Deeper Life #155

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

—John 6:70

LET ME SAY ONE WORD to conscientious Christians: You cannot judge the faithfulness of other disciples. Peter assumed he was speaking for all of the Twelve when he said, “We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). Yet Jesus answered, “One of you is a devil” (v. 70). And this was not the last time a Christian presumed faith on behalf of others.

When you speak to the Lord, don’t speak of “we,” but of “me.” “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth” (Romans 14:4). In fact, the twelve disciples were marked with total ignorance of themselves. Peter said, “This thing will never happen as long as I am with You,” and the Lord had to let him go straight over the precipice of denial before he found out who he was. Jesus led Peter into crisis after crisis, until he knew himself.

Prayer Thought: Reveal the “real me” and make me alive to You—pleasing You!

SUGGESTED READING: Acts 1:19–25