But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. John 6:64.
While Jesus was preparing the disciples for their ordination, one who had not been summoned urged his presence among them. It was Judas Iscariot, a man who professed to be a follower of Christ…. Judas believed Jesus to be the Messiah; and by joining the apostles, he hoped to secure a high position in the new kingdom….
The disciples were anxious that Judas should become one of their number. He was of commanding appearance, a man of keen discernment and executive ability, and they commended him to Jesus as one who would greatly assist Him in His work…. The after history of Judas would show them the danger of allowing any worldly consideration to have weight in deciding the fitness of men for the work of God….
Yet when Judas joined the disciples, he was not insensible to the beauty of the character of Christ. He felt the influence of that divine power which was drawing souls to the Saviour…. The Saviour read the heart of Judas; He knew the depths of iniquity to which, unless delivered by the grace of God, Judas would sink. In connecting this man with Himself, He placed him where he might, day by day, be brought in contact with the outflowing of His own unselfish love. If he would open his heart to Christ, divine grace would banish the demon of selfishness, and even Judas might become a subject of the kingdom of God.
God takes men as they are … and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and learn of Him. They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image.
Judas had the same opportunities as had the other disciples. He listened to the same precious lessons. But the practice of the truth, which Christ required, was at variance with the desires and purposes of Judas, and he would not yield his ideas in order to receive wisdom from Heaven.
Conflict and Courage p. 285
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for the families and victims in the terrible Seventh-day Adventist bus crash in Mexico where 17 died and 26 injured. Rose
—–Urgent prayer need for Jerry who was in an accident yesterday and is in critical condition with a head injury. Please pray for his Jerry’s recovery! Teresa
—–I’m in need of prayer my son is getting surgery done for a rectal biopsy and upper endoscopy today. He only two and I’m scared. I know I shouldn’t worry or have any fear but it’s hard. I need the Lord to give me strength and be in the surgery room. Helen
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Dear Friends,
From the time I was six until I went to live with my mother, a friend named Gary and I played together nearly every day. He lived several blocks away, but was, from the age of five, allowed to come to my house to play. His parents were nearly as old as my grandparents, and were probably glad to have somebody for him to play with so they could have a little peace and quiet.
Over the years we liked each other like it is normal for children to do. We made plans to begin dating when we were older and eventually get married. It sounded so wonderful to a lonely little girl’s heart. We talked about what we would become when we grew up. Since he wanted to be an architect, he would draw up plans for our house. He even decided on the colors for the various rooms. I did not think his choice of chartreuse and orange was something I wanted in the bedroom, however, and we spent quite a bit of time discussing that. He won.
Lincoln school was right across the street from my house and as I grew older, we were allowed to play there. One day, as we were by the playground, Gary saw some girls he knew. As they drew closer, his whole demeanor began to change. He completely ignored me and began talking to them. When they asked him who I was, he introduced me as his cousin. I was devastated. I was heartbroken. I felt betrayed. After the girls left, Gary tried to rationalize his actions. It did no good. I knew that he was ashamed of me. Our friendship cooled considerably after that.
How often we do the same to our Loving Saviour and break His Great Heart of Love. How many times we wound Him by acting as though we are ashamed of our Best Friend Who gave His life for us. Instead of introducing our Great Redeemer to others, we so often pretend like we don’t even know Him and try to rationalize away our denial by thinking that we must “fit in” in order to witness. Jesus warns, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 10:32,33 Paul tells us, “if we deny him, he also will deny us.” 2 Tim 2:12 Solemn words! Words that have eternal consequences.
Even if we think that we would never deny our Lord, we are in danger of doing so. That was Peter’s experience. When Jesus told His disciples that they would deny Him, Peter stood up and proclaimed that although everyone else would deny Him, he never would. “But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.” Mark 14:29-31 Peter could not believe it when Jesus revealed to him his future betrayal, but when he was “backed into a corner,” he denied his Master with cursing and swearing. He denied the One Who was giving His life for him. As soon as Peter denied Jesus, he “remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.” Matt 26:75 That was the start of a new life for Peter. From that moment he stood firm for his Saviour no matter what the consequences might be.
May we never deny our Dear Saviour in any way, for if we did, we would break His Great Heart of Love. May we ever confess that we know Him even if by doing so, we have to endure persecution or ridicule. May we to draw near to God, putting our trust in Him, declaring all His wonderful works, His marvelous grace, His unchanging truth to all around us is my prayer.
Rose

Judas, Self-Seeking Disciple