Betrayed

GETTING STARTED

Treason is a serious crime with harsh penalties. The United States legal code states, “Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned…” To those of us who are innocent, these penalties seem reasonable because a traitor’s actions can lead to the death of many others.

In our daily lives, we consider a traitor one who betrays trust and confidence, deceives, and leads us astray. But we are inconsistent about the level of deceit we are willing to accept (think white lies).

READ THE WORD: JOHN 13:12-30 (ESV)

¹²When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. ¹⁸I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ ¹⁹I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. ²⁰Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

²¹After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” ²²The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. ²³One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, ²⁴so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. ²⁵So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” ²⁶Jesus 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. ²⁷Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” ²⁸Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. ²⁹Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. ³⁰So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

DIGGING DEEPER

(Today’s questions focus on verses 21-30. Verses 12-20 were covered previously.)

RESPOND TO GOD

Jesus knew that Judas’ impending actions would rapidly set into motion his own death. At this critical moment, Jesus “stopped the clock” and showed Judas his love for him. To the other disciples, Jesus’ prediction prompted them to wonder who would betray him. But to Judas, Jesus’ words were an invitation to turn aside from Satan’s lies.

Throughout his book, John contrasted the results of living in the light to living in darkness so it is no coincidence that Judas departed from Jesus into the darkness full of frustration, greed, and lies from which he never returned. Jesus extends the same invitation to you that he extended to Judas. Have you accepted his invitation or are you still walking in the dark?