Without A Shadow Of A Doubt
Have you ever been so sure of something that you’d almost bet the house? You knew that you knew-that you knew-for sure? You’d promise, swear, bet, slam your hand on the table, look square in the eye of whomever you were convincing...and say, “Without a shadow of a doubt!” you were so sure you’d say, “Not me! I will NEVER do that!”…
Have you ever?
How did that go for ya?
I’ll admit to my share of eating crow- hand raised high here! And of course I try not to ever say never, it always seems to come back on me.
So, imagine how ol’ Judas felt.
But, let’s back up just a minute first. We all know that part of the story, but I found something interesting during my study, which included the tale in four books. I’ll list them at the bottom, but notice this, John has a little different addition to his version. Of course he has to add the part of him leaning on Jesus and being the favorite, and that’s all fine and dandy...I can’t say that I wouldn’t want that to be noted myself! I might even pride myself in the following notation too…John 13:27 “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. (28) Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.”
(insert “wow” emoji)
Case and point to where the sins of the flesh originate. Even as close to Jesus as Judas was, following Him daily, hearing Him teach constantly, satan still had the ability to get a hold of him. Now, of course we know that this event was necessary for the rest of the prophesy, but the example is here for a reason. We will be tempted. Jesus was even tempted in the night following this supper where the story of the Thursday before the coming Friday occurs...and I promise you, the closer we cling to Jesus, the harder satan will tempt us.
What to do!?
Do what Jesus did! Keep praying, keep close to God and KNOW the WORD! Jesus used the scriptures to thwart satan’s temptations. He had all the answers! And so do we...they are written and bound in a convenient, hand held, unchanging book. All the answers are there.
Today is an important day. Whether you spend it thinking about tomorrow or thinking about the importance of today, I pray that you take any time you have to get-in-the-word. Use it to your advantage. Whatever temptations you have today, from eating something you know you shouldn’t to whatever you know brings you away from having joy, open the Bible. Just let it open for you and see what it has to say.
Tomorrow is a new day. A very important day. A painful day to remember, but a day that changed my life forever. And that, I can promise, bet-if I was a bettin’ gal, pinky-swear, know for 100 percent sure, will NEVER change. Without a shadow of any doubt what-so-ever.
*Matthew 26: 17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-23, John 13:1-30
Holy Heavenly Father, it is so hard to convey what today means to me. Sharing communion with fellow Christians may not have ever been as meaningful as it will be this year. The tangible reminder of what Jesus did for us is so hard to fathom even today. I pray, so fervently, that people will read your Word and really sit in the thought of each step that Jesus took for each one of us. Every single step, we were on His mind. Every scourge, every thorn pressed into Him, ever time someone spat upon His precious body...every drop of blood He cried and every drop of sweat that poured from deep within, was for us. And in that final hour, well, one thing at a time...God, please open the eyes of the lost, save the souls of those You are calling for and open the gates of Your Kingdom for us finally...for YOUR honor and glory I ask for Your will to be done in all things. In the loving name of Jesus, Amen.
