Luke 22a Commentary
We have two mentions of Satan in this chapter. “Then Satan entered Judas,” and “Satan has asked to sift all of you”.
We get the impression that Satan needed permission to test or tempt or disfaith the disciples. The thought here could be similar to Job’s case where Satan sought permission to test Job’s faith. We also have the backing of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10 verse 29, “Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care”
The LORD God answered Jesus’ prayer, and they all maintained their faith. Note that Jesus’ prayer wasn’t that the disciples shouldn’t be tested but that they should come out standing – their faith shouldn’t fail during the test.
The disciples did experience faith failure, but it was momentary. It was occasioned by fear and weakness. It was regretted, repented, and forgiven. It could be called failure against one’s better judgment, will, hopes, and ambitions. Standing against temporary failure was Judas Iscariot’s failure. Failure was resident within Judas as reported in John 12 verse 6.
Judas’ love for money was a manifestation of an inner hole or a spiritual gap that Satan used as an entry point.
In this case, the prayer of Jesus didn’t cover Judas’ sinful career – a career of greediness. We disqualify ourselves from grace when we elect a sinner’s life over the servant’s obedience.
Is there regret? Yes. Is there repentance? No. Is there death? Yes. Satan chooses death quickly to cut short any further chance of repentance. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Judas is one good example of Satan’s victim. Satan’s victims will always regret. Regret isn’t repentance.
The story of Judas speaks volumes to the saint. He was one of the twelve. He experienced everything. He was obviously involved in many missions. He was empowered like the rest to cast out demons and perform miracles. He must have enjoyed power over the evil spirits like the other disciples.
Doesn’t Judas’ story create fear in us when we have experienced greatness in our Christian walk? Ask the LORD to help you check your heart. Check for a history of sinfulness in a specific area. It may have gone unnoticed.
The saint is warned to check and ensure that there isn’t any door of sin left open for Satan to enter. Every sin must be repented promptly. Sin should never be a resident in the saint’s heart.
Satan needed a human body to operate in. Judas provided one. Judas wasn’t going to pull off the feat alone. The chief priests and the elders were an important component. Even they needed the Governor’s consent. And to persuade the Governor, the chief priests needed to stir up the crowd. Satanic operations can be complex.
Saints may easily forget and ignore the fact that an entire system can be set up to work against the LORD’s will. The trouble with the ticketing system at a rail station may not always be technical. It may be a setup to derail and frustrate the saint. Watch and pray. While in obedience, “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
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