Read John 6:66-71. TEXT: "Jesus answered them, 'Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil'" (John 6:70).
In sadness Jesus watched the crowds turn and walk away. Now He turns to His twelve chosen disciples and asks if they want to leave too. The Lord won't force them to stay at His side; He won't force you and me to stay either.
Peter answers, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God." The Holy Spirit led Peter to this great confession.
But Jesus knew Peter wasn't speaking for every one of the disciples. He knew all too well that one of them had turned away, even though he was still standing by Jesus' side. None of the other disciples was aware, but Judas had secretly rejected Jesus' Kingdom of light and allied himself with the prince of darkness. The darkness had so deceived Judas he thought Jesus would never know what was in his heart.
Judas' darkness is in each of us too and can deceive us as thoroughly as it deceived him. On the outside we can be active in our churches. Yet deep in our hearts we may have grown cold to Jesus. It's so easy to go through the motions of faith, while our hearts turn away to the darkness like Judas.
Jesus calls us to stop and examine the depths of our soul. Are we sincere in our faith, or are we servants of darkness going through the motions? It's a matter of life and death and heaven and hell for us just as it was for Judas.
THE PRAYER: Holy Spirit, remove all that is false and impure from my heart, and fill me with the fire of faith in Jesus Christ my Savior. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Leviticus 13 Mark 7:14-37
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