Notes From Luke 22 | Daily Reading
Did Satan really think he could “kill” Jesus aka defeat God?
How blinding sin really is, to convince him to believe such a foolish thing. He targeted those who already had malice and criticism in their heart to help carry out his divisive plan. He knew it wouldn’t take much convincing to talk them into killing Jesus because they already hated Him in their heart. The Bible compares hate to murder, “21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” Matthew 5:21-22 and “Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.” 1 John 3:15.
This is convicting to me because we all can probably say we’ve struggled with hate in our hearts. It’s why God calls us to repent of that hate. It harms us as much as it breaks God’s heart and He wants us to know that “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Give God whatever hate you may have built-in your heart toward someone whose wronged you, don’t house it any longer. Trust Him to bring justice where justice must be served and be free of that malice.
In Luke 22, it says Satan entered Judas Iscariot who would be the disciple that would betray Jesus. Judas went to the hate-filled religious leaders and they pretty much planned his murder, making it premeditated murder. This is also a warning for us to realize anyone claiming self-righteousness or righteousness apart from Christ is not to be heralded. Anyone can claim to be walking close to Christ, Judas was one of his disciples, but they can be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20
What kind of fruit is their life producing? These can be measured by Galatians 5:19-23, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.”
Looking at the key players of the plot against Jesus it’s interesting to me that Satan knew who to go to. He knows more than we may think he does, not so powerful to know our thoughts but more like an “Alexa” home device, listening in on conversations. He knew who to use which makes me wonder what Judas was speaking or saying behind Jesus’ back or what his lifestyle apart from the disciples and Jesus looked like. He knew how to work around the priests’ fear and jealousies, he once again snaked his way in and offered the path to sin and they took it.
The timing of Jesus’ arrest was nightfall which is not surprising, this is where the doers of evil are most at home, nighttime. Jesus questions this when Judas comes with the Roman guards, “Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” Luke 22:53.
The takeaways for me from my reading was to be aware of accruing hate in my heart toward anyone, avoid slander and criticism and be quick to confess it, ask the Holy Spirit to help guard my mouth and my heart against malice, test the teaching of any minister with God’s Word and observe the fruit or lack of flowing from someone professing Christ, be on alert for the enemy who seeks to divide, destroy and kill.
Rest assured, God always has a plan. The enemy thought he could kill Jesus, when really Jesus went willingly to the cross, gave up His life and rose from the grave. When the devil plots, God prevails. He uses all things.