Read Matthew 26:47-50
Recognize the Signs and Guard Your Heart.
While Jesus was speaking with his disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, he mentioned how the time of his betrayal is at hand. He saw Judas coming with a multitude of people accompanying him. There were men with swords and clubs sent from the chief priest and the elders of the people. Judas told the multitude that whoever he kissed, then that is the one they are to cease, for it is Jesus. So Judas immediately approached Jesus, and said, “Hail Teacher!” The Greek word for HAIL is a JOYFUL greeting that you would use for a really good friend. Then Judas kissed Jesus like you would with a really good friend. Then Jesus responded by saying, “Friend, do what you have come for!” I found this interesting because Judas ACTED like Jesus was a good friend. Despite all the evil, Jesus still called Judas FRIEND. He still had a love for the man who betrayed him.
Judas had to have been so Money Hungry and so Bitter and Hateful toward Jesus to be able to go through so many evil steps to ensure the betrayal of Jesus was carried out. His heart was so selfish that it opened the door for Satan to enter his heart (Luke 22:3).
Once you open your heart to satan, then it’s amazing how evil plans and thoughts begin to explode, slong with all the behind the scene scheming! It can quickly get out of hand and ugly.
Perhaps we have all experienced being one who has attacked another, or perhaps we ourselves have been attacked.
Those who have been attacked, recognize the response of Jesus. He could still call Judas, “Friend.” In other words, he still had a love for Judas and Jesus did not let his heart be bitter and hateful. That’s true power!
If you were the one who’s attacking, recognize the signs:
1. Judas was accompanied by a multitude of people and had the support of the religious leaders. When we have someone we are against, we try and get people on our side. The more, the merrier. We feel empowered.
2. We may act all lovey dovey with a person we are against, but our heart is evil. Judas kissed the one he betrayed. Judas told the multitude to seize the one he kissed. Judas gave Jesus a joyful greeting. Judas called Jesus a respectful name. But there was nothing lovey dovey about his kiss. Nothing intimate when he said to seize him. Nothing buddy buddy with he called Jesus a respectful name.
Once you give Satan a foothold in your heart, things can get out of hand very quickly and you don’t even realize it.
RECOGNIZE the SIGNS and GUARD your HEART, ALWAYS!
