John 13:18-30 Jesus Identifies His Betrayer
“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. Most assuredly, 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 these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.
Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.”
Jesus and the disciples have just finished the Passover meal. Jesus has stripped down, washing the disciples’ feet, and then has dressed again. In explaining this act of service, Jesus tells the disciples, “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” The disciples have been arguing over eventual places of power in the Kingdom of God; meanwhile, Jesus wants them to realize that positions are earned by serving, not by fighting. Jesus also wants them to know that when he sends someone out, true believers will receive them. “Most assuredly, 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 these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Jesus is distraught, because he knows that Judas is about to betray him, even though Jesus has just washed Judas’ feet along with the other disciples. Up to the last second, Jesus is giving Judas the chance to change his heart and not meet with the religious leaders as he has planned. When Jesus washes Judas’ feet, does Judas have any pangs of conscience or does he harden his heart further? Interestingly enough, the other disciples are clueless, for they nudge John, who is lying closest to Jesus, to ask Jesus.
“Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.” Although John comments that Satan enters Judas after Jesus gives him the piece of bread, Satan has already been working on Judas; otherwise, the foot washing would have melted his stony heart. But even after Jesus hands Judas the piece of bread, the disciples still refuse to believe that Judas really might betray Jesus.
“Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.”
As a leader, how do you handle a situation in which you have a traitor who is actively conspiring against you? First, you must be certain that such treachery actually exists, for there are always tale-bearers who hope to curry favor by pouring poison about others in your ears. Listening to those who wish to flatter you is always dangerous, for such people will say anything to gain an advantage over others.
What if you truly are working with someone who is attempting to undermine your best efforts? As the head of a mission hospital, I have endured staff strikes against me on three separate occasions. Each time, these strikes were led by those who hoped to gain some position or favor to which they were not entitled or who wished to eliminate me because I was preventing them from stealing. My answer: investigate the underlying causes to ensure that no injustices are actually being committed, correct anything that is correctible, and then leave God to sort out the human element.
Sounds sloppy, right? But only God knows human hearts and only God can deal with people properly. As soon as we attempt to take revenge over some imagined insult, we risk hurting someone innocent about whom we have believed lies. In any such situation, there are generally a few ring leaders who have incited several followers who are easily swayed in any direction. We sponsored one nurse who had led a strike to a course in pediatric nursing because we needed his talents at our Children’s Ward. He worked with us for a few years and then left, becoming a pastor.
Treachery is always painful, and we should consult God before trusting people implicitly. But believing rumors and acting on them can lead to disaster, both for us and also for any institution or group with which we are working. Deuteronomy 32:35 tells us, “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them.’” Evil carries with it the seeds of its own downfall. Medieval Christians in England were fond of saying, “God sort all!” If we wait on God to sort things out, He can do so without mistakes. If we attempt to sort things out, we can destroy innocent people. May God help us, so that we will wait on Him and allow Him to handle traitors.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to wait on You, knowing that You can take care of liars and traitors far better than we can. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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