Christian Reflection and Prayer

By Rev. Wayne Palmer

Read John 6:66-71.
"Jesus answered them, 'Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet
one of you is a devil'" (John 6:70). 

Lenten Devotion- 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.