1-18-2024

Good Morning All,

          John 13:27; “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

      In 1973, the movie “The Exorcist” was released. It was a horror film about the demonic possession of a young girl. There were all sorts of events. The young girl floated over her bed, she spoke in different tongues or languages. When the priest came into her room, she projectile vomited all over him. The bed shook, the house shook, people dying everywhere. That is what most of us think of when we hear the phrase “Satan entered into him.” Yet that is probably not anywhere near the norm. We would really take notice if any of these events, or anything close to these events, were to occur. I am pretty sure I would remember seeing someone levitating over their bed.

    Many think that Judas must have looked different when this happened. Surely, he had the demonic sneer that we see in the movies to let us know that evil is afoot. Yet, apparently, that is not so. The disciples just assumed that he had a task to fulfill, and he was doing it. Remember, Jesus would send his disciples off on tasks at other times, why would they think any different now. No, Judas did not look any different, but his heart was now led by the devil.

     Why did Judas betray Jesus? From a spiritual and biblical view, it was part of the plan of salvation. Remember Jesus said “the Son of Man must be handed over to the chief priests…” But on a human level, why? Was it greed? Perhaps, but Judas later threw the money back. Did he have some other plan? Perhaps, he thought he could cause a riot among the people to free Jesus, rid the Romans, and restore the nation of Israel. Or, perhaps, some other sinful desire led to the betrayal.

    That is what it really means, when “Satan enters the heart” it is about following your sinful desires. When you misuse God’s Name, Satan has entered your heart. When you despise or neglect God’s Word, Satan has entered your heart. When you despise your parents, wish some harm would come to another person, lie about them, covet their belongings, Satan has entered your heart. When a couple decides to live together rather than marry, Satan has entered their heart. Satan entering your heart is about you sinning and your sins are as great as Judas’ sins.

    But God beheld our wretched state and sent His Son to be the substitute for our debt. Jesus bore the weight of every sin on his back so that we would not have to bear them, for we cannot. In Jesus, there is forgiveness, so repent, tell Satan to “go away” and cling to the Savior as he shields us and keeps us safe in his loving arms. Beware, Satan seeks those whom he may devour; trust Jesus to keep you safe.

Gracious Father, far too often we fall into Satan’s trap. Forgive us and cleanse us. Keep us safe in your loving arms, strengthen our faith that we may always seek our shelter in You. Be with those who are especially under attack from the devil. Shield them with your might. In the precious Name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret