Thought for Thursday
And after the sop, Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. John 13:27
In a speech to the American people after the signing of the surrender documents by Japan, to officially end the Second world War, General Douglas MacArthur spoke of the great change brought about by the introduction of atomic weapons. Speaking about the possibility that such weapons could wipe out mankind if used in another war, MacArthur urged all powers to focus on other ways of resolving international disputes, other than war. He declared, ‘We have had our last chance!’ MacArthur’s warning has been heeded, so far. Since then, no nuclear weapons have been used in anger. In our text today, we see Jesus giving Judas his last chance, in a warning that, tragically for him, went unheeded.
Jesus’ words to Judas appear straightforward – if you have something to do, be about it. But the real intent runs much deeper. Judas knows that Jesus is aware of his intentions, but has not abandoned his plan. The sense of what Jesus told Judas was much more like a warning: if you are really going to go through with this, leave now and do it. His words present a final chance for Judas to abandon his betrayal. But they also present the depths of Jesus’ commitment to His purpose for coming into the world. He allowed Judas to go, if that was Judas’ decision. He also prevented the other disciples from stopping Judas, who would never have escaped from that room alive if the others had known his purpose. Everything about this scene speaks to Judas receiving from the merciful Saviour one final chance.
Someday, we may long for a final chance, when we realize that our purposes that conflict for the Lord’s will have tragic results. In His great mercy, God has given us many chances to make up for our stumbling and straying and foolishness. We have set about to do our own heart’s bidding without considering the consequences, and the Lord has admonished us, or sent somebody along to stop us from fulfilling out misguided mission. We have encountered a faithful message that stopped us, or read a portion of Scripture that caused us to halt and consider. How kind of the Lord to mercifully interfere and make us reconsider. But, like He did with Judas, He leaves the final decision to us.
Faithfulness is not always easy or comfortable. But how much better to allow ourselves to be brought into line than to ignore what might someday be our last chance! – Jim MacIntosh