A Deeper Dive Into the Book of Revelation - Part 13
Jesus taught us in the parable of the Wheat and the Tares that there are people among us who are masquerading as children of God, but really are children of the devil.
How should we treat these people? If we suspect that someone among us may be one of these children of Satan, what should we do? Should we kick them out of our churches and cut off communication with them?
Thankfully, Jesus taught us exactly how to respond to these evil people.
“Let the weeds and the wheat grow together until the harvest time.”—Matthew 13:30 (ERV)
That may be surprising to us, but that is our Lord’s instruction, and that is the behavior that He modeled for us Himself.
For 3½ years, Jesus allowed Judas (the tare among the wheat) to grow right alongside the true wheat of Peter, James, John, and the other original apostles. Our Lord did this even though He knew from the beginning that Judas would betray Him to death.
“For Jesus knew from the beginning who did not believe, and who would betray Him.”—John 6:64 (AMP)
Not only did Jesus allow Judas to grow together with the true apostles, but Jesus showed the same love to Judas that He showed to the true apostles. Jesus did not love Judas any less, even though He knew that Judas was a dangerous enemy.
At the last supper, Jesus bowed down and washed the feet of Judas, His betrayer, just as He washed the feet of each of His true disciples.
Jesus treated Judas as a person of value and entrusted Judas with important responsibilities, even allowing Judas to be the treasurer for the group.
“After [Judas had taken] the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly [without delay].’ But no one reclining at the table knew why He said this to him. Some thought that, since Judas [as the treasurer of the group] had the money box, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the feast,’ or that he was to give something to the poor.”—John 13:27-29 (AMP)
Jesus’ example is important for us to understand and to emulate.
Even if we believe that certain people among us are “bad seeds,” we are commanded by our Lord to love them and to treat them just as we would want to be treated.
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.”—Luke 6:31 (AMP)
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”—Galatians 5:14 (NIV)
As Jesus taught us by His own example, even if we know that there is someone among us who is an evil enemy, our response and our motivation must always be to demonstrate genuine love to them out of a sincere heart.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly. If you do this, you will be children who are truly like your Father in heaven. He lets the sun rise for all people, whether they are good or bad. He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong.”—Matthew 5:43-45 (ERV)
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.
“If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.
“Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”—Luke 6:27-37 (CEB)
