I’ve always loved the Thursday of the Passion Week. It was a time when Jesus would gather his closest followers and share his future. When I think of the disciples I think of normal people that God used miraculously. I can think back on gathering with my friends in a social setting. There was always a loud one, a quiet one, an organizer, a complainer about organizing, a server, a needy one for attention, a smart one with all the answers…etc. I see the disciples in the same light. There were fishermen, a doctor, a tax collector, a carpenter…etc. Jesus had called people just like you and me to carry out His ministry.
As I was reading scripture for this devotion, I came across a passage I don’t remember reading before-
Luke 22:3-4- New International Version
3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.
This passage sent chills up and down my spine. I knew that Judas was the betrayer. I knew that he had an evil plan to help arrest Jesus. But verse 3 says, “Then Satan entered Judas..” How in the world could someone like that be in the inner circle of Jesus? Could the other disciples not have noticed things about Judas before? Why would Jesus allow Satan to be in the middle of this group?
Then I look at my life. How many times did I let Satan in? Because of Jesus, he won’t enter me like he did Judas. But how many times have I stood to lead or prepare to serve and my focus was not on Jesus? It made me realize there are 2 choices. Either I’m focused on Jesus or I’m focused on Satan. We like to sugarcoat it and say we get caught up in “the world.” But what are we really saying? Why does Jesus still include me when I make bad choices?
Here are my thoughts. Jesus had a plan. Jesus had a plan to use His disciples in a great way. Jesus allowed Judas in the room to let them see the bigger picture. Remember at the time they didn’t understand what he was saying. But when they looked back, just as we do, they would see the purpose in all these events. Jesus wants us to remember.
But I think there’s more. Jesus has a plan for all of us- the carpenters, the fishermen, the loud ones, the organizers…etc. He has a plan for us just like He did for the disciples. Part of it is to go, serve, preach…etc. But His plan is not to share your gifts, abilities, personality…etc. His plan is to do all in Remembrance of Him.
Just like the disciples, Jesus is calling us to remember the sacrifice he made for our sins, to associate with His suffering on the cross, to be holy and set apart, and to keep Satan from our lives. To lift Him, then He will draw all men and sinners will be converted.
On this Thursday allow Jesus to set you apart, to associate with His sufferings and do all things in Remembrance of Him.
