MORNING DEW: 24-10-2018
TOPIC: A SEALED CONSCIENCE
TEXT: JOHN 13:21-30 (ISV)
“After saying this, Jesus was deeply troubled in spirit and declared solemnly, Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, one of you is going to betray me! The disciples began looking at one another, completely mystified about whom he was speaking. One of his disciples, the one whom Jesus kept loving, had been sitting very close to him. So Simon Peter motioned to this man to ask Jesus about whom he was speaking. Leaning forward on Jesus chest, he asked him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread after I have dipped it in the dish. Then he took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. After he had taken the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus told him, do quickly what you are going to do! Now no one at the table knew why Jesus said this to him. Some thought that, since Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him to buy what they needed for the festival or to give something to the destitute. So Judas took the piece of bread, immediately went outside and it was night.” JESUS PREDICTED HIS TROUBLES
Jesus was troubled due to what He was to go through. It was ringing in His ears always. Some of His disciples were equally troubled and Peter at a point tried to stop Him from going to the cross (Matthew 16:22; 17:23).
It was disturbing hearing this from Jesus consistently. He knew He would die but the hands He would pass through was a bit shocking. So He kept on preaching about His death to His own disciples for them to be careful.
THE CULPRIT WAS WITH HIM
The funny and the most shocking thing was that, the man who was to aid Jesus’ death was with Jesus. He was the finance minister, a position of trust. In an entity they keep their monies with a trustworthy person or bank. Judas Iscariot was keeping the money bag.
He was a key signatory to their ministry account. This same man was going to betray the man (Jesus) who kept announcing His death to them. He was always there and listening to Jesus.
JUDAS SEALED HIS CONSCIENCE
If you were Judas what would you have done after hearing Jesus’ pronouncements always?
Well, keep the answer to yourself.
Judas after receiving this message right in Jesus’ presence, allowed the enemy to enter him. One thing you should know is that the enemy cannot influence you do things unwillingly If you don’t want to. For instance, if I am not ready to steal Satan cannot force me do that. He can only influence but you will have to decide.
Even God himself cannot force you do something against your will. God has given us the will power to decide for ourselves. He has given us the will power to have our own choices. That is why He won’t force you to serve Him, you have to decide on your own. That’s why you cannot blame anybody for your downfall.
So Judas could have resisted the enemy’s bid. Jesus Himself refused Satan’s bid when he tried Him (Matthew 4:1-11). Here Satan influenced Jesus to do something against His will, but He rejected it.
But Judas accepted Satan’s proposal.
Judas sealed his conscience. He heard Jesus preaching everyday against greed. He preached against covetousness. The Ten Commandments they adhered at the time was against the act he was to commit, yet he would not think that direction. His conscience was sealed.
We have many Judases in our churches today. We listen to great messages. We even shout “that’s powerful”! We listen to powerful teachings. We study the Bible on daily basis, but:
Why are we still stealing?
Why are we still committing adultery?
Why are we still fornicating?
Why are we still gossiping?
Why are we still being loggerheads with people?
Why are we still drinking?
Are we better than Judas?
No! What Judas did is the same thing we are doing. We have sealed our consciences against any good teaching.
What makes people false preachers? The refusal of teaching the truth which is as the result of sealing their consciences against any truth.
Come home beloved. Allow your conscience to be unlocked by the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, I need your help to unlock my conscience, in Jesus’ Name!
Amen!
Rev. John Wundengba
0209422159
