21 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.
Message: The Betrayal of Christ
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: This selection of scripture in study today has mention in the other 3 gospels:
Matthew 26:21-22 - As they were eating, He said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me.” Being deeply grieved, they each one began to say to Him, “Surely not I, Lord?”Mark 14:18-19 - As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.” They began to be grieved and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?”Luke 22:21-23 - "But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” And they began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who was going to do this thing.
There isn't anything real different in the words stated in the other gospels to the account in John though John goes much more in depth.
In the previous words Jesus had been talking of those He chose and yet also speaking of those that will not receive Him. He talks of the feet washing and the importance of being a servant. And then in verse 21 He makes the bold prediction, though it is stated more as a fact, that one will betray Him and He knows who it is and identifies Him (v. 26). I find these words interesting because the betrayal, as I have already discussed, becomes part of God's story or plan for the entire crucifixion story. Yet those present at the time did not understand the significance of it (v. 28). Jesus tells Judas to act quickly (v. 27). And remarks that Satan has now entered Judas, as if he had not up to that point.
In verse 21, Jesus remarks that this announcement of Judas betraying Him is troubling. That troubling description could mean multiple things. (1) It could refer to the simple trouble of Judas and his betrayal despite Jesus having invested time in him. (2) But much is written that the troubling of His Spirit is anticipating now the journey Jesus will take toward the cross, and Jesus ultimately bearing the sin of the world. (3) And then another application is the offense of false teachers or those who speak a contrary word about Jesus.
Summary: Jesus identifies the one who will betray Him, though the disciples don't understand the significance of this at the time.
Promise: From Tabletalk -- Jesus was troubled at the trial that lay ahead of Him, but He was able to persevere in obedience because of His unwavering trust in His Father.
Prayer: O Lord my God you are awesome and your name is to be magnified. You are eternal in your ways and complete in your purposes. Thank you for the standard you have shown that we are to live our lives against, namely to honor You with our lives and give glory to You all of our days. Help us to be a people that honors you always and does not seek after selfish means to please ourselves. Though this happens thank you for your hand of forgiveness. Lord, allow me to remain grieved over the truth of the cross and the need for sin to be expelled at the cross, my sin which so often is a disappointment to me when I commit it, and should remind me always of the suffering you took upon to make my place right with God for eternity. Draw people to yourself Lord. May people be revived in their souls to seek You and turn their lives over to You.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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