Even Though He Knows

I want to point out something in my readings that I found very amazing...it won't take long, but I hope you find this encouraging.

Matthew 10:1-4
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Oh boy, another list of names...let's just skip it...we get it.  Jesus calls disciples.  Sounds good!

Wait...what???  (REFER TO VERSE 4)

Judas Iscariot...who betrayed him....

Jesus calls a man, who is going to turn his back on Jesus...and Jesus knew it. 

If Jesus can call Judas as a disciple and consider him as close as a brother, and love him consistently...EVEN THOUGH he knew what Judas was going to do to him...how much will he love us and be consistently in love with us!  How much will he use us and call us to do great things! 

Psalm 139 says over and over again how much God knows us...He knows our deepest thoughts, most inner feelings...we can't hide anything from God.  This is amazing...yet so scary because every wicked thing that dwells in our hearts, God sees.  Every shameful sin, every idol we hold higher than God, God knows.

Judas would hold money higher than Jesus, but Jesus called him anyway.  Your past is no excuse to be used by God today.  Your future is no excuse.  Jesus calls your regardless.  He already knows...and he still wants you despite it.  How awesome is that?? 

I love you all.  May this bring you encouragement today.