The New Passover Series

• This is exactly what Jesus wants of us in self-examination. We too quickly blame our environment or someone else for our actions, but the best place to deal with sin is to examine our own hearts and confess our sins to Christ.

Please turn to John 13 (p.846)

At the point when the disciples were eating the bitter herbs along with flat bread dipped in the paste of fruit and nuts, in verse 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish/bowl with me. Several dipping bowls were likely set around the table, with Judas apparently sitting near Jesus and sharing the same bowl with Him. The disciples apparently did not fully understand the Lord’s somewhat cryptic response. His announcement emphasized the treachery of the betrayal and also gave the betrayer an opportunity to repent (Grassmick, J. D. (1985). Mark. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 177). Victor Books.).

As the apostle John explains in his parallel account in John 13, they continued to be confused as to the identity of Jesus’ betrayer. John notes:

John 13:21–30. 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. (ESV)

• As wretched and foolish as Judas was, motivated by his own carnal desires, he could neither thwart nor alter the plan of God. In fact, the evil designs of Judas were strategically set by God into His redemptive purposes.

• Just like any evil deed that someone makes, no one can legitimately say that God made them do it or God is at fault for allowing it. People will be held accountable for their evil deeds, yet God’s sovereign plan will prevail.

As Jesus went on to explain in back in Mark: 14:21, For the Son of Man goes as it is written of Him. Everything about to happen to Jesus had been foreordained by God and foretold in Scripture (cf. Acts 2:23). Details about His suffering and crucifixion were predicted in Old Testament passages like Psalm 22; Isaiah 53; and Zechariah 12. Thus, Paul could tell the Corinthians “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3). The plan had been determined in eternity past (cf. Rev. 13:8) and recorded in the Old Testament. Jesus did not go to the cross as a helpless victim but as the obedient Son fulfilling both the word and will of His Father (cf. Matt. 26:54; Luke 24:44; Phil. 2:8). Judas’ betrayal is prophesied in Ps 41:9, and by saying “as it is written” the passage emphasizes once again that the events are not out of God’s control but indeed are predicted by God. Nevertheless, sovereignty is not to be used as an excuse, as if Judas cannot be held accountable for his traitorous actions (Mangum, D., ed. (2020). Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament (Mk 14:17–21). Lexham Press.)