Whispers from our Father always help heal your soul, hoping this helps someone else make sense of their difficult day(s) . . .
Following and attempting to do what Jesus would do is excruciating at times. When every fiber in your body desires to do the exact opposite… grateful for His Spirit, His prompting, His reminding, His encouragement, His comfort, His words of understanding.
We humans can be so perplexing! I find it interesting how we are the same today as 2000+ years ago. I’ve been reminded throughout the previous days and awakened at night with thoughts of Judas Iscariot. What an interesting bird. He walked with Jesus. He was taught by Jesus. He was a close friend with Jesus. Jesus built Judas up and encouraged him as He discipled him. Jesus loved Judas. Jesus washed his feet. Jesus fed him bread on His last night alive…and…then Jesus told Judas “What you are about to do, do quickly.” He encouraged Him to do what was going to hurt Him…kill Him. Then, Judas ran to betray Jesus.
Jesus understands betrayal after doing everything possible…After going above and beyond…After providing His best for others, He was still KISSED and BETRAYED. There was no wrestle with loyalty because Judas’ enemy (Satan) had entered into Judas’ area of weakness, tempted him to fall to his lust for money (believing the lie for better things) and after all was said and done Judas was left with living with his choices and dealing with the consequences.
However, Jesus chose to LOVE him. He knew Judas’ heart was set and focused on betrayal and He chose to act in LOVE, anyways. He treated Judas the same as His loyal disciples…He loved His enemy. Wait…what?! Jesus accepted God’s will and welcomed it. Uhm… WOW. Right?! That’s why Jesus climbed on the cross for us…that’s why He is AWE-mazing, jaw dropping, knee weakening and worship worthy!
I’m reminded of how far I fall short…for in 
my flesh every ounce of me struggles with being willing to love in the midst of being hurt and of watching a loved one being betrayed. Lord help me be willing, help me chose to love, reveal yourself more within me so everyone will see less of me and see more of Your radiant image. For the good you see is not of me…it’s all of Him. Thank you Jesus for your overwhelming example, for your gentle encouragement to hand the pain over and lean into the power You provide to live like You…second by second, moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, week by week, year by year.
You see Satan intended to steal, kill and destroy Jesus by using Judas to betray Him thereby setting Him up to be killed. However, this was God’s chosen vehicle to use. He knew by allowing this to happen that what Satan intended for harm would be transformed into the saving and healing of people, and the unleashing of great power upon an entire world. The thief might have appeared to have won in that brief moment on the cross, but he lost horrifically for all eternity the moment Jesus gasped His last breath.
Trusting God to bring abundant good and blessings from what Satan intends to use for harm.
Faithfully His!