Jesus, teach me that there are moments in my life where I have to face satanic attacks. I, like everyone else, will have to fight spiritual battles on a regular basis. But, help me understand that there is one attack that has a very special meaning concerning who I am and where I am going to spend eternity. Show me that Peter and Judas came to this important moment of testing. Use the situation with Judas and Peter to get me ready.

Mat 26:31-35 (NIV) Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never disown You.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Jesus, help see that Peter knew Who You are; he had NEVER heard You say ANYTHING that was a mistake or wrong. Yet, he felt free to refute what You said. That didn’t look like respect and love to me. BUT, help me examine the motive behind this dispute: Peter was trying to show You how much he loved You. He was using very wrong procedures; but, they were MOTIVATED by love. But help me see that because He was arguing with You, he didn’t join You and resist the temptation. Help me realize, however, that he was in the process of learning how use love to resist the right things.

Jesus, help me understand that Judas didn’t say anything because You were walking right into his plans. Mat 26:31 (NIV) Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of Me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ Judas had financial plans for seeing to it that You, the shepherd, would be stricken. Show me that Judas was so much in love with money, he was even willing to sell out You, his own Friend.

Jesus, what will get me ready for this love crossroad? How can I make sure my love for You is greater than anything else? How can I have to pay my bills, have to work for a living, have to provide for my family, and demonstrate that I am NOT some lazy bum that won’t accept their responsibilities in life? Teach me that the submission and the resistance must be applied to my motive for why I do what I do. Show me that it isn’t what I tell myself, my friends, my family, or You. Show me that my REAL motive is revealed by how I spend my time.

Luke 22:31-34 (NIV) “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with You to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me.” Jesus, show me that Peter really believed what he was saying; but, he didn’t allow his love to be used to resist the temptation that was coming his way.

Jesus, teach me that I won’t join You in resisting anything I feel I can handle. Help me realize that as long as I see myself as adequate for the job, I will use human resistance and human effort. Peter is about to fail miserably. He loves You but he isn’t DEPENDENT on You. Show me HOW MUCH I need You so I will let You join me in resisting all the temptations I am going to face. Protect me from feeling like I can handle ANYTHING on my own, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

John 13:21 (NIV) After He had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray Me.” Jesus, this was a direct warning to Judas; but, show me that Judas had heard a lot of warnings about the direction he was headed. Show me some of the warnings Judas got and all of us get concerning loving money.

• Mat 6:19-21 (NIV) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  
  Luke 12:15 (NIV) Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”


• Luke 12:16-21 (NIV) And He told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”
  
  “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Jesus, Judas couldn’t miss the warning in this illustration. But, he didn’t repent of his attitudes and deeds. He didn’t come to You and ask for Your help. Help me see that he didn’t want to give up his passion for money. Help me see that he actually cultivated it and enhanced it to the place where he had no resistance toward it.

Jesus, as You took Your disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to pray about Your being tortured and crucified, why did You separate them? You left most of them a little farther away from where You were going to pray. But, You allowed Peter, James, and John to come closer. Help me see that it was for Peter’s sake. Help me understand what you did after Your first prayer: Mat 26:40-41 (NIV) Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray SO THAT you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Jesus, why did You give this warning and training in Matthew 26:40-41 to Peter and not to Judas? Help me see that it was because Peter was right there with You. Judas was somewhere else. Help me understand that prior to this when the disciples were eating the Passover meal with You, Peter and Judas were with You. Both of them were taking communion by eating the bread and drinking the cup representing Your broken body and shed blood for our healing and salvation. Help me see how important it was that Peter was committed to following You. Help me see how devastating it was that Judas was committed to betraying You. Show me that as they sat at that table, Judas got plenty of warning.

Mat 26:24-25 (NIV) The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” Then Judas, the one who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.” Show me that the love of money had taken over Judas heart. Just like You warned him, he was unable to serve two masters. Judas chose money as his master.

John 13:26-27 (NIV) Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him. Jesus, help me understand that this is why Judas didn’t hear the watch and pray instructions for how to use love to resist the body, the world, and the devil. He was gone doing evil things that had GROWN in his heart.

Mat 26:48 (NIV) Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Jesus, while Peter was still following You, Judas was getting things set up for Your betrayal. Teach me that all the times he ignored Your training and warnings, that brought him to the place of no love for You and no resistance to his body, the world, or the devil.