THE BETRAYAL WILL BENEFIT YOU

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”.....Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. ( John 13: 21, 26-27)

Judas was one of the chosen 12 desciples of Jesus Christ. Trusted enough to keep the money purse. Yet, despite his closeness to the Master, the devil (satan the thief), was able to access and work through him to accomplish his evil machinations.  In our scripture narrative above, Jesus gave an indication of an impending betrayal. He knew that one of His carefully chosen, and trained desciples will sell him out, yet He loved them and went ahead to have the last super with them. The motive of satan, is stated clearly in John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."‌‌ But we know that God works out His grand sovereign redemptive plan, even through the devices of the wicked one.

IF ONLY SATAN KNEW that his betrayal will ultimately benefit Jesus, he wouldn't have orchestrated this wicked plan. This betrayal set the tone for Jesus' painful and shameful death on the cross. But, God raised him up from the dead on the 3rd day. This resurrection victory earned Jesus the name above all names, and a seat at God's right hand.

Dear People of God,

We sometimes go through such painful betrayals, most often from our trusted inner circle of friends & family.‌‌ Oh, how we sometimes wish we knew the motives behind their mischief! Or what exactly we did, to warrant such stabbing at the back & wickedness.‌‌ Whatever their motives, our God always turns it for our good, as He did for Joseph, when his own brothers sold him. The betrayal benefitted Joseph and he made this declaration before his brothers:  "As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20 RSV)

My Dear friend, When the Lord vindicates, validates, glorifies, and turns the betrayal to your benefit & blesses you.‌‌ PLEASE STRIVE TO FORGIVE those who plotted evil against you, sold you out, mistreated, judged, betrayed, almost killed, stabbed, and hurt you.‌‌ Though they may not ever apologise, consider how far the mercies of the Lord has brought you, and forgive; FOR THE BETRAYAL SHALL SURELY BENEFIT YOU.

Let me end with the Methodist Hymn 538: 3  -  "Are we weak and heavy-laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Saviour still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer; Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?‌‌Take it to the Lord in prayer; In His arms He’ll take and shield thee. Thou wilt find a solace there. "

#inspirationalNaa✨🕊️