February 22: BETRAYAL!
From that time, many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:66-68
Drastic measures toward the arrest of every Lutheran in Paris commenced. A poor artisan who had embraced the reformed faith had volunteered as summoner of the believers to their secret meetings for praise and worship. He was seized and ordered to conduct the papal emissary to the home of every Protestant in the city. He shrank in horror at this command, but at last fear of the stake’s flames wore down his resistance, and he consented to become the betrayer of his brethren. Preceded by the host, and surrounded by a train of priests, incense bearers, monks, soldiers, and Morin (the royal detective), the precession slowly and silently passed through the streets of the city, making a demonstration ostensibly in honor of the “holy sacrament,” an expiation for the insult to the mass by the zealous reformers. But beneath this pageant was a deadly purpose. Upon approaching the house of a Lutheran, the betrayer made a sign, but no word was uttered. The procession halted, the house was entered and the family dragged forth and chained. Then the terrible company went forward in their search. They spared no house, great or small, not even the colleges of the University of Paris. Morin sent a tremor throughout Paris. It was a reign of terror. Adapted from The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White (page 226)
King Francis I had finally made up his weak mind, choosing the side of evil. All of his energy and influence was directed against the cause of Christ. It is disheartening that the poor artisan who had believed the true message allowed threats from such a wicked man to convince him to betray his brethren. Beloved, times of testing are ahead. You may be in the midst of a fiery trial even at this moment. Make sure that your focus is upon Jesus, the exemplary Overcomer (see John 16:33). If our trust or focus is on anyone other than Jesus, we place ourselves at risk of failing to stand rigorous testing. Remember that God allows testing in the essential process of refinement and sanctification. He comes to the aid of every dear soul who is wholeheartedly surrendered to Him. Testing, properly endured, will serve to fully destroy the bonds of the enemy that attempt to hold you captive, just as Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace destroyed the bonds with which his mighty men of valor (Daniel 3:20) bound Daniel’s three friends before casting them into the fire.
“Look!” [Nebuchadnezzar] answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Daniel 3:25
To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, and he shall not be hurt by the second death. I will give him hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. I will give him power over the nations and I will give him the morning star; he shall be clothed in white garments. I will not blot out his name from the book of life. I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and I will write on him My new name; he who overcomes will be granted to sit with Me on My throne. (promises of Jesus in Revelation 2 and 3)