Monday Morning Encouragement - Walking in Darkness or Walking in Light?


"So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately;
 and it was night."
John 13:30


In the thirteenth chapter of John, we see Jesus is in the upper room with His disciples. He has washed their feet -- even the feet of Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray Him -- as an example of how the disciples are to serve one another. He reveals that He will be betrayed and John asks, at the urging of Peter, which one of them it is. Jesus answers, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” And He serves the morsel to Judas. 

It's worth noting that Jesus had seated Judas to His left, which was the place of honor. Also, serving a piece of dipped bread to a favored guest was a Jewish custom. So, in every respect Jesus was still attempting to reach Judas -- to save him -- despite the fact that the Lord knew Judas would betray Him.


"Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into [Judas]. Therefore Jesus said to him, 'What you are going to do, do quickly.'” (v. 27). 

Ray Steadman writes: "But Judas still had a chance to retreat. Jesus would never have tried to reach him had he not still had an opportunity to recover at this point. When Jesus gave him the morsel, and Judas took it and ate it without a word or a sign of repentance or remorse, he passed the point of no return." 

And then Judas departed into the night. How symbolic. For Judas to turn away from the Lord and go his own way, was to leave The Light and walk into darkness. And it was in darkness that Judas would die by his own hand. 

Later when John writes to the churches he addresses the contrast between walking in darkness and walking in light:
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7)

I can't help but wonder if John was thinking of Judas when he wrote those words.


Today's music video Light of the World is sung by the African Children's Choir. I hope you will enjoy watching these beautiful children present this worship song, as much as I did. They brought tears to my eyes.




I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.





10 comments

  1. The story of Judas always facinates me. How closely we can walk in his steps if we're not careful, and betray the Lord with our actions and talk. The sermon last week was on Judas and I always seem to pick up a new morsel to think about whenever I read or hear anything about him.
    What a week this is. And what a day Sunday will be! Hallelujah! What would our lives be like without Him rising from the tomb for us?
    Blessings and hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. I can't imagine life without Him, Betsy! Have a great week! xo

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  2. Their faces certainly do speak the truth of the words they sing.

    Thank you for this blessing,
    Dewena

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    1. I agree, Dewena. Those children are so sweet. Glad you enjoyed the music. xo

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  3. When all His people are called home and the ones with a talent in singing and music join together in unity . . . how glorious it will be. Oh, the praising, the worshiping and the feasting that will be going on is something that I am truly looking forward to. A celebration of life enteral with our Lord, Hallelujah!
    That's how I picture heaven.

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  4. It always did amaze me the story of Judas and how powerful Satan could be. I think it is poetic to that he left the light of Jesus to darkness with Satan Thanks for sharing this Nancy. Have a good evening.

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  5. Our sermon on Sunday was about betrayal starting off with Judas and the fact that Jesus gave him time to repent and believe but once he left the room his fate was sealed. Happy Easter week to you.

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  6. He is not willing that ANY should perish! Thank God for that!

    Have a wonderful Easter week. As Billy Sunday said, "It may be Friday, but Sunday's coming!"

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  7. Hei, vierailen täällä ensi kertaa. Olen iloinen kun löysin blogisi, koska se kertoo Jeesuksesta. Tuo oli minulle uutta, että paikka, jossa Juudas istui, oli kunniapaikka. Siunausta sinulle:)

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