"The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking."
Can you imagine the horrible feelings they would have had as in shock they heard the words, "Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me." The pang that would have gone through their hearts! The bewilderment they would have felt! They had spent so long with their Beloved Master and had left everything dear to follow after Him... everything known to follow Him into the unknown. They had grown to love Him more than anyone in the world. To those who loved their Master, it would have been the most painful, piercing word, and each one would have desperately searched to the innermost of their hearts to see where such deception lay. Each wondered in alarm if it was them... yet how could it? For they loved Him dearly!
Now, Jesus knew what was in the heart of men... and He knew fully well the honest love His dear friends had for Him. He knew that in their hearts was no desire to do evil against Him. He knew there was only one in their midst who had evil intent toward Him. Yet He made the statement in front of everyone and for what reason? Why did they all have to be thrust into such a painful state of heart and mind?
It produced the effect of an intense feeling in their hearts to bring about a soul-searching... and in that moment I am sure... that never had they felt such a deep love for Jesus. So in the moment when Judas determined that he truly did not love God and did not want any part of Him... the other disciples were realizing that there was none other they would rather serve with their lives.
Even though these disciples did stumble and fall for a time, each came back with humble and repentant hearts to God because there was no other course they would rather pursue... no other person they'd rather serve. They had realized that Jesus was indeed the Son of the Living God and they loved Him more than life itself.
Have we been tested in this way yet? Has a question been posed in our hearts that would make us search to the depths whether or not we truly love our Lord?
God bless you all!
In Christ, Miriam
3 comments:
Such a humbling reminder of the mercy of God..."slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" towards us :) <3
Such a humbling reminder of how God is "slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" towards us--even when we stumble and fall :) <3
Miriam, I was just thinking about this same story last night, after watching "Peter" on Netflix. I was convicted last night by the movie, but your post really convicted me!
I'm asking myself, "do I love God as much as I should?" I am going to spend more time with Him, so that I will fall in love with Him even more! Thanks!
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