The day before, the disciples and the crowds enjoyed a
miraculous meal; five loaves of bread and two small fishes fed a multitude. Later
that evening, caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee ,
the disciples saw Jesus and one of their own, Peter, walk on water. Now, once
again Jesus and the disciples found themselves surrounded by a crowd of thrill
seekers in search of another miracle. When pressed to produce another
spectacular sign, Jesus delivered a bone chilling discourse. Anyone wishing to
follow Him had to eat His flesh and drink His blood. Those who came for a happy
meal got a stomach turner. Many, including some of His own called it quits that
day and left. He then questioned the Twelve’s commitment to stick with Him and
in verse seventy Jesus made this startling statement, “Yet one of you is a
devil!”
It’s curious that the same disciples who’d argue about which
one of them would be the greatest in the kingdom were strangely silent on this
issue. Why would Jesus tolerate a devil in His close circle of friends? Why
allow a traitor to handle the ministry finances? To my way of thinking, Judas
shouldn’t have been in the group; but then, I don’t always think the way Jesus
does.
Jesus said He had hand picked each of the Twelve. Was Judas
a devil from the beginning or was this a more recent development? The Bible
doesn’t say. Still the question remains. Why would Jesus keep a traitor as a
friend and confident? The answer may be in the Parable of the Wheat and the
Tares.
A man planted wheat in his field and later discovered that
an enemy crept in and planted tares also. When this was discovered, the owner of the field instructed his servants to do nothing. If the tares were uprooted, the wheat
would be damaged and the harvest diminished. Jesus must have realized that to
remove Judas would have been detrimental to the other eleven.
Although Jesus knew Judas’ true allegiance, He permitted him
to remain. If Jesus said the man was a devil, then he was. Jesus wasn’t afraid;
He demonstrated no fear with His enemy in close proximity. As far as He was
concerned, satan was already defeated. It was all over except the crying. Now
He had an opportunity to drive satan crazy.
I wonder if Jesus could literally see the devil cringe every
time He spoke the truth. Could He see satan squirm and writhe in agony as He
systematically dismantled sickness, disease and death? What fun! Any devil who
lived that close to Jesus was in his own version of hell on earth- sweet!
Besides, Jesus was unwilling to give up on any one, including Judas.
We’ll find ourselves in this same predicament. There will
always be those influenced by demonic forces around us. This is no reason to
run and hide. It’s an opportunity to stand our ground and face them head on.
They’re the losing team that showed up, not us. There’s always the possibility
they may choose to switch and join the winning side. That’s a chance
worth taking.
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