Jesus was very upfront with His disciples that He was about to die. He even identified His betrayer. This daily devotional explores why Jesus said He was honoring Judas when He identified him.
Right after the feet washing incident, Jesus pulled the rug out from under the disciples feet. He had long been telling them He was going to die in Jerusalem. Some might feel that it was creepy enough that Jesus knew He was gong to die.
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This time Jesus got a little more specific. He was going to be betrayed — and by one of them.
Why would Jesus even allow that? Why did the betrayer have to be one of His? Did it even matter in the scheme of things? God’s plan was for Jesus to be the blood sacrifice, so it didn’t matter who was responsible for handing Him over. The most important part of the plan was Jesus was the sacrifice.
Where Are We At in the Story?
But let’s go back for a second and put all of this in context. The disciples had been getting this “smell me” attitude because they thought they were going to get wonderful jobs in Jesus’ new earthly kingdom.
Jesus washed their feet and told them, “… a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (Jn. 13: 16-17 ESV). How was that as a shake His finger at them?
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Identifying the Betrayer
"He told me, 'It is the one I honor by giving the bread dipped in the sauce.' And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot" (Jn. 13: 26 LB)
Then Jesus segues into, “But I am not talking about all of you.” In fact, He was going to single out one person.
Jesus had His reasons for telling the disciples what was going to happen before it happened. He wanted them to know it was foretold — by Scripture and by Him.
Psalms 41: 9 says, “Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me” (NIV). It was important to Jesus that the disciples — even Judas — knew this was in the plan all along (Jer. 29: 11). It was Judas’ choice, but God knew what choice he would make.
We had to know more than just Jesus knew His Scripture, though. Psalms 41: 9 didn’t tell us who the close friend was. Yes, it probably cut it down to the Twelve, but wasn’t it so much more impressive that Jesus named Judas by name?
Errr, well, by dipping sauce.
It really identified Jesus as “… ‘I am who I am’” (Jn. 13: 19 NIV). Jesus was God because He knew and foretold the future.
It completely blew the disciples’ minds that one of them could betray Jesus. But even with them thinking none of them could do that, they asked, “… ‘Surely you don’t mean me?’” (Mk. 14: 19 NIV).
Jesus let it eat at Him a little more; then He identified His betrayer. “… “It is the one I honor by giving the bread dipped in the sauce …” (Jn. 13: 26 LB).
Jesus Honored Judas
Wait. Jesus honored Judas by giving him the bread? Jesus honored him by singling Him out as the betrayer? You would think that He wouldn’t be so chummy with the guy that is going to hand Him over to the authorities to kill Him.
Think about Judas a second. He was a man who has spent the last three years with the greatest Teacher who has ever lived but hadn’t learned Who He really was. Judas got the same teaching as the others. He got the same access to Jesus. Jesus answered every question he raised and offered advice when asked. But Judas didn’t change his attitude.
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John 13: 27 says, “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him …” (NIV). I wonder if Judas could have refused the bread. That may have been his last opportunity to give up the plan to betray Jesus. After Satan got a hold of him, the dye was cast.
When Judas took the bread, Satan was probably doing a happy dance. He thought he had won. Things were going according to his plan.
But God has beaten Satan because He is more powerful. We know the rest of the story.
Making the Connections
Judas was on Jesus’ mind even when He was washing everyone’s feet (Jn. 13: 10-11). He has us on His mind, too — when we are doing God’s will and when we aren’t. Do are actions made Him sad and preoccupied? Or are we following His Will?
Jesus gave Judas several opportunities to give up the plan of betrayal and stay true to God. We get second and third chances, too. “… He is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins” (II Pet. 3: 9 GNT). He doesn’t want to lose anyone.
How Do We Apply This?
God will use everyone and everything to advance His kingdom. He uses believers and non-believers. He uses us when we are following His Will and when we are not.
Even though Judas did play an important role in Christianity, he was not in the most enviable position. Jesus said He was honoring Judas (Jn. 13: 26), but He also said that “… It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Mt. 26: 24 NIV). God would have still accomplished His plan; Judas wouldn’t have had a part.
Still, Judas played a part in the Messiah accomplishing His plan. We should consider it an honor to do His work. He isn’t always going to call us to do the easy work, either. He may call us to do the distasteful. We need to put our allegiance in Him and obediently follow Him.
Merciful Father. You do ask us to take part in furthering Your kingdom. Because You allow us free will, we do not always make the best choices. Your kingdom, however, will still be furthered. You will use us and our actions to accomplish Your plan. You allow us to ask Your forgiveness, and You grant it. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
What do you think?
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It is definitely amazing how God uses the good and the bad decisions that we make. I know in my life I have seen that very principle at work. If course when it’s a decision that go against Him there are consequences but I’m so thankful that He is a God of making beauty from ashes!!
April, it amazes me that God knows what decision I am going to make before I make it. He has it all worked into the plan. Thanks for the comment.
Betrayers are necessary they push you into purpose……..lovely article
Yes, Stacy, they push us into purpose by forcing us to grow. Thanks for your comment.
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