John 13:21-30

John 13:21-30

After saying these things, Jesus was being greatly distressed in spirit.  And He testified and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you all that one out of you all will hand me over.”  The disciples were looking into each other while being at a loss regarding whom He says this thing.  One out of His disciples was reclining at the chest of Jesus, whom Jesus was loving.  Therefore Simon Peter signaled to this one with a gesture to inquire who it might be about whom He speaks.  Therefore, after reclining upon the chest of Jesus, that one says to Him, “Lord, who is it?”  Jesus answered, “That one is whom I will dip the piece of bread and I will give to him.”  Therefore after dipping the piece of bread He gave it to Judas, of Simon Iscariot.  And after the piece of bread, Satan entered into that one.  Therefore Jesus says to him, “What you do, do it quickly.”  And nobody of the ones reclining at the table knew for what reason He said this thing to him.  For some were thinking that because Judas was having the money box that Jesus says to Him, “Buy that which we have need in the feast,” or in order that he should give to the poor.  Therefore after that one took the piece of bread he went out immediately.  And it was night.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In this passage we have another example of where the disciples just don’t get what Jesus is saying.  Well, at least eleven of them don’t get it.  Jesus tells them that He will be handed over by one of His own.  For the disciples, this is a preposterous thought.  Who would turn on someone that has spent such a great amount of time discipling them?  They truly do not get what Jesus is saying.  They cannot even understand that it is a possibility!  Yet, it is.  One of their own will turn Jesus in.  The disciples will understand after it happens.  But in order to learn this lesson they have to go through it.  Even though Jesus tells them beforehand, they just are not able to get it.  Even though Jesus identifies Judas in their midst, they aren’t able to get it.

How does this help us understand the reality that God’s plan is often beyond our ability to grasp it until it happens?  Why can we not understand the breadth of God’s plan even in those instances when we desperately desire to understand?  If we cannot understand the plans of God fully, how then can we go forward following God?

Second Thought:

In this passage we see the true danger of Satan.  Judas receives the bread dipped into the cup.  Judas receives what we have now come to call communion.  Judas receives what Hebrew people have been receiving for generations as a reminder of how God rescued them out of Egypt.  But what happens when Judas receives what should be a holy reminder of God’s love?  Satan enters into him and the moment is corrupted.  What should be a sign of love becomes a moment of treachery.  This is the power of Satan.  Satan enters into us and takes what should be signs of God’s graciousness within us and turns them into tools for our own selfish agenda.

When has Satan gotten the better of you and corrupted that which God put within you?  How can you overcome such moments?

Third Thought:

In this story of Judas there lies another deep truth.  The rest of the disciples were clueless about what Jesus was saying and what Judas was doing.  We can hide the sin that resides in our heart.  We can keep other people from realizing the depth of depravity within us.  But we cannot hide it from God.  Jesus knew what Judas was up to; He also knows what lies in our heart.  How sad it is that Judas kept his sin to himself so that nobody could help him through his moment of doubt and disbelief.  Because Judas is convinced that he can hide it, Judas ends up falling into the trap of His sin.

How often are you overcome by sin that you think you can manage?  How often do you try and hide your sin from others and God?  What is the result when you bury your sin?

Passage for Tomorrow: John 13:31-35