Jesus Confronts His Betrayer.

JESUS CONFRONTS HIS BETRAYER.

John 13:18-30.

JOHN 13:18. Jesus knew whom He had chosen to be Apostles, and was well aware which one would turn out to be a traitor. Yet He knows who are genuine, and who are not. Jesus earlier asked, ‘Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ Literally, Judas was ‘about to deliver Him up’ (cf. John 6:70-71).

Jesus was now confronting His betrayer, and would soon be sending him on his way (cf. John 13:27). As usual, Jesus was master of His own destiny (such as no mere man can be), and all would be fulfilled in accordance with Scripture prophecy. Specifically, it was literally fulfilled that, “he that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me” (cf. Psalm 41:9).

To ‘show the heel’ was the very height of insult, likened to the kick of a stubborn horse at its trainer.

JOHN 13:19. Jesus was telling the other disciples that this was going to happen, and that they should not be surprised at it. Rather, they should understand that His foretelling it is another proof that He is the great “I AM” in whom they are to believe.

JOHN 13:20. “Verily, verily, I say unto you,” adds Jesus. The faithful Apostles are reassured that, despite the apostacy of one of their number, they would continue to be His “sent ones” (which is what the word Apostle means). And those who received them, received Him. And those who received Him, received the Father who sent Him.

JOHN 13:21. Despite the fact that Judas’ betrayal was no surprise to Jesus, yet He was “troubled in spirit.” He was agitated, appalled at the evil He was confronting. It is all part of the spiritual battle in which we all must fight.

JOHN 13:21-22. The solemnity of Jesus’ “testimony” is underlined by His repeating His characteristic and emphatic, “Verily, verily, I say unto you.” He goes on to say, literally, “one out of you will deliver Me up.” No wonder the disciples initially looked at one another in perplexed silence, wondering who it could be.

JOHN 13:23-25. Now the disciples, as was the custom, were reclining around a low table. John’s autograph appears here, as “the one whom Jesus loved.” John was in the privileged position of being the one who was reclining closest to Jesus’ breast, so Peter indicated to John to ask Jesus who it was of whom Jesus spoke. So, John shuffled closer to the Lord, and no doubt whispered, “who is it?”

JOHN 13:26. It is clear from the context that none of the other disciples heard the Lord’s answer. Jesus, despite all His foreknowledge of what would transpire, was still reaching out to Judas when he dipped the bread and handed it to him. This was a gesture of friendship, at the very least.

JOHN 13:27a. Our God is a merciful God, who reaches out in compassion again and again: but ultimately, we must yield. How tragic the hardening, which begins with a thought (cf. John 13:2) but ends with Satan gaining full possession of those who set themselves against God’s grace. [Even at the last opportunity, in the very moment of His betrayal, Jesus was still reaching out to Judas and addressing Him as ‘Friend’ (cf. Matthew 26:50).]

JOHN 13:27b. Jesus now said out loud, “What you are doing, do quickly.” This seems an odd thing to say, maybe containing reproach, but also permission: but that is the mystery of the incarnation. Humanly speaking, Jesus may be “troubled” (cf. John 13:21) - but as God, He is directing the paths even of His enemies.

JOHN 13:28-29. The companions at the table had no idea what had just happened: and neither Jesus nor John were inclined to tell them. So, some thought this, and some thought that, each concluding (it seems) that Jesus had entrusted their Treasurer with some seasonal task.

JOHN 13:30. Hastened no doubt by his own conscience, and Jesus’ implied rebuke, Judas took the sop, and dashed out into - “the night.”