Jesus Knew From the Beginning

After many of the disciples were offended by the Savior’s Bread of Life sermon, John tells us that “Jesus knew from the beginning who they are that believed not, and who should betray him” (John 6:64).  A few verses later Christ confirmed this when He alluded to Judas Iscariot well before the apostle’s betrayal would come: “Have not I chose you twelve, and one of you is a devil?”  We might wonder why he would choose Judas in the first place, knowing what He knew of the future, but I think this teaches us that God does not limit our possibilities based on His omniscient knowledge.  We didn’t come to earth to prove to God of our faithfulness, but to prove it to ourselves, and because a disciple of prominence proves unfaithful does not mean that it was a mistake for him to have been given such a position.  I believe this helps us understand some of the events of the Restoration when so many of the early leaders apostatized.  For example, the little known Jesse Gause was called was called as a counselor to Joseph Smith in 1832, but shortly thereafter “failed to continue in a manner consistent with his appointment” and was excommunicated by the end of the year (see D&C 81 heading).  He must have for a time embraced the gospel, and the Lord gave him great opportunities even though He knew that Jesse would prove unfaithful.  John C. Bennett was given positions of great prominence in Nauvoo and in the Church for a short time but eventually became a bitter opponent of the Church.  Why would the Lord call him in the first place?  John Taylor wrote, “Respecting John C. Bennett: I was well acquainted with him.  At one time he was a good man, but fell into adultery, and was cut off from the Church for his iniquity” (History of the Church, Vol. V., p. 81).  He had potential to be a great contributor, and the Lord did not limit his possibilities just because he would not remain faithful.  In fact, the language of the commendation by the Lord in D&C 124:16-17 hints at the God’s foreknowledge:  Great blessings were promised him “if he do this… if he receive counsel… if he continue.”  But he did not and was cut off only after he sinned and rejected the Lord.  We are all entitled to the greatest blessings of the Lord, and each of us can rest assured that ultimately the only one that will stop us from receiving them is our self.