ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS IN JOHN'S GOSPEL:
Interaction with a Traitorous Disciple (John 13:21-30)
Interaction with a Traitorous Disciple (John 13:21-30)
Dr. Paul Manuel—2016
This sermon series: Encounters with Jesus in John’s Gospel:
In the first century, the relationship of a rabbi to his disciples is very close, much like that of a father to his sons.1 Jesus is only one of several rabbis at this time who has disciples.2 As we conclude the series Encounters with Jesus in John’s Gospel,3 we consider his Interaction with a Traitorous Disciple. For whatever reason, Judas is dissatisfied with his lot as one of Jesus’ closest followers.4 Perhaps he thinks that the rabbi is too hesitant about promoting his messianic identity and that by increasing pressure from the Jewish establishment it will encourage Jesus to be less timid, or maybe Judas simply sees an opportunity for financial gain.5 For whatever reason, he chooses to betray Jesus to the religious authorities and that decision will lead to the rabbi’s death. This is not entirely unexpected. Jesus has been predicting his betrayal for some time, even before Judas’ initial contact with Jesus’ enemies in the priesthood.6 When after three years together Jesus meets with his disciples for their last Passover before his death,7 he raises again the uncomfortable subject of impending betrayal.
I. The rabbi makes a disturbing declaration (John 13:21-22).
The disciples do not fare much better as Jesus brings up his impending death yet again.
Jesus puts great value on loyalty. He said: “Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven [and] anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matt 10:33, 37a) For you who profess to be Christian, loyalty will not always be easy. There will be pressure (e.g., peer or social pressure) to deny your commitment to him, to conform your thoughts or actions so they meet a standard contrary to what God has established. The challenge in resisting unhealthy pressure to conform is keeping a godly perspective: maintaining your moral compass—what is right versus what is wrong—and maintaining your temporal compass—what is eternal versus what is ephemeral. As C.T. Studd, a British missionary to China stated, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” If you make your life count for him, it will count for you.
After the rabbi makes a disturbing declaration…
II. The disciples attempt a discerning discovery (John 13:23-26).
When God decides to do things a certain way, it is foolish to expect Him to choose whatever alternative you might suggest. God’s plan for your life will always be bigger and better than anything you can propose:
After the disciples attempt a discerning discovery…
III. The traitor acts with a devilish deliberation (John 13:27-30).
This is the latest overt attempt by the devil to interrupt Jesus’ ministry by getting him off-mission.
People often seek to blame others for their own bad decisions. Flip Wilson, a comedian who in the 1970s hosted a popular TV program “The Flip Wilson Show” had a favorite line in the skits he would perform, a phrase he used to excuse outrageous behavior: “The devil made me do it.” Although said in jest, the line became a common foil in public conversation. While it might seem true for Judas, the disciple’s greed exposed him to Satan’s manipulation. As James says,
In another of the Encounters with Jesus in John’s Gospel, one from his inner
circle of followers betrays the rabbi to Jewish authorities who consider him a threat and intend to eliminate him. It is through this Interaction with a Traitorous Disciple that Jesus meets his demise. Yet it is also through this disciple’s betrayal that the savior eventually goes to the cross and that believers have forgiveness of sin. Whatever was Judas’ intention, “God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen 50:20).23
- His interaction with a commercial enterprise ( John 2:13-16)
- His interaction with a royal official (John 4:46-53)
- His interaction with a sick friend (John 11:1-44)
During a wedding rehearsal, the groom approached the minister with an unusual offer: “I’ll give you $100 if you change the wedding vows. When you get to the part where I promise to “love, honor, and obey and, forsaking all others, be faithful forever,” just leave that out.” He passed the minister a $100 bill and walked away satisfied. On the day of the wedding, when it came time for the groom’s vows, the minister looked the young man in the eye and said: “Do you promise to prostrate yourself before her, obey her every command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning of your life together, and swear eternally before God and your lovely wife that you will not even look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?” The groom gulped, looked around at all the people present, and said in a tiny voice, “Yes.” The groom then leaned toward the minister and whispered: “I thought we had a deal.” The minister put the $100 bill into his hand and whispered back: “She made me a better offer.”A good marriage depends on trust. Actually, every good relationship depends on trust, including the relationship between a rabbi and his disciples.
In the first century, the relationship of a rabbi to his disciples is very close, much like that of a father to his sons.1 Jesus is only one of several rabbis at this time who has disciples.2 As we conclude the series Encounters with Jesus in John’s Gospel,3 we consider his Interaction with a Traitorous Disciple. For whatever reason, Judas is dissatisfied with his lot as one of Jesus’ closest followers.4 Perhaps he thinks that the rabbi is too hesitant about promoting his messianic identity and that by increasing pressure from the Jewish establishment it will encourage Jesus to be less timid, or maybe Judas simply sees an opportunity for financial gain.5 For whatever reason, he chooses to betray Jesus to the religious authorities and that decision will lead to the rabbi’s death. This is not entirely unexpected. Jesus has been predicting his betrayal for some time, even before Judas’ initial contact with Jesus’ enemies in the priesthood.6 When after three years together Jesus meets with his disciples for their last Passover before his death,7 he raises again the uncomfortable subject of impending betrayal.
