Betraying

Betraying

John 13:21-30, NLT

Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!” 22The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. 23The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. 24Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” 25So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?” 26Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. 27When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” 28None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 29Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. 30So Judas left at once, going out into the night.

Setting the Scene

Although Jesus knew Judas was about to betray him, he didn’t stop the process. Jesus was committed to completing his mission “to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). Jesus must have expressed his inner turmoil when he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

Peter signaled to John to ask Jesus for more information. So John asked, and Jesus identified the betrayer as “the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” Then Jesus dipped the piece of bread into a dish filled with a sauce (probably made of dates, raisins, and sour wine) and handed it to “Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.” With this sign of friendship, Jesus identified his betrayer. Later, in the garden, Judas would identify Jesus to the guards with another sign of friendship—a kiss (Luke 22:47-48). After Judas received the bread, “Satan entered into him,” setting the betrayal in motion. Satan assumed that Jesus’ death would end his mission and thwart God’s plan. Like Judas, Satan did not know that Jesus’ death was the most important part of God’s plan.

Satan’s role in the betrayal does not remove responsibility from Judas. Judas may have been disillusioned because Jesus was talking about dying rather than setting up his Kingdom, and he may have been trying to force Jesus’ hand to make him use his power to prove he was the Messiah. Or perhaps Judas didn’t understand Jesus’ mission and no longer believed Jesus was God’s chosen one. Whatever Judas may have thought, clearly Satan used his doubts, fears, and disillusionment to convince him to do the unthinkable.

Getting Personal

When have you felt like an outsider to Jesus and his close followers?

When do you feel impatient with the way God is unfolding his plan?

Three truths emerge from this incident. First, Jesus’ love knows no limitation. He loved Judas even with his deceptions, plots, and eventual betrayal. Second, no one is immune from Satan’s attacks and manipulations; we should always be on guard. Third, God can use for his glory even the most despicable act.

Talking to God

Praise God for his sovereign, omniscient control that works even wrongdoing for his own purposes. Thank him, too, for his love that persists despite your sin.