Key Thought

Judas knew where to find Jesus; Jesus took his disciples here many times to pray and be with his disciples. Unfortunately, Satan still uses people close to God's children to wound and betray them in places where they feel they should be safe. That makes the wound all the more grievous and the methods of betrayal all the more harsh and garish. The very acts of betrayal seem to make the once holy places defiled. We must recognize, however, that the place and the people where we are betrayed are not the problem. Satan is! If Jesus was betrayed by one close to him, we should not expect things to be all that different for us. But, we must not let that keep us from God's people or God's places! If Satan can keep us from Jesus' disciples and the place of prayer and fellowship, then he has us just where he wants us. Don't let the unfaithfulness of others drive you from the people of God!

Today's Prayer

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Father, give me strength and courage to never let the ruthless and duplicitous actions of others drive me from your people or the places I need to go for strength, encouragement, and support. Jesus, please come to me and minister to my broken spirit in times like these. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

When Jesus finished praying, he left with his followers. They went across the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden {of olive trees}. Jesus and his followers went there. Judas knew where this place was, because Jesus met there often with his followers. Judas was the one that turned against Jesus. So Judas led a group of soldiers to the garden. Judas also brought some guards from the leading priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus knew everything that would happen to him. Jesus went out and asked, "Who are you looking for?" The men answered, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus said, "I am Jesus." (Judas, the one that turned against Jesus, was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, "I am Jesus," the men moved back and fell to the ground. Jesus asked them again, "Who are you looking for?" The men said, "Jesus from Nazareth." Jesus said, "I told you that I am Jesus. So if you are looking for me, then let these other men go free." This happened so that the words Jesus said before would be true: "I have not lost any of the men you gave me." Simon Peter had a sword. He took out the sword and struck the servant of the high priest. Peter cut off the servant's right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword back in its place! I must accept the cup {of suffering} the Father has given me."

— John 18:1-11 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.