I. The rabbi makes a disturbing declaration (John 13:21-22).
John 13:21 Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth,8 one of you is going to betray me.” 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.This Passover is the third one they have observed together, and Jesus knows it will be the last of his ministry.9
A. It is upsetting to him.John previously described Jesus as “troubled” (John 11:33) after Lazarus had died, and it was then that “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Here, as Jesus anticipates his own death, it is a comparably emotional event. He is again “troubled” (John 13:21) and Luke records that later “his sweat was like drops of blood” (Luke 22:44).
The disciples do not fare much better as Jesus brings up his impending death yet again.
B. It is confusing for them.They are not sure what to make of Jesus’ statement. Should they be sad, as he obviously is? They have heard this prediction before, and the meaning is no clearer. It is hard to fathom that one of their own would turn against the rabbi. They have all been through so much together, received such amazing instruction, seen so many wonderful things. Which of them could possibly turn against all of that?
Jesus puts great value on loyalty. He said: “Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven [and] anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matt 10:33, 37a) For you who profess to be Christian, loyalty will not always be easy. There will be pressure (e.g., peer or social pressure) to deny your commitment to him, to conform your thoughts or actions so they meet a standard contrary to what God has established. The challenge in resisting unhealthy pressure to conform is keeping a godly perspective: maintaining your moral compass—what is right versus what is wrong—and maintaining your temporal compass—what is eternal versus what is ephemeral. As C.T. Studd, a British missionary to China stated, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” If you make your life count for him, it will count for you.
After the rabbi makes a disturbing declaration…
II. The disciples attempt a discerning discovery (John 13:23-26).
John 13:23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.10 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”11 25 Leaning back against Jesus,12 he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”13 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.The first time Jesus made this prediction, Peter objected and received the rabbi’s stern reprimand:
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matt 6:22-23)Here, at this Passover, perhaps fearing a similar dress-down, Peter defers to a fellow disciple.
A. John asks for a clarification.“Lord, who is it?” (v. 25).
B. Jesus answers with an identification.The rabbi does not name the offender but designates him with a sign act, a specific part of the Passover seder.14 Today, this is dipping bitter herbs (maror, e.g., Romaine lettuce, horseradish) in haroset, a sweet mixture of apples, nuts, honey, and wine. Participants normally dip their own bitter herbs, and Jesus does not give special attention to any of the other disciples, but he does here to Judas.15 Nevertheless, the other disciples see nothing particularly unusual in his action.16
When God decides to do things a certain way, it is foolish to expect Him to choose whatever alternative you might suggest. God’s plan for your life will always be bigger and better than anything you can propose:
- Bigger, as He says through Isaiah,
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa 55:8-9)
- Better, as He says through Jeremiah,
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer 29:11)The course God set for Jesus was no exception, however well-meaning Peter’s initial objection may have been.
After the disciples attempt a discerning discovery…
III. The traitor acts with a devilish deliberation (John 13:27-30).
John 13:27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him,17 28 but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor.18 30 As soon as Judas took the bread, he went out. And it was night.According to Matthew’s account, earlier Judas had gone to the priestly opponents of Jesus and asked, “‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.” (Matt 26:15-16)
A. He accepts the payment.From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. That opportunity came after the impending Passover celebration.
B. He activates the plan.Evidently, Judas did not look ahead very far. He failed to anticipate that Jesus would not resist arrest and that the Sanhedrin would turn him over to the Roman governor in their desire to be rid of Jesus permanently.19 Jesus would willingly go to the cross.20
This is the latest overt attempt by the devil to interrupt Jesus’ ministry by getting him off-mission.
- The first attempt to derail Jesus’ ministry was when Satan pressured Jesus to fulfill his mission a different way, but Jesus remained undeterred:
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (Matt 4:8-10)
- The second attempt to derail Jesus’ ministry was when Satan influenced Peter to convince Jesus to fulfill his mission a different way; again Jesus remained undeterred:
Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matt 16:23)
Jesus rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” (Mark 8:33)
- The third attempt to derail Jesus’ ministry was when Satan used Judas to force Jesus to advance his mission a different way; yet again the rabbi remained undeterred:21
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus…. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. “What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him. (John 13:2, 27)Each attempt by the devil to upset Jesus’ ministry would fail, bringing the savior inexorably closer to the cross and to God’s goal of man’s redemption.22
People often seek to blame others for their own bad decisions. Flip Wilson, a comedian who in the 1970s hosted a popular TV program “The Flip Wilson Show” had a favorite line in the skits he would perform, a phrase he used to excuse outrageous behavior: “The devil made me do it.” Although said in jest, the line became a common foil in public conversation. While it might seem true for Judas, the disciple’s greed exposed him to Satan’s manipulation. As James says,
Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15)In other words, man is quite capable of making bad decisions on his own without Satan’s help and to pass the buck is shifting responsibility away from the real guilty party. While Satan may be involved, as he was in Judas’ case, it is only after a person has exposed himself to the devil’s influence by engaging in some sinful activity. Likewise, you must not shirk responsibility and blame the devil (or anyone else) for behavior that is really yours. God provides the remedy for failure: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
In another of the Encounters with Jesus in John’s Gospel, one from his inner
circle of followers betrays the rabbi to Jewish authorities who consider him a threat and intend to eliminate him. It is through this Interaction with a Traitorous Disciple that Jesus meets his demise. Yet it is also through this disciple’s betrayal that the savior eventually goes to the cross and that believers have forgiveness of sin. Whatever was Judas’ intention, “God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen 50:20).23
For a pdf including Bibliography and Endnotes see here.
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