Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

2 May 2025

Reading From Luke 22:1-30

“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

     Jesus was a threat to the religious establishment of His day.  He spoke as one with real authority and His message was backed up with signs and wonders.  His ministry among people of all classes and backgrounds won the hearts of multitudes whereas the chief priests and teachers of the law tried to maintain control by enforcing not only Mosaic Law but also their own made up rules without mercy and true justice.  This caused the Pharisees and Sadducees and other religious leaders to be fearful of the people giving their allegiance to the Lord Jesus rather than them. 

     Luke did not mince words when telling what happened with Judas Iscariot.  Satan entered him.  This leads me to believe that, while Judas may have originally truly followed the Lord, somewhere along the way he lost his way.  Elsewhere in the gospels we learn that he was the treasurer for the ministry of Jesus and like to embezzle from the offerings.  This gives me pause about how harshly I judge ministries who do the Lord’s work today but perhaps have people involved who are unscrupulous.  Just because there are imperfect people involved is no reason not to continue being faithful to support the work of Jesus upon the Earth in our modern times.

     Prior to the fulfillment of the Old Covenant through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit would rest upon various people for different purposes.  But part of the New Covenant is that all who are born again become temples of God in which He lives by His Spirit.  From the moment we turn away from sin and choose to follow Jesus, we are made spiritually alive, our spirits fuse with the Holy Spirit and we are gradually made more like the Lord until we are one with Him after the resurrection and judgment. 

We are possessed by the Holy Ghost and while we can be attacked by evil spirits, blood-washed born-again believers cannot be possessed by a demon.  It is heartbreaking to read that Satan entered Judas.  Later in the story we learn that he was filled with remorse for what he had done and committed suicide. I hope that in his final moments he called upon the Lord, but his guilt was too much for him to bear and his life ended in self-inflicted tragedy.

“Lord, thank You that You are gracious and merciful.  I pray for my brothers and sisters in Your eternal family.  For those who are struggling with mistakes they’ve made or wrestling with doubt, I ask that You speak to their hearts and guide them back to Your path.  Thank You for who You are and all You do for us, Lord.  We love You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love.

The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

—Psalm 145:8-9