After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He discussed loyalty – or the lack thereof. This daily devotional looks at contrasting betrayal with a life of loyalty.
Nuggets
- Jesus wants all to be saved.
- We need to be strong enough in our faith to know that we haven’t betrayed Jesus.
- Betrayal, while it is an act Satan talks us into, is our own decision.
Devotions in the Living Life Connected to Christ series
Right after Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He knew it was time to send Judas on his mission to betray Him.
That was very hard for Jesus. He didn’t like losing even one soul to Satan.
Let’s take a look.
Let's Put It into Context
Here is a running list of nuggets for the series.
Loyalty Betrayed
“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke” (Lk. 13: 21-22 ESV)
Jesus wants all to be saved.
Jesus just got done saying that one of his friends was going to betray Him. That really troubled Him.
I believe that Jesus didn’t have any second thoughts about going through with the Plan of Salvation. I bet at this time He was more worried about Judas than Himself.
This might have been the beginning of Jesus thinking, “Isn’t there any other way?” I know we normally think about Jesus not going to want to go through the pain and the humiliation of the cross, and that’s why He says Plan B.
We think Jesus struggled with the ingratitude that Judas showed toward Him. It had to hurt that Judas had been His follower for three years – and it come down to this.
But I bet Jesus wasn’t just thinking about how this would affect Him. He was also thinking about how this would affect Judas.
Deep down, I bet Jesus really didn’t want a friend to have to betray Him.
I think it was more than that. I don’t think Jesus wanted to lose a single soul to Satan.
Betrayal Questioned
“One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.’ So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot” (Lk. 13: 23-26 ESV)
We need to be strong enough in our faith to know that we haven’t betrayed Jesus.
In the past, I have wondered why Peter telling John to ask Jesus who the betrayer was had to be included. In a way it seemed out of place.
But it really isn’t when we think about it. It gives an excellent contrast of John and Judas.
John was doing everything right – and did so for a lifetime. Judas wasn’t.
John was loyal. Judas betrayed his loyalty.
Did you see where Judas was sitting? He was in a place of honor, too. John was on Jesus’ right side, Judas, on His left.
Jesus didn’t ban Judas from the meal. He didn’t kick Judas out. Even in a couple of verses when He told Judas to leave, it wasn’t because of hatred.
Judas was still Jesus’ friend.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
For the entire three years, Judas had gotten the same instruction as the other disciples. He turned out a lot differently than the others.
Betrayed Approved
“Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘What you are going to do, do quickly’” (Jn. 13: 27 ESV)
Betrayal, while it is an act Satan talks us into, is our own decision.
Look at verse 27. I read this as Jesus had to grant Satan permission to enter Judas’ heart to tempt him to betray Jesus.
Satan couldn’t just come in and steal Judas away. Where do I get that?
Luke reported what John didn’t. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Lk. 22: 31-32 ESV)
If Satan was asking for Peter, he also had to ask for Judas. Jesus had to tell him that it was okay for His friend Judas — His loved one — to betray Him.
I’ll bet that cut Him deeply.
Ryle brought up something I hadn’t really thought about before. Other than in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus did not see Judas again after he left.
Resource
Jesus left the upper room and went straight to the Garden. Judas went to the Garden by way of seeing the chief priests.
Less than 24 hours later, both were dead.
Why did Jesus have to suffer the turmoil in His soul?
Well, don’t we? Jesus needed to know what we feel.
Making the Connections
How did Judas get to that level of disobedience? Kollock says disobedience comes first to our souls, then it comes out in our actions.
Resource
Jesus knew that Judas was going to be disloyal to Him — and He loved Him anyway. He knew he was going to betray Him, which would lead to a slow, painful death — and He was concerned for his soul.
That is how much Jesus loves us.
Yes, loves. No, not past tense.
Jesus is up in Heaven right now, loving on us.
How Do We Apply This?
- When we want to complain, think about what Jesus went through.
- Satan has to have permission to enter into our lives. Don’t give it to him.
Resource
Through this discussion, we have to remember that Judas made his own decisions. Yes, Satan entered him, but Judas had to make the ultimate decision to betray Jesus.
Satan will ask the same thing of us. Will you betray the Savior and Redeemer? I pray that your answer is no.
Father God. Our hearts break at the thought that one of Jesus’ friends had to betray Him. We know Jesus had to experience this because we do, but we grieve that He had to do that right before His death. Thank You for the contrast of John and Judas. Help us to be more like John. Amen.
What do you think?
Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
If you don’t understand something and would like further clarification, please contact me.
If you have not signed up for the email daily or weekly providing the link to the devotions and the newsletter, do so below.
If God has used this devotion to speak with you, consider sharing it on social media.