THE SMOOTH OPERATOR.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*THE SMOOTH OPERATOR.*

*Scripture Treasure.*

John 13:21-22 *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.*

*Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

There are people who may look pleasant in a way that may be intended to deceive people. They operate smoothly but dangerous.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray him. The Apostle John records that the disciples looked on one another, doubting of whom Jesus was speaking.

It is alarming and dangerous that agents of the devil can operate in our midst for so long, and they could remain undetected until God exposes them.

There are people who operate smoothly. They can be very relaxed, appear confident, and their deliveries may even be pleasant.

Jesus said the person whom He shall give a sop would betray Him, and He gave it to Judas, Jesus told Judas to do what he wanted to do quickly.

No one suspected Judas. The disciples even thought Jesus sent him to buy for the poor because he was the finance controller.

Judas operated in a silent and smooth deception. The more he walked with Jesus, the farther his heart was away from Him.

Judas's call was not recorded, but he obviously fell under Jesus's order of calling, John 6:70, and the only disciple who said the least word. He spoke once in Jesus's three and a half years' walk on earth.

John records Judas' only statement when he condemned the albaster oil used to anoint Jesus's feet as a waste, and Jesus rebuked him in John 12:2-7.

People like Judas will deceive the very elect, if Christ does not expose him, Matt 24:24

He was a smooth operator, subtle as a serpent Gen 3:1, and often a smooth talker. While John attributed the condemnation of the oil to Judas, Matthew 26:8-9 says that the other disciples were not happy and in their anger Matthew recorded them having said the same statement that Judas said in John 12:5.

It tells us that one can ignorantly share in other people's sin when one is deceived by their pretences. Jesus not only rebuked Judas, He also rebuked the other disciples.

Let us be careful and think before we find ourselves as partners in crime with other people's wrong motives and ideas.

Do not be partakers of other people's sins!

*Remorse corner.*

Judas, a smooth, devious ruse, had done more damage than he expected to have repairs done.

*Call to Word action.*

Judas had 'wasted' Jesus, who was more precious than the ointment itself. No wonder Jesus called him the son of perdition, John 17:12.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Jesus preferred Judas be lost in perdition and have the oil in remembrance of Him, John 12:5.

*Prayer.*

Lord, do not let me be deceived into sin, in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.