Jesus Predicts Judas’ Betrayal

When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. John 13:21-30

Steps: 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12

Jesus, after washing everyone’s feet, predicts that there is one disciple in the group that will betray Him. All are shocked and start conducting an internal inventory and wonder if it is them. Jesus then identifies the betrayer by saying that it is the one that he will give a piece of bread to. That one was Judas Escariot. Jesus wanted to alert the disciples that this event was happening so that they would know that it had not taken Jesus by surprise. Judas, was still angry for being confronted at the feast of Simon’s house, and he wanted to make a point by forcing Jesus’ hand to state that He was the Messiah. Judas thought he was getting a good bargain, show the Pharisees’ where Jesus was at, make some contacts in upper places, make a few bucks, and then if Jesus stated that He was the Messiah then he would try to take credit for making it happen. Sadly Judas did not understand what was happening to him and he did not ask for help.

Prayer for Today: God, You know that very often we are like Judas and think that we are doing a good thing while doing something addictive. Help us to recognize that our thinking is not too good and help us to be willing to come to You for help. Thank You for not giving up on us but helping us to see things clearly through Your eyes. Thank You for Your grace and love.