Providential Manhunt

The passage before us closes the record of the tragic life of Judas Iscariot. Jesus called Judas to follow Him, and he did. But from the beginning Judas was a fake disciple. Only he and Jesus knew it, and it was all in the plan of God. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him. Judas was so good at his hypocrisy that no one else suspected him. The other apostles suspected themselves as much as they suspected Judas.

John 13:21–22: When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you w ill betray Me.” The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking.

John 13:27–29: After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus *said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor.

We left off here, with this scene on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem.

Acts 1:9-11: And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

1. Personnel (12-14)
2. Problem (15-19)
3. Prophecy (20)
4. Plan (21-22)
5. Proposal (23)
6. Prayer (24-25)
7. Providence (26)