Betrayal of Christ Leads to Stress and Denial

Luke 22:31-34

At this time, Chrit’s betrayal has already been bought and paid for, but Jesus is not yet arrested. While the betrayal of Jesus is in the works, conflict creeps into the church at the same time that the public is groomed to report Christians to the authorities to be arrested. Because of the betrayal within the church, members are suspicious of one another about who the traitor among them might be. Adding to that, there is conflict over who has the most power and authority among them.

It’s just a matter of minutes before Jesus will be arrested to be crucified to death on the Cross. Now, Jesus is telling about His disciple who will be pointed out by individuals in the public as being one of His followers. The public think they are doing the right thing by turning Christians over to the authorities to be punished.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31-32

Today, Satan works through an inner presence that has power over physiology, and can form emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. That inner presence is able to sift a Christian through many trials by the thoughts inserted, the powerful feelings and emotions imposed, and the behaviors engaged in. The intruder that treads on the “inner sanctuary” despises the Spirit of Christ and attacks it day and night. It is the mark of the beast.

On top of the internal sifting and trials, those who live by the mark of the beast also despise those who live for the Testimony of Jesus. There is a tremendous amount of agitation, pain, and stress coming at Christians from the people of the public who live by the inner presence of the mark. Their stares, tone of voice, body posture, and accusations, are threatening. Even still, Jesus is in Heaven praying for me and everyone else who serves Him. Some of us will fall from the Testimony of Jesus Christ, but we can come back to God through Jesus. Not just come back as before, but even stronger so that fellow Christians can be strengthened.

“But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today,
you will deny three times that you know me.”
Luke 22:33-34

Today, it’s necessary to be willing to go to prison and even suffer death for the Gospel of Jesus. Those who govern by the mark of the beast will use every tool in the toolbox to twist the arm to force a betrayal of Christ. If we fear that we will go to prison or suffer death, then that will be used against us to make us live by the mark. It’s necessary to have that determination to hold to Christ through the worse of what can be thrown at us. It is highly stressful to live where the shadow of death is, but if we fall, we can always come back to Christ.

Personally, I have had to present myself to authorities five times to answer to false accusations made against me. The accusations were so bogus that it was obvious it was harassment on the part of the accusers. That doesn’t count the many times that I’ve had to answer to my employers for something that was obviously nonsensical. All those things serve to keep me aware of the ruthlessness and maliciousness that is thrown towards those who live by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Being sifted is emotionally and mentally stressful. There is a very real possibility of imprisonment and death for serving God through Jesus Christ.

I know the reality of how quickly a Christian can find themselves at death’s door. I was a code blue due to a botched attempt at a colonoscopy. Who has ever heard of botching a colonoscopy!? The persecution of Christianity is very real today, and it is all too easy to deny Jesus Christ during high-pressure times. Jesus knows and is praying for all those who live for God through Him. If we fail, we can come back and try again and even be stronger than before.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11