*Kingdom Matters Devotional* Topic: His Agenda in What You Call a Mistake (5) _Main Text: Matthew 26:50 — “And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.”_ Saints of God, thank you for your commitment to this series with steadfastness and hunger for divine truth. I pray that the Lord will grant you the grace to finish strong and reap the full reward of revelation in Jesus’ name. Let me begin this edition by drawing your attention to one of the most astonishing statements in the Bible. Specifically, the statement in which Jesus called Judas, “Friend.” You will recall that Judas was not just any adversary by what he did; he was a disciple, someone who had walked closely with Jesus, who then betrayed Him with a kiss. Yet, in that critical hour, Jesus never referred to him as an enemy but chose to call him a Friend. Friends, you will agree with me that Jesus saw beyond Judas’s act of betrayal. He saw purpose. While men label Judas as a traitor and mistake his role as a failure, Jesus recognized him as someone fulfilling a divine agenda. In fact, Judas did not derail the mission, rather, he triggered it. For instance, a critical exegesis of scripture will show that not even Peter, James, or John, His inner circle, were addressed as “friend”. Yet the one who would hand Him over to death received that title. In other words, in the kingdom, friendship is defined not by sentiment but by contribution to divine purpose. Beloved, permit me to tell you that the people you sometimes brand as enemies are the ones God is using to move you toward your assignment. For example, Judas’s betrayal led Jesus to the cross, where redemption for mankind was secured. Without that betrayal, the prophecy may have remained unfulfilled. Most importantly, you must understand that while this is not intended to justify wrong or evil actions, it is designed to remind you that God’s sovereignty works even through human flaws. The crucifixion was not a mistake; it was destiny. Judas, consciously or unconsciously, helped to facilitate it. To this end, it is crucial to understand the following facts. - That, not all who hurt you are your enemies. - That, not all who challenge you are working against you. - That, sometimes, what breaks your heart is what sets your destiny in motion. Child of God, given the above, I can tell you that you may be praying against people, situations, or events that God has allowed for your growth and fulfillment. Therefore, instead of resisting, ask for discernment. Let the Holy Spirit help you to interpret your pain through the lens of purpose. For example, Peter denied Jesus but later became the rock upon which the early Church was built. Judas betrayed Him, and had he not taken his own life, perhaps restoration could have found him, too. Don’t be too quick to write off the “Judas” or “Peter” in your life. They may be instruments of transition. At this juncture, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself: 1. Who have I wrongly labeled an enemy? 2. What painful experience might God be using to usher me into destiny? 3. What am I calling a mistake, that God might be calling a mission? Thank you for studying with me, even as I look forward to studying the next edition with you and your family. Shalom, Bro. Williams Elogun, Gospel Flame Ministry, Worldwide. Follow our Facebook pages for inspiring spiritual updates: @Gospel Flame Ministry @Bro Williams Elogun Join our Facebook group @Kingdom Matter Devotional https://www.facebook.com/share/g/CFMN3Wh2csT5TvCn/?mibextid=K35XfP Join our WhatsApp group: https://bit.ly/3ZxRUBR