Reflecting on Luke 22:1-6
“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.” (Luke 22:3)
‘Satan enters Judas’ is Luke’s way of describing what happened to Judas.
The deceiver was constantly whispering doubts and fears in the disciples’ minds.
Jesus tells Peter this while they’re eating the Last Supper (Luke 22:31-32).
But Jesus was constantly praying for His disciples, for He knew their battle.
He was not surprised by Judas’s concerns and doubts and desire for money.
The deceiver was constantly agitating Judas’s mind, and now he finally breaks.
The deceiver attacked his weak points, and he finally surrendered.
This is how the deceiver works in us too, looking for our weak points.
As we will see, the deceiver also attacks Jesus this way (Luke 22:39-46).
But where they (and we all) fail, Jesus stood firm and beat Satan.
This is the good news: finally in Jesus a human (Son of Adam) defeats the serpent.
We are still tempted, and Satan still enters us (that is, Satan still deceives us).
We stumble and fail, but through faith in Jesus we are not defeated.
Adam fell, Judas and Peter fell, and I still fall; but Jesus stands firm for us!
This gives me courage not to give up, even when Satan manages to trick and beat me.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, like everyone else, I am weak. The deceiver is still entering my mind in ways that I both know and ways I do not realize. Thank You for overcoming the deceiver for me, and assuring me that I am saved by grace, and not by my standing firm. My hope is in Your victory, not in mine.

The following song came to my mind while reading this devotional. I stand on the promises of God. Those promises are found in His Word and His Spirit also brings hymns to my minds as I meet the challenges of this day erving Him.
1 I am weak but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Refrain:
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
2 Thro’ this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee. [Refrain]
3 When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore. [Refrain]