Not everyone is going to agree with the team Manager's choice. "I know those I have chosen," he said. (verse 18.) But one of His carefully selected team (Luke 6:12-16.) seemed to be a very foolish choice.
During one of His training sessions with His team, the Manager said "Have I not chosen you.. ? Yet one of you is a devil!" (John 6:70-71.) But why had He chosen one who was "a devil"?
Later, while having a special meal together, the team learned about a plot. Their Manager said, "He who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me. I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." (verses 1 8-19.)
One of this team was about to turn traitor. But the Manager already knew about this murder plot against Him, and was preparing the team for the awful event.
This Manager, who knew what the future held, was of course the Lord Jesus Christ, and the team of men were His disciples.
Would you say you were a supporter of His team? It is amazing how many people say they are, and yet they openly support the opponents!
Surely you know many who say they love Jesus, and who are often in church singing and praying and receiving sacraments, but at other times they support the opponents of Jesus!
For example, some of them will be quite happy to go on using bad language, and taking the Lord's name in vain, or telling lies. Some might even worship others instead of God ONLY, or may love using images, statues and pictures in their worship although God forbids all that. (Deuteronomy 4:15-16.) Others may steal, or hate, or be drunkards, or commit violence or adultery or even murder! (Exodus 20 3-17.) People who do these things are certainly NOT true supporters of the side of Jesus Christ; although they might claim to be! - They support the opponents of Jesus! Maybe you are one of those people yourself! There was one among the twelve disciples!
The men "stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them He meant...." (verse 2 2.) Then one of them asked, "Lord, who is it?"
"It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." He gave it to Judas Iscariot, and said, "What you are about to do, do quickly." Jesus knew Judas was still planning to go against Him even although Jesus had chosen him, and shown him such love and kindness to the very end. Judas went out, and it was night. (verses 22-30. John 15:25.)
Judas choose to be prompted and led by the devil, instead of by Jesus! How foolish to have chosen to walk in such DARKNESS, and go on to destruction! (John 12:44-46. 17:12.) Please don't you follow his example. YOU can have no excuse for rejecting Jesus Christ as the one and only Priest to forgive you and turn you from evil and the Evil One. Trust in Jesus NOW, BY FAITH to be your Priest and Saviour, and then you will truly be a supporter of Jesus' side; a true member of His team. (John 1:10-13. Hebrews 2:9-18.)
Read of Judas' evil choice in John chapter 13, 18-30.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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