John 13:21–30 (ESV)
One of You Will Betray Me
21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at the table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Dear fellow redeemed:
In every conflict, there are at least two opposed to one another. In the case of Jesus, there were many opposed to Him and one who made it possible for His enemies to capture him where the crowds of His followers couldn’t intervene. That man was Judas.
It is true that Jesus’ other disciples left Jesus, and Peter denied knowing him. But they were weak in the face of their fear. Judas was a selfish thief and a liar. Remember when Judas found fault with Mary for anointing Jesus with expensive perfume? “He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.” (John 12:6, ESV) Jesus, Himself recognized that Judas played a pivotal role in His crucifixion. When Pilate told Jesus that He had the power to
release Him or to crucify Him, “Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” (John 19:11, ESV)
It seems that criminals get such a pass nowadays, as though it is all “society’s” fault, and that we have to seek to understand the reasons behind mass murders, cruel assaults, theft of people’s life savings, child trafficking, and exploitation. John isn’t so deluded. His beloved friend was prosecuted purely for political and religious reasons. He was prosecuted out of envy in the Jewish courts on a charge denying the testimony of the prophets, of Jesus’ words, and of the signs of His that He is the Messiah. That court then fabricated a charge of political subversion
and used mass demonstrations, deceit, and extortion to bring about the judicial murder of an innocent man. It shocks the conscience. And so Judas is yet another witness to the Passion of Christ – from the inside. And Judas
testified himself to the evil he had done. “Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:3–5, ESV) The unbelief and evil that led Judas to betray Jesus also led to His despair.
And tonight we commemorate the night in which He was betrayed, for on that night at that Passover Seder he instituted a new supper that would usher in the new covenant. “And when the hour came, he reclined at table and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:14–16, ESV)
What He instituted that night would assure His presence among His disciples – among us – until the fulfillment of the promises of God. And our Lord continued to give this assurance to the church, as Paul wrote, “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:23–26, ESV)
Why the emphasis upon “the night in which He was betrayed”? Why remember Judas’ perfidy and treachery? Whatever happens, happens at a particular time, doesn’t it? The events of Jesus’ passion involved many people, many witnesses, who brought about the death of Christ. To say, “the night in which He was betrayed” places this sacrament in the context of the Passover, and Christ is the perfect Passover Lamb. Another thing is that it highlights the absolute evil that opposes the Good. The devil sought to destroy Jesus as He had contrived to destroy the prophets before Him. We are part of this cosmic war, but we cannot prevail against what Paul terms, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
But Christ has prevailed for us, by suffering the evil of betrayal, judicial murder, and death and the wrath of God over our sins, He has atoned for our sins. And on that night in which Judas betrayed Him, He ordained His eternal presence in that this consecrated bread is His body and this consecrated wine His blood, for the remission of all of your sins.
AMEN