Satan: God's Pawn!

For Thursday, November 6, 2025:

John 14:30b-31a NLT, Jesus speaking: “The ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father.”

Jesus knows his time on earth is drawing to a close. It’s nearly time for him to return to the Father. He calls Satan the “ruler of this world,” which seems odd. We all know that ultimately, God is in charge of everything. Therefore, God will allow Satan to rule the world only as long as it meets his purpose. Satan will poison the heart of Judas Iscariot as he betrays Jesus, thereby setting God’s plan in motion.

Here’s what God had Judas instigate. Jesus was betrayed, arrested, tried and crucified. On the cross, the sins of the world were heaped upon sinless Jesus. He was to take those sins to the place of the dead and leave them there. That way, mankind, forgiven and now appearing sinless, could join believers in the life after this life. God’s eternal Kingdom, Heaven, could be the forever home for all who call Jesus “Lord.”

God knew that mankind would succumb to Satan’s temptations. But God’s desire is that none would perish, that all would repent and return. So in advance, he planned for mankind’s rescue. He did for us what we are not able to do for ourselves.

God is good to us, far better than we deserve!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Traitor!

For Sunday, September 28, 2025:

Mark 14:43 NLT: “Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders.”

So much is wrong in this scene that it’s hard to know where to start! Judas, the betrayer, was one of the trusted 12 who traveled with Jesus and ate their meals alongside him. They had all witnessed the lame walk again and the blind seeing following Jesus’ intervention. They had watched Jesus feed thousands with seemingly few resources. Most of all, he taught love and forgiveness, which was not the norm at that time!

Pharisees and religious teachers should have had no part in a murder plot (see commandment #6.) They were doing what they would counsel others to NOT do! They were going against their own value system. I’ve said many times that Jesus should have represented ‘Judaism, the next chapter,’ not a separate religion. After all, Jesus was teaching in the Temple! He was sent to earth by the Hebrew’s God. But this betrayal was not about God; it was about money and power. If worshipers were supporting Jesus, their tithes were not going to the Pharisees. (To get to the bottom of a conspiracy, just follow the money!)

Swords and clubs would not be needed to take Jesus into custody. If he were here today, he’d be labeled a Peace Activist. But the vast eternal plan was to have God’s Son be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. This conspiracy, resulting in Jesus’ demise, gave legs to God’s plan. Eventually Jesus died and mankind’s sins were forgiven for all time. One and done! No further sacrifice needed!

The bad guys played an important role in believers getting to experience life after this life. When it’s your turn, Jesus will welcome loyal believers with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship