An Intimate Moment with Judas

Oh what a dark shadow now falls across the scene as Jesus deals with Judas, the traitor. It is important to note that Judas was not a true believer; he was a hypocrite. He had never believed in Jesus (John 6:64-71), he had not been bathed all over (John 13:10-11), and he had not been among the chosen ones whom the Father gave to the Son (JOhn 13:18 and 17:12). How close a person can come to salvation and yet be lost forever! At that hour, I see Jesus had two great concerns: to fulfill the Word of God (13:18-30) and to magnify the glory of God (vv. 31-35).

The Scripture Jesus quoted was Psalm 41:9--"Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his hell against me." When David wrote the psalm, he was probably referring to his couselor Ahithophel, who turned traitor and joined Absalom's rebellion (2 Sam. 15-17). It is significant that both Judas and Ahithophel committed suicide by hanging themselves (2 Sam. 17:23 and Matt. 27:3-10 and Acts 1:18). However, Judas did not commit suicide in order to fulfill biblical prophecy, for that would make God the author of his sin. Judas was responsible for his own decisions, and those decisions fulfilled God's Word.

I see Jesus was concerned that Judas' treachery would not weaken His disciples' faith. This is why He related it to the Word of God: when the disciples saw all of this fulfilled, it would make their faith stronger (see John 8:28). Judas had been disloyal, but He expected them to be loyal to Him and His cause. After all, He was God the Son sent by God the Father. They were Christ's chosen representatives; to receive them would be the same as receiving the Father and the Son. What a privilege, to be ambassadors of the King!!!

The remarkable thing is that the others at the table with Jesus did not know that Judas was an unbeliever and a traitor. Up to the very hour of his treachery, Judas was protected by the Saviour whom he betrayed. Had Jesus openly revealed what He knew about Judas, it is likely that the men would have turned upon him. Remember what Peter did to Malchus when soldiers came to take Jesus?!

From the very beginning, Jesus knew what Judas would do (John 6:64), but He didn't compel him to do it. Judas was exposed to the same spiritual provileges as the other disciples, yet they did him no good. The same sun that melts the ice only hardens the clay. In spite of all that our Lord said about money, and all of His warning about covetousness, Judas continued to be a thief and steal from the treasury. In spite of all our Lord's warning wbout unbelief, Judas persisted in his rejection. Jesus even washed Judas' feet! Yet his hard heart did not yield.

Jesus had spoken of a traitor before (John 6:70), but the disciples didn't take it to heart. Now, the disciples were perplexed when He openly spoke of it.

Peter signaled John to find out who the traitor was. I really believe the Lord's reply to John was not heard by all the men; in fact, they were carrying on discussions among themselves about who the traitor might be (Luke 22:23). When Jesus gave the bread to Judas, it was interpreted as an act of love and honor. In fact, Judas was seated at the place of honor, so our Lord's actions were seen in that light: He was bestowing a special honor on Judas. No wonder, after Judas left the room, the disciples got into an argument over who was the greatest!

Can you imagine John? He was no doubt stunned, to say the least, by this revelation, but before he cous say or do anything, Jesus had sent Judas on his way. Even though Satan had entered Judas, it was Jesus who was in charge. He lived on the timetable given to Him by the Father, and He wanted to fulfill what was written in the Word.

Keep in mind that Judas knew what he was doing and that he did it deliberately. He had already emt with the Jewish religious leaders and agreed to lead them to Jesus in such a way that there would not be any public disturbance. He heard Jesus way, "Woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born!" (Matt. 26:24) Yet, he persisted in his unbelief and treachery.

John's little phrase "and it was night" carries a tremendous impact when you remember that "light" and "darkness" important spiritual images in his Gospel. Jesus is the Light of the world, but Judas rejected Jesus and went out into darkness; and for Judas....and it goes unheeded by lost sinners today, people who will go where Judas went unless they repent and trust the Saviour.

The instant Judas was gone, the atmosphere was cleared, and Jesus began to instruct His disciples and prepare them for His crucifixion and His ultimate return to heaven. It was after Judas' departure that He instituted the Lord's supper, something that Judas as an undeliever certainly could not share. Judas was out in the night, controlled by the prince of darkness, Satan; but Jesus was in the light, sharing love and truth with His beloved disciples. What a contrast!!

I need to run...Jules, alert the Sistah's to be praying. Jim just called from the car dealership and I need to take him to the ER. Something terrible....more later.