Scripture to Read: John 13:18
As Jesus spoke to His disciples, He knew Judas was the one who would betray Him. Jesus loved Judas and sought to reach him with His love, mercy, and forgiveness, but Judas was unwilling to repent and follow Jesus as his Lord. Jesus said in John 13:18, “I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’” Jesus chooses all of us, for He had chosen Judas. Some will read into this Scripture and say that Judas was not one of the chosen ones, but that is not what Jesus said. Jesus said He knew everything about each one He had chosen. He knew before the foundation of the world that He would choose Judas, but He also knew that Judas would be unwilling to choose to follow Him as Lord. Then, Jesus quoted the prophecy in Psalm 41:9, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.” This is further evidence that Jesus is omniscient (all-knowing) and that we can trust in His sovereign will. Jesus knew what He had come to do and that He would be the perfect sacrifice, paying the price for all sins for all time. As Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, He was preparing them for what was about to happen to Him. God uses His Word to speak to us; that’s why we must be in His Word daily!
Challenge & Application
• How has our Lord spoken to you today through His Word, and how will you walk in what He is teaching you?
• How comforting is it to know that Jesus chose you long before you ever chose to follow Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!