Up Close and Impersonal

There is not much told to us of the Wednesday of Passion Week. For the most part, the Bible is silent about the events of that day. 

But there is one thing we know. The plot to take Jesus’ life had begun.

In Luke 22:3 the Bible says, “And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.” The verse that follows tells us that Judas began to conspire with the chief priest and officers. 

Judas had become an instrument of Satan. He had become a tool of the enemy. Can you imagine how this happened? After all, Judas had walked with Jesus, talked with Jesus, and known Jesus up close. He traveled road after road with Jesus. Judas has witnessed miracles and healings; he had seen the signs. 

He listened to Jesus’ teaching. He heard the truth. His eyes had been exposed to the fulfilled prophecies of Jesus in the Old Testament. Yet somehow, Judas missed it. Somehow Judas failed to make Jesus personal. He may have known Jesus up close, but it was never personal or intimate for him. 

Perhaps Judas shared the motive of the Jews who were looking for a military leader. Perhaps Judas was frustrated that he never quite became as close to Jesus as Peter, James, and John. Regardless of the reason, Judas knew Jesus up close but certainly not personal.

What about you?

What kind of faith do you have? Do you have an intellectual knowledge of Jesus without a personal knowledge of Jesus? Do you know about the King of Kings and Lord of Lords or can you say you know Him intimately? What a tragedy it would be to have head knowledge but no heart knowledge. 

Spend a moment to take a spiritual inventory. Are you walking in surrender, faith, and trust? Are you an instrument for the glory and praise of Jesus? Or are you an instrument and tool of Satan?

If you do not know Jesus, I pray you will receive Him right now by repentance and faith. If you do know Jesus, I pray today you will love Him more deeply and serve Him more faithfully. 

Read Luke 22:1-13