John 13:1–38

November 05, 2012

I have been thinking about this chapter for days now but have been unable to write because of the whirlwind surrounding the birth of our youngest (and last) grandchild.

It was time. It was time for Jesus to leave this world and go back to the Father. His time on earth and His work was nearing completion. Jesus washed the disciples feet showing them by example how they were to serve others as He (their teacher and Lord) served them. Jesus told them what was going to be happening even though they couldn't clearly understand what it all meant. John 13:19 - "I am telling you this now before it happens so that when it happens, you will believe that I am he." 

We strongly feel God has done this in our lives. He has revealed things to us before it happens, then when we see it happen it increases our faith. This is also why we go way out on a limb and tell others what we feel God has revealed to us so that when it happens their faith will be increased as well. John 13:20 - "I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send also accepts me. And whoever accepts me also accepts the One who sent me."

God has been faithful to us. We need to share His faithfulness with others. ALL for the purpose of bringing Honor and Glory to Him.

The betrayal by Judas. I've been thinking about the progression of sin/evil in Judas' life this past week. Judas was not a victim of circumstances. In John 13:27 it says that "Satan entered him." He was not an innocent man that was somehow taken over by Satan and therefore a victim of circumstance. He was not a victim—he was the product of his own choices. There should have been a progression to understanding, belief, and heavenly reward. Instead there was a regression to lies, deceit, and destruction. A downward spiral.

• Judas was one of the twelve apostles  Luke 6:12–16 - "Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the night praying to God. The next morning, Jesus called his followers to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles... Judas Iscariot, who later turned Jesus over to his enemies." Since Judas was following Jesus he had every opportunity to be curious about who this man was, and he had every opportunity to be interested in what this "man" was saying and doing. You can know of Jesus without knowing Jesus as your Savior and believing in Him.
• Judas followed—but he did not believe. He witnessed it ALL. The miracles, the many healings, the teachings about needing to change your hearts and lives. He was there. He heard the truth. He knew the way. He was shoulder to shoulder with believers. He was physically next to the living, breathing Christ. And yet even with all of that, he didn't somehow see the need to do what he was hearing Christ say. He fooled all those around him. All but Jesus. Jesus KNEW the truth. Judas was religious, but he was an unbeliever. (John 6:70–71)
• Judas was a thief—and not just of money. His life was an act of thievery. Judas acted appalled at expensive perfume being "wasted" on Jesus when that money could have been given to the poor, when in truth "Judas did not really care about the poor." He was only thinking about himself. He kept the money box, "and he often stole from it." He was there when Jesus taught about taking care of the poor. He was there when Jesus talked about stealing. He was there when Jesus taught about people who searched the scripture thinking knowledge would save them. He was there when Jesus talked about what would happen to those who refuse to come to Him for eternal life. (John 5:39–40) He was there when Jesus said the only way you are a true follower is if you obey His teachings. (John 8:31) He was there when Jesus taught about being the light of the world. He was there when Jesus taught that a good tree cannot produce bad fruit and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. He was there. He knew what Truth was and he knew there really was only two choices; you are either following light—or— you are following the father of lies. He was there!! He was there for it ALL.
• Judas chose his own way. Step by step he chose himself over Christ. Each step of disobedience led to more disobedience. He was listening to the father of lies instead of the Spirit of light and truth. "The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot... to turn against Jesus." (John 13:2) This was not a hostile take-over by Satan. This was step by step disobedience by Judas who refused to accept the God → man relationship and surrender his will to God's will, opening a crack in the door and allowing the father of lies to influence him.
• Judas hid "the truth" well. When Jesus said at the last supper that one of the twelve was going to betray him they all looked around and said, "Lord, who is it?" No one said "It's Judas! I always knew something was off with him! I could tell he wasn't who he said he was." No. No one knew except Jesus. He "acted" the part well. He knew what to say and how to say it. Judas was arrogant. Even after Jesus exposed his life as a lie he kept right on going. When Jesus dipped the bread and reached out his arm to hand it to Judas, he didn't shrink back and scream out—NO! Father forgive me! No. Instead, Judas took the bread, and as soon as he did (the final defiance) "Satan entered him." Judas himself, by his own selfish choices and actions, opened the door—and Satan entered. Now it was too late. There comes a point in time when enough is enough. There comes a time of accountability and God allows us to be turned over to the father of lies. Judas thought he was in control. But he was deceived. Self deception says, "I can do this... I am in control... I.. I... I...," and the door is opened, Satan enters, and it is too late.
• Judas took the bread and immediately went out. "It was night." Judas went out into darkness. The other disciples still didn't understand what was happening. Judas hid his true intentions well.

But! That is not the end of the story. When Judas was gone, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man receives his glory, and God receives glory through him." (John 13:31) Now! All of what transpired with Judas happened so that—Now! HIS glory could be shown! And Jesus gave a new command: "Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other." (John 13:34–35)

It all comes down to our choices. There are two ways to live. Light—or—Darkness. The choice is ours.

Psalm 1

Happy are those who don't listen to the wicked,
     who don't go where sinners go,
     who don't do what evil people do.
They love the Lord's teachings,
     and they think about those teachings day and night.
They are strong, like a tree planted by a river.
     The tree produces fruit in season,
     and its leaves don't die.
Everything they do will succeed.
But wicked people are not like that.
     They are like the chaff that the wind blows away.
So the wicked will not escape God's punishment.
     Sinners will not worship with God's people.
This is because the LORD takes care of his people,
     but the wicked will be destroyed.

After Judas was gone Jesus began to teach.


Next Entry: John 14:1–31