Wednesday November 08th, 2023
« “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray Me” »
19 Then He took a loaf of bread, gave thanks, broke it in pieces, and handed it to them, saying, “This is my Body, which is given for you. Keep on doing this in memory of Me.”
20 He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant sealed by my Blood, which is being poured out for you.
21 Yet look! The hand of the man who is betraying Me is with me on the table!
22 The Son of Man is going away, just as it has been determined, but how terrible it will be for that man by whom He is betrayed!”
23 Then they began to discuss among themselves which one of them was going to do this.
A kiss is a very intimate show of affection and it is usually not cheap to give or receive, one would then wonder why Judas Iscariot decide to use a kiss as the code to betray Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:48-50).
For one, Psalm 41:9 CEV had to be fulfilled.
« My most trusted friend has turned against me, though he ate at my table. »
We must learn that the word of God will forever be fulfilled.
Another lesson from what necessitated Judas’ betrayal code was the leadership style of Jesus Christ.
He was obviously very close to His disciples.
There was no distinction between Him and His subordinates- no class boundaries, no differentiation.
As a matter of fact, He washed their feet.
Whoever saw Jesus washing His disciples’ feet could have mistaken Him for a ‘servant of servants’.
Whatever He did, He empowered His disciples to do also.
What a lesson for Christian leaders!
Leaders must also be extremely careful of close associates without being necessarily suspicious.
This is because out of twelve disciples, there usually would be one ‘Judas Iscariot’.
The truth is, more often than not, there is always a need for a Judas for the fulfilment of God’s purpose for a leader’s life.
This is a bitter truth, but it must be told.
There is however, a kiss that betrays, not someone else, but your very self!
For example, when you intimately kiss a person who is not your spouse, you have betrayed your spirit man and empowered the flesh.
Apostle Paul says that we should abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22) he says further in 1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV
« All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up »
In Romans 14:21AMB, he also says
« It is good [to do the right thing and] not eat meat or drink wine, or do anything that offends your brother/sister and weakens them spiritually »
May you neither be sold or sell yourself by a kiss of betrayal, in the name of Jesus.
Prayer focus – Father please give me grace to run from sexual temptations, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Author: Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it .
Spread the love of Christ by clicking on the ♥
Copingwords@gmail.com
