christ will become His true followers. (John 17:6-12 .) They are the ones who come to Him alone for forgiveness and salvation. (John 6:36-48. 1:10-14. 14:6.)
When "many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him" Jesus said to the Twelve, 'You do not want to leave me too, do you?' Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of Eternal Life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.' (verses 66-69.)
GOD had taught Simon who Jesus was (Matthew 16:13¬17.), and he clearly understood that it was faith in His words, and not something to eat, that would give him Eternal Life. (John 20:31.)
Have you that direct faith in Jesus Christ as your Priest and Saviour? Not all of the Twelve disciples had!
Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (verses 70-71.) Later Judas would be clearly seen as the one "bad apple". His rottenness would be obvious when he would forsake Jesus, the Priest God would have drawn him to, and instead go along with other priests and be LOST. (John 17:12. Matthew 27:3-5.) Remember, it's not the company you keep, or the religion you have turned to, that can make you a true follower of Christ!
Judas had been put among the disciples so that he would have every opportunity to love and trust Jesus, yet he turned out to be "a devil"!
Read about this in John chapter 6, verses 64-71; but don't you end up being LOST like he did!
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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