The Bag

The Beloved Disciple recorded in John chapter 13:

18 “I don’t refer to all of you when I tell you these things, for I know the ones I’ve chosen—to fulfill the Scripture that says, ‘The one who shared supper with Me treacherously betrays me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it happens, so that when the prophecy comes to pass you will be convinced that I AM. 20 “Listen to this timeless truth: whoever receives the messenger I send receives Me, and the one who receives Me receives the Father who sent Me.”

21 Then Jesus was moved deeply in his spirit. Looking at his disciples, He announced, “I tell you the truth—one of you is about to betray Me.”

22 Eyeing each other, His disciples puzzled over which one of them could do such a thing. 23 The disciple that Jesus dearly loved was at the right of Him at the table and was leaning his head on Jesus. 24 Peter gestured to this disciple to ask Jesus who it was He was referring to. 25 Then the dearly loved disciple leaned into Jesus’ chest and whispered, “Master, who is it?”

26 “The one I give this piece of bread to after I’ve dipped it in the bowl,” Jesus replied. Then Hhe dipped the piece of bread into the bowl and handed it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And when Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus looked at Judas and said, “What you are planning to do, go do it now.” 28 None of those around the table realized what was happening. 29 Some thought that Judas For some of them thought, (because Judas had the bag) their trusted treasurer, was being told to go buy what was needed for the Passover celebration, or perhaps to go give something to the poor. 30 So Judas left quickly and went out into the dark night to betray Jesus.

31 After Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the glory of God to surround the Son of Man, and God will be greatly glorified through what happens to me. 32 And very soon God will unveil the glory of the Son of Man.

Notice that the disciples drew two conclusions when Judas left the building: buy something needed for the Passover celebration or, go give to the poor.  It is clear from their assumptions that giving to the poor was frequent and customary for Jesus to instruct Judas concerning distributing from “the bag”.

The Beloved Disciple also wrote in Chapter 12:

3 Mary picked up an alabaster jar filled with nearly a liter of extremely rare and costly perfume—the purest extract of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet. Then she wiped them dry with her long hair. And the fragrance of the costly oil filled the house. 4 But Judas the locksmith, Simon’s son, the betrayer, spoke up and said, 5 “What a waste! We could have sold this perfume for a fortune and given the money to the poor!”

6 (In fact, Judas had no heart for the poor. He only said this because he was a thief and in charge of the money case. He would steal money whenever he wanted from the funds given to support Jesus’ ministry.)

Judas’ heart was revealed in verse 6 of this passage, this is what allowed the devil to use money as a means of entering into Judas in the next chapter.  Someone charged with being a treasurer for the Kingdom must ascend to the level of maturity where a pure heart guides their every action.  Otherwise, the adversary will use greed as an entrance.  This is a very sober and critical warning to those who think FATHER wants them to handle HIS funds and I would take this warning seriously.  I have observed the fallout many times over the years concerning misuse of funds meant for FATHER’S Work.  Exposure and judgment often arrive swiftly.

There have been those who have aligned themselves with the calling to be treasurer for the purpose of hoping to reap the benefits without paying the price associated with the calling.  They were simply acting out of selfish reasons rather than be truly called to be a part.  They too fell by the wayside.

Every calling requires purity in spirit and commitment to full maturity in Christ.  Will FATHER call you HIS Friend even though you are HIS Son or Daughter?  Don’t let “the bag” or any other flesh hook draw you away from full maturity IN HIM. 

Jesus exposed Judas to HIS Beloved Disciple John prior to the act of betrayal.  John bore witness as He recorded the above passages for our benefit.  The stakes will be great in 2021 so let us be prepared to be tested in our own callings.  Don’t let “the bag” have any effect as we come to full maturity for the treasures in Heaven are much greater than any treasure on earth.  The exposure of corruption is expected to continue and increase this coming year.  In Mathew chapter 6, Jesus spoke:

19 “Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. 20 Instead, stockpile Heavenly treasures for yourselves that cannot be stolen and will never rust, decay, or lose their value. 21 For your heart will always pursue what you value as your treasure.”

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