GOD Morning! June 3 / Does God Have Favorites?

GOD Morning!  June 3

Does God Have Favorites?

John 13:21-38

²¹ After Jesus had said these things, He was troubled (disturbed, agitated) in spirit and said, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, one of you will deliver Me up [one of you will be false to Me and betray Me]!

²² The disciples kept looking at one another, puzzled as to whom He could mean.

²³ One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved [whom He esteemed and delighted in], was reclining [next to Him] on Jesus’ bosom.

²⁴ So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask of whom He was speaking.

²⁵ Then leaning back against Jesus’ breast, he asked Him, Lord, who is it?

²⁶ Jesus answered, It is the one to whom I am going to give this morsel (bit) of food after I have dipped it. So when He had dipped the morsel of bread [into the dish], He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son.

²⁷ Then after [he had taken] the bit of food, Satan entered into and took possession of [Judas]. Jesus said to him, What you are going to do, do more swiftly than you seem to intend and ^[b]make quick work of it.

²⁸ But nobody reclining at the table knew why He spoke to him or what He meant by telling him this.

²⁹ Some thought that, since Judas had the money box (the purse), Jesus was telling him, Buy what we need for the Festival, or that he should give something to the poor.

I believe God DOES have favorites. I heard a sermon about this subject years ago. It stuck with me.

 Basically, the preacher explained that anyone can be a favorite if they have the desire.   

As I ponder this thought, I realize that when someone chooses me and seems to like to be with me, I automatically like that person. When they seem to adore me, I find myself adoring them back.

King David was a favorite.

“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” I Samuel 13:14

“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” Acts 13:22

Jacob was a favorite.

“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." Romans 9: 10-13

Jacob was focused on one goal. Seeing God face to face.

“ And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok.  He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.”

But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”

²⁷ So He said to him, “What is your name?”

He said, “Jacob.”

And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”

And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.

So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”  Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank.” Genesis 32:22-32

Jacob wrestled with the angel all night long. He was desperate for God. And he found God!

Have you heard the phrase, “Out of sight, out of mind?”

As I stop and think about it, I realize that when I don’t see or hear from someone for a long time, the memory of them fades. But the person who is by my side all the time gets my full attention.

John was a favorite. Why? I believe the reason is simple. He was by Jesus’ side constantly. I love the mental picture that I have of John laying back on Jesus’ chest. This brings tears to my eyes.

I want to lay back on Jesus’ chest and feel His heartbeat.

“Dear Jesus, I long to be a favorite child. I want to commune with You like never before. I want to feel your heart of compassion. I want to bless You with my sacrificial worship. I want to stick close to Your side all day every day. I want to draw near to You, my dear Father. Please hear my humble cry! How I love You Jesus!  AMEN.”