Bible
Study: Isaiah 49, 1 to 6 and John 13, 21 to 38.
Dear
friends in Christ, from our readings this morning, we can see one very obvious
fact: that there is nothing hidden before God. As the prophet Isaiah says in
the first reading: “The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my
mother he named my name…” God knew us long before we were born and he knows
everything about us. God knows our secret thoughts, his eyes are always with us
and he knows even our future.
The Psalmist
declares: “O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You
know when I sit down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You
chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you
know where I am. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.” Psalm
139, 1 to 4.
Long
before Judas Iscariot conceived the idea of betraying him, Jesus already knew
it and that he was able to say it to the disciples. “Very truly, I tell you,
one of you will betray me.” John 13, 21. Judas had no idea that Jesus knew what
was in his mind. He gladly took the morsel of bread pretending to be a friend
of Jesus and all the while he was calculating in his mind how he would enjoy
some cool thirty pieces of silver.
Long
before Peter ever imagined he would deny ever knowing him, Jesus knew the exact
number of times and when these denials would take place. Jesus was not carried
away by Peter’s confession of undying loyalty: “Lord, why can I not follow you
now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, "Will you lay down
your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have
denied me three times. John 13, 37 to 38
The fact
that Jesus could tell what was in the mind of Judas Iscariot and predict Peter’s
denial only proves what the Psalmist says that God knows everything about us. It
proves that Jesus is God. It also proves that there is nothing about us that is
beyond the reach and understanding of Jesus.
We don’t even
need to say much or explain ourselves to him when we pray. All we need is to
have that confident faith that we are praying to a God before whom nothing in
this life is ever hidden.
Let us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, you knew me long before I was born and there is nothing that happens to
me that escapes your sight, not even my thoughts and imaginations are beyond
your sight. Help me to be always conscious of this fact that I may live for you
alone. Amen.
God bless
you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you.
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