The Gospel of John - part 33

A Tale of Two Betrayers

Today, we are looking at two betrayals of Jesus. For one, this is the climax. For the other, it is the bitter beginning. Peter and Judas represent two avenues for humanity. Both of them will betray Jesus, but only one will find redemption.

To begin, our story continues following Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Last week we looked at the humility of Christ which is our example and it foreshadowed the coming crucifixion. As we continue our story, consider how Jesus performed the washing knowing He was to be betrayed. Let’s begin.

Judas

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. 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. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some 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. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

John 13:21-30

Jesus is “troubled in spirit”, a phrase we have seen before. The time leading to His crucifixion was certainly a troubling time. As I have said before, if you knew your time on earth was almost finished, you would be troubled too—regardless of your convictions. He is about to face torture and execution. His human nature is troubled.

Added to this trouble is that He is going to be betrayed. Jesus announces this betrayal, and the disciples are confused. Judas has covered his tracks very well. The ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’ is most likely John, and he happens to be closest to Jesus at the meal. Now, Peter showed uncharacteristic restraint but still wants to know who Jesus is talking about. He motions to John to ask who is the betrayer. Jesus tells him it will be the one who receives the morsel of bread.

When Jesus gives Judas the bread, John tells us Satan entered into him. We should note this is the only time John calls Satan by name in his Gospel, and in his writings, Satan is not mentioned again until Revelation. Though John is slow to name the devil by name, here, he wants complete clarity on Judas’ inspiration to carry out the betrayal. Earlier, John had said the devil put in Judas’ heart to betray Jesus, but now we see the fulfillment of Judas’ desire. Jesus, discerning Judas’ state of mind, tells him to do it quickly.

Here, we once again see the tension between man’s will and God’s sovereignty. Judas desired power and money. The devil places a further desire to betray Jesus into his heart. Eventually, this desire consumes Judas. He has chosen betrayal. But, Jesus dictates the timing. The phrasing of “What you are going to do, do quickly” has the connotation of “the quicker the better”. Jesus does not want to drag out Judas’ decision. His hour has come.

Some commentators have noted this entire scene may also illustrate Jesus giving Judas one last time to repent. The seating arrangement described places Judas at a more prominent position—he is close to the guest of honor. For Jesus to dip the bread for Judas and give it to Him is slightly out of the norm for the culture. Some commentators believe it may have been an act to give honor to Judas, another suggests it was a warning. Regardless of the significance, we should understand Judas has the chance to repent, but fails to do so. So, having sealed his fate, Jesus tells him to get on with it.

The disciples are still confused, except of course for John. Judas leaves the meal in the middle of the night. Again, we should remember John uses the time of day to give more than just the setting. We are to understand that Judas has entered into darkness. Jesus warned the Jews and the disciples to walk in the light while they still had it, otherwise darkness would overcome them. Here, Judas is overcome by the darkness of his decisions.

There is more to come from Judas, but for now, I believe this short passage presents us with these principles.

It is possible to walk with Jesus for 3 years and still betray Him.

Judas followed Jesus for about 3 years on this earth. He saw the miracles. He saw the dead raised. He listened to Jesus’ compassion and love. He listened to the fulfilled prophecies. He saw everything the other eleven saw, except for a handful of items, but he still betrayed Jesus.

In times like today, we must remember that no one is exempt from the possibility of betraying Jesus. Time after time, we have read articles, and for many of us, we know people, who after walking with Jesus for perhaps their whole life, betray their Savior.

Pastors who find themselves in “moral failure”—which honestly I hate that phrase. No need to sugar coat it, we can figure it out.

Political leaders in the wide variety of scandals that come out of DC.

Teachers who fail to protect and rightfully teach their students

Family members whose skeletons come tumbling out of the closet.

Unfortunately, we must remember even our most beloved Christians can still find themselves falling away. The only one who should be on your pedestal is the Son of Man who was lifted up for your sin. But, likewise, we must remember that we also are human. It is only by God’s grace and our willingness to walk in His light that we don’t find ourselves in the same dark fall.

Jesus provides multiple times in our lives to repent.

Judas had many times to repent. In this particular instance, it appears that Jesus gave Judas a place of honor at dinner, whether to plead for his repentance or simply as the last meal to a dying friend, we do not know. But, we do know that in the years of walking with Jesus, Judas had the means and opportunity to repent.

For us, while we are still breathing, we have the breath to repent. Whether you have wandered into a church on Sunday, listened to the witness of someone’s faith, or happen to land on a televised or radio church service, God places people in our lives to point us to salvation. Each day of living is a day of opportunity to look to the heavens and cry out for mercy.

But, the warning is equally clear. Each day is an opportunity, but the next day is not guaranteed. Today is the day for salvation, because tomorrow may be too late.

Satan can only control the willing.

I have said before Christians tend to give Satan too much credit. Now, we certainly should not underestimate the devil, after all he is “a roaring lion seeking for someone to devour”. Lions can be terrible creatures that destroy farms and farmers. But they also can be limited and controlled. Satan may be a lion, but he is one that was whipped and defeated by Christ on the cross. He is a limited lion.

I have quoted James often, but it bears repeating, “Resist the devil and he will flee. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. The secret to dealing with the devil is to draw near to God. Read your Bible. Say your prayers. Call on Jesus when temptation comes.

Whatever we decide in our hearts, it is better to get on with it.

This one is mostly a pragmatic principle, but it is biblical nonetheless. Joshua told the Israelites to quit waffling between two opinions. Josiah called for reforms immediately after reading the Torah. Jonah told the Ninevites to repent, which they did immediately and were spared. Jesus says to Judas, “what you are going to do, do quickly”.

