THE STORY OF JESUS: John 6:66-71
“Yet one of you is a devil (a slanderer)!” (John 6:70)
It became clear to Judas that Jesus was not his kind of messiah.
Judas wanted to be there when the messiah trounced the Romans.
He was looking for a royal position, and royal wealth.
Judas was the treasurer of their group, and he would steal money (John 12:6).
He thought he was getting away with it, but Jesus knew.
Jesus also knew that Judas was murmuring against Him.
He was saying accusatory, even slanderous things, against Jesus.
This is what the adjective ‘diabolos’ really means, “a slanderer”.
Jesus is not calling Judas Satan, but does say that he is doing his work.
He said the same thing about the religious leaders (John 8:44).
When I lie, or cheat, or gossip, or mock, I am doing diabolical things.
Taking a stand for Jesus also means taking a stand against the devil’s works.
Do I long to be like Jesus… do I hate when I do things like Satan?
Either we are for Jesus, or against Jesus… which way shall I lean?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I hate the thought that being selfish, greedy, unfair, critical, makes me like the devil. I want to follow You, not Satan. To be for You, not against You!