A Traitor in Our Midst : Luke 9:43-45 : What Jesus Did! : HEARTLIGHT®

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A Traitor in Our Midst - Luke 9:43-45

Key Thought

At this moment of glory in his ministry -- Jesus has just been transfigured, has shown his healing power, and is being praised -- Jesus reminds his disciples that treachery and betrayal lie ahead. While they could not understand it, they would remember it. Failure, even horrible and colossal failure, on the part of those we hold dear is always a possibility. We are flawed human beings who often fail each other. We must not let the total failure of those whom we admire destroy our faith. Jesus warned his disciples that his betrayal and death lay ahead and even though they could not understand it, they would remember and not be destroyed in their faith. We must not be destroyed by such things, either.

Today's Prayer

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Father, the failure of those that I love and trust hurts so badly. Please don't let that keep me from the joy you have given me in Christian fellowship and the hope I have in you. Help me remember that many of Jesus' greatest servants failed at one time or another, and were redeemed and used powerfully by you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Today's Verses in Context

All the people were amazed at the great power of God. The people were still amazed about all the things Jesus did. Jesus said to his followers, "Don't forget the things I will tell you now: The Son of Man will soon be given into the control of some men." But the followers did not understand what Jesus meant. The meaning was hidden from them so that they could not understand it. But the followers were afraid to ask Jesus about what he said. Jesus' followers began to have an argument about which one of them was the greatest (most important). Jesus knew what they were thinking. So Jesus took a little child and stood the child beside him. Then Jesus said to the followers, "If a person accepts a little child like this in my name, then that person accepts me. And when a person accepts me, that person accepts the One (God) that sent me. The person among you that is the most humble--that person is a great (important) person." John answered, "Master, we saw a person using your name to force demons out of people. We told him to stop because he does not belong to our group." Jesus said to John, "Don't stop him. If a person is not against you, then he is for you."

— Luke 9:43-50 (ERV)

Comments on "A Traitor in Our Midst":

"Satan (the devil) has asked to test you men like a farmer tests his wheat. O Simon, Simon (Peter), I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me."
Luke 22:31-32 (ERV)

When they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these {other men love me}?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my lambs. " Again Jesus said to Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Then Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep. " A third time Jesus said, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was sad because Jesus asked him three times, "Do you love me?" Peter said, "Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!" Jesus said to Peter, "Take care of my sheep. I tell you the truth. When you were young, you tied your own belt and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and another person will tie you. That person will lead you where you don't want to go." (Jesus said this to show how Peter would die to give glory to God.) Then Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me!" Peter turned and saw the follower that Jesus loved walking behind them. (This was the follower that had leaned against Jesus at the supper and said, "Lord, who will turn against you?") When Peter saw this follower behind them he asked Jesus, "Lord, what about him?"
John 21:15-21 (ERV)

A person {in your group} has caused sadness. He caused this sadness not to me, but to all of you--I mean he caused sadness to all in some way. (I don't want to make it sound worse than it really is.) The punishment that most of your group gave him is enough for him. But now you should forgive him and encourage him. This will keep him from having too much sadness and giving up completely. So I beg you to show him that you love him.
2 Corinthians 2:5-8 (ERV)

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