Scripture to Read: John 13:2
Jesus and the disciples were having the Passover meal together. As God led the Apostle John to write, we read in John 13:2, During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him. We know Jesus loved all of His disciples, and His love would have included Judas Iscariot. The problem was that Judas Iscariot never chose to surrender to and love our Lord. God, as Father, Son, and Spirit, is Omniscient, so He knew all along what Judas Iscariot would do, but that never stopped Him from loving him. We will never understand the fullness of God’s sovereignty, but we can trust Him, that through His Spirit (John 16:8–11) He is convicting every lost soul to draw them to Himself so they would surrender to Him as Lord. We know our Lord loves every soul and desires every soul to know Him. He tells us in 1 Timothy 2:3–4, This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Then, God tells us in 2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. There’s no doubt of God’s work in the lives of all mankind, but Satan also does all he can to keep people from Christ (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). Judas had been blinded and chose to remain blind.
Challenge & Application
• How do we know God loves everyone and desires all to be saved?
• How does God want to use us to help others know of His love and forgiveness?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!