The Gospel of Luke: Plotting a Betrayal - Audio

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. Luke 22:1-6 There are three illuminating ironies that we can learn from in today's text detailing Judas's betrayal plot. 1. The chief priests and scribes were planning for a salvation celebration. Passover and the feast of unleavened bread were times of sacred remembrance of the salvation of the Hebrews. It was a time when the leaders hearts were to be focused on God's deliverance, but instead they focus on killing the Savior himself. Their eyes are fixed on fear of the people and their own political and social power. When our eyes are not fixed on the majesty of Jesus, our worship of the Lord is abhorrent in His eyes. Don't fix your eyes on the ritual that represents salvation, but on the Savior himself. 2. The biggest conspirator in the story is not ever seen. Judas is not the most important character in Jesus's betrayal. We are told that Satan enters Judas. Satan is the puppet master. Satan shows up a number of times throughout the gospel story, and some of the most dangerous are when he is the most quiet. The devil is far more subtle and influential than mere overt displays of power. Make no mistake, Satan is speaking to your heart right now in ways that can make you think his ideas are your own. And note that mere physical proximity to Jesus does not inoculate you from Satan's advance. Judas and many others throughout scripture are corrupted by Satan when they are in the very physical presence of Jesus and likewise, we can be corrupted when we are physically present with the church. Satan is not scared of things of God when we are not using those things to draw us closer to Jesus. We must stay alert, as Satan is looking for our weakness. But note that Satan does not have complete power over us. He presents us with choices, but in the end we choose to yield our will to him. So we should always keep our eyes focused on God and resist the Devil. 3. Satan's big plan is all a part of God's bigger plan. The kings of the earth and the devils plot in vain. All of their plans are subject to God's will. There is nothing they can do to prevent God's will. They couldn't stop the plots against Jesus, and they still cannot stop the will and plans of God. Satan's plan is only in service to God's ultimate plan. In a world where it seems like Satan is winning, you can have faith and peace that no plan of Satan will succeed against God's bigger plan, which God calls us to be a part of. God can handle anything Satan throws against us. Call upon the name of Jesus today, and have eternal life and joy. Don't wait. His plan is perfect and cannot fail, and you are a part of it.