Good plans

As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Hurry and do what you must!’ None of the others at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas was in charge of the money bag, some of the disciples thought that Jesus had told him to go and buy what they needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.
Judas accepted the bread and went out at once. It was night-time.     (verses 27-30)

Read John 13:18-30

Judas was part of God’s plan for salvation, a fact that has generated some discussion in Christian circles. For example, was it entirely fair to Judas for God to cast him in the role of betrayer? Doesn’t Judas himself – in God’s plan – become a victim?

God has a plan for the lives of each one of us. Maybe we feel at times that the plan for us is not very fair. If we could do the planning we’d cut out sickness and pain, relationship problems, difficulties with money, and so much more that can bring us hardship.

But, just as God’s plan for salvation (which included Judas) was a good one, so is God’s plan for your life and mine. Because God is himself good, his plans are always good and right.

And that’s all we need to know when life gets tough.

Father God, help me to be at peace in the knowledge that your plan for my life is a good one. Amen.

by Grace Simpson, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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