John 13:18-30 No amount of treachery can sabotage God’s plans for His people

John 13:18-30

I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘ HE who eats MY bread has lifted up his heel against ME. ’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” 22 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23 There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” 25 He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29 For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.

Background

Jesus knew that one of His disciples would betray Him. However, that did not change His plans, for He continued to do what was required of Him. The devil through his own devices was eventually turned on his head. Today’s passage teaches us that no amount of deceit and treachery can destroy God’s plans for His people. Therefore, we must be confident that bearing the present perils, God’s people will persevere in what is right and gain the victory.

Observation

HE who eats MY bread has lifted up his heel against ME.

Judas’ betrayal of Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament. Jesus quoted from Psalm 41:9,

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

Jesus, through the Old Testament prophecy made known to His disciples the inevitable that must befall Him – a treachery from a beloved. Affirming the Messianic context of the passage, the following verse (Psalm41:10) speaks of Christ’s victory and resurrection: But You, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them. Jesus went to great length to affirm His disciples that despite the treachery, all things are under the sovereign control of God. And what was prophesied must come to pass including His eventual victory over death and darkness.

In the same breath, Jesus in saying, “He who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me” warned that the treachery against Him would not be an isolated incident. For all who were sent by God would likewise suffer betrayal by their associates.

Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.

Apparently, the disciples had not appreciated the true gravity of the situation – the betrayal of the Son of God is at hand! As Jesus openly revealed His impending betrayal (just short of naming the perpetrator), His troubled demeanor startled the disciples. Since John was closest to Jesus, it was hence most fitting for him to do the probing. Upon Peter’s gesture, John prodded, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” It appeared that Jesus’ words were not within earshot of the disciples as it was meant only for John. What the disciples actually saw was Jesus offering Judas the morsel and saying, “What you do, do quickly.” Jesus’ act of special favor may be His last appeal towards Judas to abandon his treacherous plans. It appears that Jesus’ offer of food may have consummated what Judas had planned all long; for he had gone past the point of no return precipitating Satan’s entry.

Truth

No amount of deceit and treachery can destroy the plans God has for His people. When we come face to face with one who uses manipulation and cunning to get his way, do not be rattled. Do not counter canny with canny, or evil for evil, but focus on doing righteous business as usual. God’s people must out maneuverer evil, not with evil, but with truth. Because God is in total control, He will turn the deceiver back on his head. God had long foreseen the devices of treachery as quoted by Jesus, “HE who eats MY bread has lifted up his heel against ME.” And the psalmist had ordained victory for Jesus, “But You, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, that I may repay them” (Psalm 49:10). Many are tempted to employ deception to counter deception, only to fall into devil’s trap. Jesus did not turn from His usual place of prayer at Gethsemane but allowed Himself to be handed over to the enemy. However, what seemed foolish on the part of Jesus became a snare for the devil resulting in his eternal destruction.

Taking advantage of God’s gifts and grace is a form of treachery. Judas received from Jesus authority for ministry and divine secrets for abundant living only to deliver Jesus to the enemy. In short, betrayal is tantamount to making use of God in order to fulfill one’s personal agenda. The sin for the betrayal of Christ is greater than the sin of those who have never known the truth. Although Christ is no longer on earth making it impossible to betray Him, people however, are doing to the church today, what Judas had done to Christ. The apostle Peter taught,

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 2 Peter 2:20-21

I have come across a number of people coming to church to borrow money and seek help from the pastor only to turn their backs on him. Such people came with personal agenda not to seek God, but to abuse the church’s kindness and trust; they will continue to go to church so long as the blessings keep flowing. People who take advantage of God’s kindness will find it difficult to repent because their hearts have become hardened: the last state has become worse for them than the first.

Application

1. Are you fearful of being betrayed or taken advantage of? Ask God for wisdom to protect yourself from evil. However, do not take matters into your own hand by taking revenge. For you will only fall into the devil’s trap.
2. Do you suppose that you could enjoy God’s blessings while worshiping God in a half-hearted manner? You may be setting yourself up for a precarious situation that could lead to betrayal of God. If you choose to worship God, then love Him wholeheartedly by walking in the truth.

Dear Lord, thank you for protecting me from harm’s way and keep me on the level path of righteousness. Guard my heart from deceit as I endeavor to stay true to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.