Jesus washed his disciples’ feet then predicted his betrayal.
Click here for an online Bible John 13:12-30
Jesus put the washing of their feet into perspective. He was demonstrating his love for them. He told them that they should emulate his actions. Some people take this as a command to practice foot washing ceremonies. The act of washing feet does not have the same meaning for us as it did for them. His command is to demonstrate love for one another in tangible ways.
After showing this incredibly humble love, he told them that one of them was going to betray him. The disciples were amazed. In the gospels of Matthew and Mark, they ask, “Is it I?” All heads did not automatically snap toward Judas. John tells us that Peter wanted John to ask Jesus who it would be. It is interesting that each one questioned if he would be the betrayer. We are all capable of incredible sin. If we think we are not, we don’t really understand sin or ourselves.
Jesus said that his betrayer was the one he gave the piece of bread to. He gave the bread to Judas and at that point Satan entered Judas. So, what is going on here? Jesus told Judas to go and do what he was going to do quickly. The others thought that Jesus was sending him out on some errand. Didn’t they just see and hear Jesus identify Judas as the betrayer?
We can’t say too much for certain since we don’t have a video of the scene. John asked Jesus who it was. Jesus responded with the comment about the bread. Here is how it plays out in my mind. Jesus said that one of the disciples would betray him. There is much buzz about who it might be. Peter just got embarrassed over the footwashing episode, so he’s not going to ask Jesus. So, Peter catches John’s eye and prods John to ask Jesus. John asks Jesus who it is. Jesus says it is the one to whom he gives the bread. He only says this loud enough to be heard by John and Judas. He is confronting Judas who has already met with the religious leaders about betraying Jesus. He is basically forcing Judas to make up his mind – either repent or take the bread. Judas made his decision and then turned himself over to Satan. He took the bread and Jesus told him to do it quickly. Judas left and the others thought that Jesus had sent him somewhere. It is not clear how much John knew at the time.
I think about how often I let Jesus down. He trusts me with responsibilities and has given me gifts and opportunities, yet I still fail him. But he still loves me and wants me. I can not understand his faithfulness and forgiveness, but I am so thankful.
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Nice scenario! I've always pictured it as Jesus saying it loud enough for John to hear only, but with the addition of Judas and the confrontation it does help with understanding how Satan may have entered him. Hmmm... something still seems to bother me about the scenario. The repent part could be very plausible. I think Judas is deeply involved with the religious leaders, but his sin is greed and selfish love. He knows Jesus is something special, and may even believe Jesus to be the Christ, but does not understand how to live in both worlds... Judas, I do believe wants this world and the next and this is how he aligns himself with the Jewish leaders in the plot to crucify Jesus. He understands both sides of the pressing argument and is the very type of the Lukewarm Christian. I agree Jesus is giving Judas chance after chance to make a stance and solidify his place among the real Disciples of Christ. I do not believe this was the first time Satan had entered Judas, but Judas, like lukewarm Christians, resembles other passages that speak of a dog returning to its vomit and a swine to the mud once cleaned.
This passage is for anyone that may be wavering in there decision to accept Christ. I want to try to draw a line between those wavering about what to do with their belief of Christ and those who have not accepted Christ. I think lukewarm Christian are like the dogs and swine, they only come to Christ to get their selfish desires met, like Judas. But those who have accepted Christ and continue growing in faith are not wavering about Christ, although they may seem to waver, but their wavering is more in trying to align with the Holy Spirit. The lukewarm, like Judas, have a difficult time resisting Satan. And yes Satan did enter Judas, but Judas had already contrived the plan to betray Jesus, and Jesus knew of it... Wow, since I was a child I've always felt like God is watching everything I do. I think Jesus had access to the movements and actions and intentions of everyone He ever interacted with, maybe more (as He saw Nathan under the fig tree before Phil called him). I do not totally understand what Judas was thinking at the time just before he took the morsel of bread or to the depth/degree of his self deception, but I think taking the bread was the final act. I just had a thought, I wonder if the Disciples had begun the meal already, maybe if Jesus had not eaten yet, it may have been a sign of disrespect for Judas to take the bread from the Master without Him first eating.
Very interesting discussion point.
Thank you,
EJ
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