Audio By Carbonatix

“Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:53 nlt)

One of the most maddening moments in the Garden of Gethsemane came when Jesus’ enemies finally arrived to arrest Him. Leading the way was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Lord. According to Luke 22:47, “Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss” (nlt).

The obvious question is “Why?” Judas Iscariot had followed Jesus for three years. He had listened to the Lord’s teachings. He had witnessed miracle after miracle. He had watched Jesus expose the hypocrisy of the very people he conspired with to betray Him.

So, why did Judas do it? The closest we get to an answer in Scripture is Luke 22:3, which says, “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot” (nlt).

But that only leads to another obvious question. Why does God allow Satan to exist? In Job 1:7, Satan says, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on” (nlt). But he’s not a passive observer. He’s looking for trouble. He’s looking for lives to ruin. He’s looking for saints to stumble.

So, why does God allow him to carry on? Why doesn’t the Lord just take him out, as He could in a nanosecond?You might be surprised to learn that Satan, in his own twisted way, serves the purposes of God.

Consider how he unwittingly played a major role in the cross of Christ. In his enduring hatred for God’s Son, Satan thought it would be a great idea to have Jesus betrayed, arrested, beaten within an inch of His life, and then crucified and put to death on a Roman cross.

Everything went according to Satan’s plan. As Jesus told the mob who came to apprehend Him, “But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53 nlt).

The power of darkness did indeed reign that day, and Satan’s plan succeeded. But so did the plan of God. What theevil one didn’t realize was that it was God’s plan all along that the Messiah would die for the sins of the world. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we’re told, “It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10 niv).

Unaware that he was making the biggest blunder since his rebellion against God, Satan played into the plan and purpose of God when, in his rage and hatred, he prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12–13).

Satan’s “best shot” against God and the people of God was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And in that act, he notonly unwittingly sealed his own doom, but he also opened the door for Jesus to offer redemption and salvation to the whole world.

Remember, then, if you hold on to God and trust Him through the dark times, Satan’s best shots against you also will end up working for your good—and God’s glory.

Reflection question: What is an example from your life when God used Satan’s attacks against you for your good and His glory?

Copyright © 2026 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/francescoch

Greg Laurie is the pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii and of Harvest Crusades. He is an evangelist, best-selling author, and movie producer. His latest film ‘Jesus Revolution,’ from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, is now available on-demand worldwide.

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com and weekly podcast on LifeAudio.com.

Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.

In thanks for your gift, you can receive a copy of The Jesus Discoveries by Jeremiah Johnston

Did Jesus really exist? Can we trust the Gospels? What does archaeology say about the resurrection? In The Jesus Discoveries, apologist and scholar Dr. Jeremiah Johnston unpacks 10 remarkable findings that support the New Testament and strengthen our understanding of who Jesus is. It’s accessible, engaging, and perfect for believers who want to be better equipped to answer tough questions with truth and compassion. Request your copy this month with your gift to Harvest Ministries.

Click here to find out more!

Audio By Carbonatix

“Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:53 nlt)

One of the most maddening moments in the Garden of Gethsemane came when Jesus’ enemies finally arrived to arrest Him. Leading the way was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Lord. According to Luke 22:47, “Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss” (nlt).

The obvious question is “Why?” Judas Iscariot had followed Jesus for three years. He had listened to the Lord’s teachings. He had witnessed miracle after miracle. He had watched Jesus expose the hypocrisy of the very people he conspired with to betray Him.

So, why did Judas do it? The closest we get to an answer in Scripture is Luke 22:3, which says, “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot” (nlt).

But that only leads to another obvious question. Why does God allow Satan to exist? In Job 1:7, Satan says, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on” (nlt). But he’s not a passive observer. He’s looking for trouble. He’s looking for lives to ruin. He’s looking for saints to stumble.

So, why does God allow him to carry on? Why doesn’t the Lord just take him out, as He could in a nanosecond?You might be surprised to learn that Satan, in his own twisted way, serves the purposes of God.

Consider how he unwittingly played a major role in the cross of Christ. In his enduring hatred for God’s Son, Satan thought it would be a great idea to have Jesus betrayed, arrested, beaten within an inch of His life, and then crucified and put to death on a Roman cross.

Everything went according to Satan’s plan. As Jesus told the mob who came to apprehend Him, “But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53 nlt).

The power of darkness did indeed reign that day, and Satan’s plan succeeded. But so did the plan of God. What theevil one didn’t realize was that it was God’s plan all along that the Messiah would die for the sins of the world. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we’re told, “It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10 niv).

Unaware that he was making the biggest blunder since his rebellion against God, Satan played into the plan and purpose of God when, in his rage and hatred, he prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12–13).

Satan’s “best shot” against God and the people of God was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And in that act, he notonly unwittingly sealed his own doom, but he also opened the door for Jesus to offer redemption and salvation to the whole world.

Remember, then, if you hold on to God and trust Him through the dark times, Satan’s best shots against you also will end up working for your good—and God’s glory.

Reflection question: What is an example from your life when God used Satan’s attacks against you for your good and His glory?

Copyright © 2026 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/francescoch

Greg Laurie is the pastor and founder of the Harvest churches in California and Hawaii and of Harvest Crusades. He is an evangelist, best-selling author, and movie producer. His latest film ‘Jesus Revolution,’ from Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company, is now available on-demand worldwide.

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com and weekly podcast on LifeAudio.com.

Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.

In thanks for your gift, you can receive a copy of The Jesus Discoveries by Jeremiah Johnston

Did Jesus really exist? Can we trust the Gospels? What does archaeology say about the resurrection? In The Jesus Discoveries, apologist and scholar Dr. Jeremiah Johnston unpacks 10 remarkable findings that support the New Testament and strengthen our understanding of who Jesus is. It’s accessible, engaging, and perfect for believers who want to be better equipped to answer tough questions with truth and compassion. Request your copy this month with your gift to Harvest Ministries.

Click here to find out more!