“Our Daily Bread”
http://odb.org/2012/07/19/dorian-gray/
The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht
Psalm 41:9… Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me. (NKJV)
Yesterday I wrote about Jesus’ important, last minute teaching at “The Last Supper”; when Jesus demonstrated His humility, as He washed and dried the feet of His disciples… Christianity begins with being humbled…and must continue for the life of the Spirit filled Christian…
Being humbled to the fact that a person is a sinner, and can in no way save themselves…is step one in becoming a Christian… But love is at the very core of what makes up a Spirit filled Christian’s life; as the love of Christ permeates the heart, the mind, and the soul of a true follower of Christ…
The opening scripture was written by David, some 1000 years before Jesus was born; but it was a prophecy that Jesus knew all too well had to be fulfilled…when Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, just before He was arrested and hauled off to be tried and crucified on the cross at Calvary (Matthew 26:47-49)…
We see Jesus announce this prophecy, and that it had to be fulfilled…when Jesus tells His disciples almost the same words we see in the opening scripture, as written in…John 13:18… Jesus announced to His disciples, that one of the 12 sitting around Him at their last meal together was going to betray Him, in…John 13:21… Jesus even told the disciples which one it was going to be, in…John 13:26… Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. (NKJV)
We read in scripture that follows, that Jesus’ disciples still didn’t know that Judas was going to be the one who would betray Jesus (John 13:28-30)… But Jesus was giving Judas one last gesture, to show him that He loved him, even though Jesus knew that He would soon be betrayed…
You have to understand the culture of the times, to be able to recognize this love Jesus was about to show Judas, His enemy…right up to the time that Satan took charge of Judas… This is why I so enjoy reading the study notes John MacArthur writes, to help me better understand the scripture… My notes reveal that the host at a feast (this would be Jesus), would show their friendship, honor, and love for a person…by giving them the first piece of bread dipped into a common bowl of food, that was to feed the entire table…
As we read in the scripture above…this was “Judas Iscariot”… We then read this, as recorded by the apostle John, in…John 13:27… Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” (NKJV)… Judas then got up and left Jesus and His disciples…
It’s hard for me to understand how Judas could betray Jesus, after spending over 3 years with Him; and witnessing all the miracles that Jesus had performed… Judas received 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus; but Judas ended up hanging himself, after Jesus had been condemned to die (Matthew 27:5)…
Can you imagine showing someone love, even though you knew they hated you enough to have you put to death ?? Jesus showed Judas He still loved him right up to the end, by giving him that 1st piece of bread from the bowl… But Jesus was practicing what He had preached, way back at the beginning of His public ministry, when Jesus taught us this, in…
Matthew 4:43-44… “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” (NKJV)
All of us as Christian’s, should be able to look our enemy in the eye, and tell them that we love them, just Like Jesus commands us… But I am here to tell you, that this is impossible in our own strength… I know, because I failed at this test at least twice during the time that I had taken back control from the Holy Spirit… In my own strength, I lashed back twice to the same person, who was yelling in my face…2 different times… It is human nature (in my case my own flesh)…that won’t provide the strength to be able to respond to wrath with a soft answer, like the wise Solomon teaches us, in…Proverbs 15:1… A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (KJV)
Is it easy to love your enemy ?? I say it is impossible, without being totally controlled by the Holy Spirit… Just like Jesus, the Holy Spirit will at least urge you to respond to wrath with love… It is then up to you, to listen to your Helper (the Holy Spirit), and obey… Anything less will be sinning; and God will be free to chastise and/or scourge us, if we continue grieving the Holy Spirit…Hebrews 12:3-8… Here is the link for this important scripture… http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=heb12:3-8&version=NKJV
Heavenly Father, once again, we as Christian’s see another reason to be filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit… He will help us to love, even our enemies… Help all of us Lord, who claim to be Your children…to do our absolute best to confess and repent of our sins (1 John 1:9); so that we can walk in Your will and Your ways with the full power and help of the Holy Spirit, that You have given to all Christian’s… Help all of Your children Lord, to remain righteous in Your sight…so that the blessings You promise for Your obedient children will come to pass… I pray for this fullness of the Holy Spirit for all of Your children…in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…
written by bruce r mills
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