Faith in the Hour that Tries by Fire

“Jesus... was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray Me.’ Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom He spoke. He then lying on Jesus’ breast said to Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is he to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it.’ And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot.” [1]

“When the host would dip his piece of bread into the dish, and then give the sop to someone, that was very, very significant. The host or master of the house would give the sop to the person to whom he wanted to show his greatest love and esteem. He did that by dipping into the common dish and then placing the sop in the person’s mouth. In doing that, he would show to all those present, and to the person receiving the sop, the love and honor he had for him.

Jesus knew that Judas was about to betray him. Yet, there he sat, quite possibly in a position of honor at the meal, and Jesus gave him the sop.” [2]

Jesus extended grace, honor, and love to Judas. Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He traded an eternity with God in paradise for earthly money that would only yield a momentary pleasure.

Jim Elliott once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.”

The eleven disciples who remained faithful to Jesus, though mistreated on earth, enjoy eternal feasting and joy unspeakable and full of glory with Christ in heaven.

“Lord Jesus, please pray for us that our faith will not fail in the hour that tries by fire. Please bring us to Your heavenly kingdom by keeping our faith in You strong.”

[1] John 13:21, 23-26
[2] Michael A. Verdicchio quote: confidenceandjoy.com