WISDOM FOR TODAY.
THE ENEMY IS CLOSE!
Scripture Treasure.
Luke 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
Insight and Highlight.
The enemy is close, beware!
Scripture Commentaries.
Your enemy is not far from you, Psalm 41:9.
He needs to be close and possibly a relation to be able to operate successfully.
Judas was with Jesus for three years and a half.
He had everything at his disposal to operate. An insider and one that was strategically located knowing where Jesus was at any time.
John 18:2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.
Jesus was not unsuspecting, John 6:64 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.
Jesus resolutely knew that someone would betray Him and knew He had come to die to redeem the people from their sins, Matt 1:21.
Judas needed to be close to Jesus in order to kiss Him as a sign of the betrayal.
The relative closeness of the two was one factor, and the personal relationship facilitated the contact by kiss Matt 26: 48-49.
Though Judas was always mentioned last, he was noted to have invaded Jesus's space in order to give him a kiss (cheek-to cheek) though deceitful, Luke 22:48.
The closer he moved with Jesus, the farther his heart went from Jesus.
He is noted as the only disciple who never referred to Jesus as Lord, but only as 'Rabbi' (compare Peter in John 6:68 and Judas in Matt 26:25, 48-49).
A person who is close to his master but also close to an enemy will betray his master. Likewise, a friend close to you but also close to the enemy is not your friend but a frenemy.
Matt 26:14 says Judas went to the chief priest to negotiate Jesus's betrayal.
Satan will have direct access to such people because their minds are already made up for Satan, John 13:27.
The enemy is close, beware!
Remorse corner.
The enemy is close to you as he is close to Satan.
Call to Word action.
God knows your enemy, so it is important you know your enemy too,
John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
The Christian clarion.
Every enemy deserves a curse, Mark 14:21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good, were it for that man if he had never been born.
Prayer.
Lord, help me to ward off every enemy presence or attack in my life. No matter how close the enemy may be, let them be far from me, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and be blessed as you come into His presence today
God bless you.