70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him.
John 6:70-71 ESV
Many Christians are willing to follow God's path for their lives when the sacrifice is minor: 10% tithe, Sunday morning church attendance, giving up swearing. A smaller percentage will obey when a more strenuous path is expected: quit a job for seminary, relocate the family, oversee a lay ministry for church. But how many of us would willingly embrace a person or situation that we knew would lead to our earthy ruin?
"David," this is God. "I want you to take this job that will result in your bankruptcy. Trust me. It is for the best."
"It's me, God. Please hire this person. They will make a decision that will land you in prison for something you did not do, but it is for the best."
These scenarios seem preposterous to us. God wants the best for us. His plans are for us to prosper. But here is Jesus, God's son, acknowledging that one of his hand-picked, starting line-up was going to sell him out. AND Jesus selected Judas with complete fore-knowledge that that would transpire.
To be obedient when it leads to earthly ruin. To follow when secular failure is guaranteed. To comply when temporal disaster will follow. That is obedience. That is trust.
How many of us would invite a Judas into our homes or businesses if it would bring about a greater blessing to others?
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