New Here?Wednesday of Holy Week 2021 Betrayal
Sean Roberds | Mar 25, 2021
Wednesday
John 13:21-30
Betrayal
Jesus Foretells His Betrayal
21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23 One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.”[a] So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.[b] 27 After he received the piece of bread,[c] Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the festival”; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Reflection
There is nothing worse than being betrayed by one of your own. Jesus was handed over to be crucified by Judas, one of twelve he picked to follow him and to be in his inner circle. We don’t really know why Judas did it. Verse 27 tells us that Satan entered into him. Did the devil make him do it? Some have wondered if Judas was simply forcing Jesus' hand to make him fight for his life. Thinking that Jesus would assume the role of a warrior messiah and free Israel. Clarence Jordan once speculated that Judas might have been manipulated by the Scribes and Priests who played on Judas’ young naiveness to convince him he was the only one who could save Israel from a teacher who had gotten out of control. Who knows what drove Judas to betray Jesus. Sometimes those that are closest to us hurt us the most. As soon as Judas left, Jesus told the rest of the disciples, “now the Son of Man has been glorified”. Everything was set in motion. There was no going back. Jesus would die. Glorification in death because of the greatness of God. Yet it all began by the treachery of a close friend. John tells us that when Judas left it was dark. How fitting.
Questions
Why do you think Judas betrayed Jesus?
When have you been disappointed by someone close to you? When have you disappointed someone you loved?
What can you do to help someone who feels betrayed?
