” Then Jesus replied, ‘Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!’ (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray Him).” John 6:70-71
Jesus knew when He chose Judas that he would betray Him. Even though Jesus knew Judas’ heart, He treated him so kindly that none of the other disciples had a clue Judas was a betrayer. The way Jesus loved Judas (even washing his feet) should speak volumes to us about the gracious nature of God - He accepts any and everyone. II Peter 3:9 says, ‘He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish.’ This is because our Father is forever:
ACCEPTING…
”Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Tax collectors just might top the list of most hated professions. This was especially true in Israel, because the Romans turned locals on their own people to extract heavy taxes on them. As a result, tax collectors were despised by everyone - except Jesus. He became friends with them (Zacchaeus) and named one of them an apostle (Matthew). The wide range of people Jesus accepted, included the ‘righteous’ Pharisees (Nicodemus) to the ‘not so’ prostitutes (Mary Magdalene) and a friend who denied Him (Peter). Jesus invited everyone to follow Him. This shows the Father’s heart to receive all the people He created.
…AND AFFIRMING.
”…You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…” I Peter 2:9
I don’t know about you, but I do not always feel chosen, royal, priestly, holy or ‘special’. Often, I see myself just the opposite. But because of Jesus, God sees and speaks of all of us differently. In fact, He calls: a barren father and mother, parents (Abraham and Sarah); a frightened man, a ‘mighty warrior’ (Gideon); and a sometimes unstable man, a ‘rock’ (Peter). Isaiah 42:3, says, A bruised reed He will not break, a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. This, of course, was a prophecy about the kind of ministry Jesus would have - One who mended, one who fanned into flame. This is exactly what affirmation is all about. Using words that mend and heal us, uplift and encourage us.
”The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary…” Isaiah 50:4
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