Luke 22
COMMENTARY:
: 3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. (1525 “entered” [eiserchomai] means come in, go in, possession of a body, move into, or have part in.)
DEVOTION: Satan is walking around seeking those he can devour. He wants to squash the plan of God. It was impossible but he thought he had to try. He knows his time is short.
While Jesus was on the earth he tried to tempt HIM in the three areas that all human being are tempted: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life. He failed.
On that occasion Satan left Jesus for a more convenient time. He had not given up on hurting the plan of God for Jesus or the world. He wanted to have dominance over the people of the world.
Jesus stated in John 6: 70 that Satan entered into one of the twelve disciples. HE stated that HE had chosen this one disciple. HE knew who he was and what he was going to do. HE knew that Judas was more interested in money than in being a servant. HE knew that Judas was a follower because he thought Jesus was going to set up HIS kingdom right away. When that didn’t happen he chose to betray Jesus.
He entered into Judas on a couple of occasions. Once was before Passover when he met with the religious leaders that wanted to see Jesus dead. This is found in our current verse. They were glad to see him come. They agreed on a price and then Judas waited for an opportunity.
The second time was at the celebration of the LORD’S Supper with HIS disciples. In John 13: 2 we find that when the supper had ended the devil entered into the heart of Judas. Then in John 13: 27 where Jesus tells Judas to do what you are going to do quickly.
Judas had his opportunity because he knew they were going to the Garden of Gethsemane. He took those who wanted to kill Jesus to that spot and kissed Jesus to betray HIM.
Today we have some treasurers in Bible believing churches that are taking money from the offerings that are given to the LORD. I had treasurers in my three churches that were faithful in their duty. However, there was a treasurer in the area of my third church that took many thousands of dollars. Everyone needs to watch what control money has over their lives.
CHALLENGE: Even those who are in church on all occasions still might not be true followers of Jesus. We are commanded to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.
: 22 And truly the Son of man goes as it was determined but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed. (3724 “determined” [horizo] means ordain, to mark out the boundaries or limits, appoint, to be or become definitely decided and delineated in outcome or nature, or designate.)
DEVOTION: Before the foundation of the world the Godhead knew that man would fall into sin. Before the foundation of the world the Godhead knew that the beloved Son would come as the Messiah to take away the sins of the world. Before the foundation of the world the Godhead knew who would become believers. God knew all that would happen in the past, present and future before it happened.
We are to understand that Jesus who calls HIMSELF the Son of Man was the Messiah who came and died on the cross for our sins. HE was our substitute. HIS being our substitute was determined to happen at a certain time and in a certain place.
Nothing surprised Jesus. Nothing surprises God the Father. Nothing surprises the Holy Spirit. They all know the plan. Each has their individual responsibility. It sometimes is hard to understand but that is what the Bible teaches.
The disciples didn’t understand all that Jesus taught them. The Holy Spirit helped them understand. We are in the same position. There are many things that we still don’t understand but we have to rely on the Holy Spirit to help us understand that everything that happens to us as believers is for our good.
CHALLENGE: We should be able to say “Not my will but your will be done” to the Father. Have WE said it to HIM lately?
: 31, 32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren. (1994 “converted” [epistrepho] means return, change one’s beliefs, turn around, transitively, to turn to the worship of the true God, to bring back to the love and obedience of God, or to return.)
DEVOTION: One thing that Jesus was in relation to his disciples was honest. He told Peter the truth about what was happening in his life. There is an evil reign within this world. This evil reign is under the control of Satan and his demons.
The gospels tell us about demon possession. This demon possession is still happening today. There is a fight going on in our world in the spiritual realm. The evil angels are fighting the good angels. The battle is real.
Jesus was telling Peter that Satan wants to sift him as wheat. Our enemy wanted to get hold of Peter and use him for his work. Jesus tells Peter that HE prayed for him. HIS prayer for Peter was that his faith would not fail. HE told him that he would deny him. He would do the work of Satan. He would not be the witness he thought he was. Peter didn’t believe what Jesus was saying. He told HIM that he would never deny HIM. Jesus said he would do it three times before the cock crowed.
Peter did deny the LORD.
However, Jesus said that when he returned, he was to strengthen the brethren. Jesus knew in advance that Peter would repent. Once repentance had taken place, Peter would return to the LORD and preach the Word with power.
We are sifted as wheat is sifted by the enemy. We have an advocate. Our advocate is Jesus Christ. He is sitting on the right hand of God now. He told Peter he was praying for him. Jesus is in communication with the Father at all times. When Jesus prays for Peter, or us he gets a positive answer.
Our responsibility, after we have gone through a rough time, is to strengthen the brethren. Are we strengthening the brethren with our teaching and life? We are going to be sifted for us to learn to get closer to the Lord. Are we getting closer? Are we blaming God for all our problems? Are we bitter or better? Peter came out of this testing better. So should we!!
Is there any root of bitterness in our life over something that did happen or is happening to us? Have you lost a battle with sin? Claim this promise: Christ is praying for you.
CHALLENGE: Get rid of the bitterness and learn from what you are going through. Then teach others what you have learned.
: 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, you stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. (5610 “hour” [hora] means time, season, a certain definite time or season fixed by natural law and returning with the revolving year, moment, or instant.)
DEVOTION: The Bible states that “men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.” Here we find that this is true. Those who were coming to arrest Jesus were coming at night when HE wasn’t around a large crowd.
The religious leaders paid Judas to betray Jesus. He betrayed him with a kiss. So we find that many times it is a friend that betrays us rather than a stranger. The LORD warns us that people in our own family will be the ones to betray us. Just before the return of the LORD there is going to be more betrayal than ever before for those who are followers of the LORD.
There will be a manhunt for those who are believers. Satan wants to kill them all. He wants to put his mark on all those who will follow him and those who don’t receive the mark will not be able to even buy bread.
Jesus states that the group that came to arrest HIM came in the power of darkness. Satan and his angels work well in the darkness. Many more sins seem to be committed at night. There is a false belief that God doesn’t see what is happening in darkness. They think they are hiding for an omnipotent God. They think they can hide from an omnipresent God. They are lying to themselves. Satan is the father of lies so he is the one who helping or encouraging them to believe the lie.
God sees everything. God wants HIS followers to be the children of light. We are to cause the world to see the Light of the World is Jesus.
CHALLENGE: Don’t be like children of darkness. Jesus is the Light of the Word, spread HIS truth to all you know.
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