John 13:22 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking.

In many cases, it’s not easy to detect a goat amongst the sheep or the tares from the wheat. Apparently Judas fit right in with the rest of the disciples. They had just been told by Jesus that one of them was a betrayer, and they had no idea who it might be. Of course, Judas knew at that moment that he was the one, but do you think he came into the relationship with Jesus with the intent to betray and harm Jesus? I doubt it. This is sobering and humbling. Living to love with Jesus requires watchfulness and humility which Judas lacked. The potential for evil was within Judas, but he didn’t know it. He probably genuinely thought he was one of the bunch. In fact, maybe even greater than most because he was chosen to be responsible for the money box (13:29). The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” The reason it is so important to live to love with Jesus, is that living with His purpose protects us from being self-deceived and mislead by the devil’s lies.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com