Some people struggle with decisions and never seem to act. Whether it is a career decision, a life decision, or picking a restaurant, some people love to ride the fence.

If you have made a decision to follow Christ, then get on with it and follow with full force. If you have decided against Jesus, then quit faking it. Whatever you decide have the boldness to follow your conviction. Of course, I would plead with you to surrender to Christ, but if you are unwilling, then do us all a favor and stop pretending you care about our Lord and Savior.

Peter

 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

John 13:31-38

The second part of our passage today brings us to our second betrayer, Peter. After Judas leaves, Jesus announces God will now be glorified. He is talking about the crucifixion. The entire crucifixion event is to the glory of God. It is God’s greatest glory to destroy sin and death by going to the cross and rising from the dead.

Verse 33 uses an affectionate term for the disciples. John would later use this same term in his letters. “Little children” is meant as a term of endearment, and when John uses it later, he means those who are younger in the faith. It is interesting that John is the only Apostle who seems to favor this phrase. Matthew and Luke use the term, but it is in stories about actual little children. Paul uses it once in Galatians, and that is all. John’s phrasing is a reminder of how much he attached the significance of God’s love in the life of Jesus. Of course, all the Apostles and Gospel writers spoke of the love of God, but in the personality of John, we see how it permeated his writing style. Everything about the Gospel centered on the great love of God, and John wanted to share that love with his audience. Part of that is using this simple term of affection for his readers.

It is a small example of John following the command in verse 34. Jesus gives a new commandment, to love one another as Jesus has loved us. For John, it appears part of obeying this is to call those younger in the faith ‘little children’, because Jesus called them ‘little children’. Is it a small thing? Sure, but faithfulness in small things lead to faithfulness in bigger things. But as we look at these verses, let’s consider 34 and 35 together.

We know who are Jesus’ disciples by the love they have for one another. I have mentioned The Rise of Christianity before, and if you still have not read it, you should. The thesis of the book is this: Christianity’s success is because of the completely counter-cultural lifestyle of Christians. Their love for one another and their fellow man was so unconventional, so drastic, that the pagan world took notice and flocked to Jesus. Today, the truth of this command still stands. The world will know who belongs to Jesus, and will flock to Jesus, if His people will love one another, just as He has loved us.

Absolutely, we must tell the Good News. We must defend the faith. We must seek out the lost and have those faith conversations. But, above all, we must love one another as Jesus has loved us. It is only then that people will know that we are His disciples. Love boldly. “Love like there’s no such thing as a broken heart.” Love one another.

Then, we come to our second betrayer. Peter replies with a question—Where are you going? Jesus replies with a prophecy. Peter cannot follow Jesus just yet, but there will come a time when he will. Peter again replies with an audacious claim—I will lay down my life for you. Jesus again gives a prophecy—the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times. It is a heartbreaking claim. Peter, who for all appearances is the boldest follower of Christ, but he too will fall away before the night is over.

As we look again at the principles from Judas’ betrayal, notice how closely they relate to Peter, as well.

1. It is possible to walk with Jesus for 3 years and still betray Him.

2. Jesus provides multiple times in our lives to repent.

3. Satan can only control the willing.

4. Whatever we decide in our hearts, it is better to get on with it.

Look at them again: Just as Judas walked with Jesus, so did Peter. Jesus gave Judas who knows how many opportunities to repent, Peter, too, had his chances. We do not read about Peter being influenced by Satan, but we can imagine the things that went through his head on the night Jesus went to trial, and Peter strayed away.

But let’s look at how #4 played out very differently for Peter. We will return to Peter’s story, but I would like to skip to the end by looking again at what Jesus says in verse 36. Jesus tells Peter that he cannot follow now, but he will follow afterward. After what? What happens to Peter?

Peter sees the risen Lord. Judas, unfortunately, did not have a chance to see the resurrected Christ. Judas, filled with guilt and misery, took his own life for betraying Jesus. Peter, who denied the Lord three times, stayed alive long enough to see Sunday. Then, Peter is empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to preach salvation to thousands. He will go on to be a pillar in the Early Church. At the end of his life, Peter is sent to Rome where he testifies to Roman authorities alongside Paul. Peter and Paul are both killed in 67 AD, and some traditions hold they were killed on the same day. Paul was beheaded, but Peter followed Jesus in death as he did in life. Peter was crucified as well, but told the authorities to crucify him upside down, because he did not feel worthy to die the same way as Christ.

Remember #4? Whatever we decide in our hearts, it is better to get on with it. Peter was bold throughout the ministry of Jesus. He spoke at times when he shouldn’t, he pulled a sword on a Roman soldier, and he offered to build tabernacles for Moses and Elijah when Jesus transfigured on the mountain. Sometimes he gets a rough treatment for what amounts to foolishness. But, this same boldness turned out well for thousands of people at Pentecost and the following years as Peter served the Risen Lord. Peter decided to follow Jesus, and he got on with it!

So, as we close our study today, I would like to add one more principle to the list:

Love one another as Jesus loved us—boldly and to the end!

Judas missed out on the opportunity to see Jesus. He made his choice, and that was that. Peter, who also denied Jesus, stuck around, saw Jesus face to face, and was restored and empowered to love as Jesus loved. Today, stop waffling over whether you will follow Jesus. Decide in your heart to follow Jesus, to love like Jesus, and to go forth boldly knowing that you, too, will one day see the Risen Lord face to face.