“For I Have Given You An Example – Evaluate Your Heart” John 13:2, 21-30

“This Time Next Year” A Sermon Series

“For I Have Given You An Example – Evaluate Your Heart”

John 13:2, 21-30

Big Idea: Helping people to understand the mission of the church takes patience and providing opportunities for a person to change. Jesus gives Judas many opportunities to align with His Messianic mission but Judas wants Jesus to be the Messiah of his own making.

Introduction

Over the course of Jesus’ ministry he tells the disciples that one of them was going to betray him (6:71; 12:4; 13:2). For example John 6:64, 70 takes places after the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus gives a difficult teaching to them, “But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)” and v. 70-71, “. . . one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.” Jesus knew and told the disciples a year before the Last Supper betrayal.

Then we get to the Lord’s Supper and he is washing the disciples feet. “2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, — But Jesus washed his feet anyway.

Isaiah 14:12-14 is a description of Satan’s fall, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! 13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Satan was destroyed by his pride.

When a man is being considered for ministry, we are warned not to choose a man who is a recent convert, 1 Timothy 3:6 “He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” He will fall into the same trap as Satan, he will give over to pride.

The Root of Betrayal is Pride.

Peter and Jesus get into a discussion about washing the whole body, verses just the feet, and Jesus says, vv. 10-11 “And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So let’s look at John 13:18.

The Betrayal Prefaced (vv. 18-20)

18 I 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.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Context

Jesus quotes Psalm 41:9 where it discusses how it feels to have a friend betray you, “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” “. . . it seems most likely that the author (David) was referring to Ahithophel, his faithful counselor, who nevertheless sided with Absalom at the time of Absalom’s rebellion, (It is a tragic story as it unfolds in 2 Samuel 15-17).[1] Jesus’ disciples around the table would have been familiar with the story and the direct quote should have been an indication that Jesus was making a point.

The revolt of Absalom had caught David unaware, and he and his mighty men had been forced to flee from Jerusalem. Ahithophel remained behind. When David heard that Ahithophel was with Absalom. David was greatly concerned, for Ahithophel gave wise counsel. David prayed, “O Lord, turn Ahithophel counsel into foolishness” (2 Samuel 15:31).

God answered David’s prayer, not causing Ahithophel to give bad counsel to Absalom, for Ahithophel continued to speak wisely, but by causing his good counsel to be disregarded. The story concludes by saying, “When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for a house in his hometown. He put his house in order, and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s sepulcher” (2 Samuel 17:23). Judas would eventually hang himself.

And it was probably this verse (Psalm 41:9) Jesus is referring to when he said later in v. 26, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” We have shared a meal, he has eaten my bread, and now he will betray me. “it was a gross breach of hospitality to eat bread with any one and then turn against him so.”[2]

Preparation

Another reason as to why he tells the disciples is because they are already confused and concerned at Jesus’ repeated comments of his upcoming abuse by the religious leaders, scourging, and crucifixion. A betrayal of one of the inner circle of 12 would be catastrophic, so he warns them so they can be prepared. It is also one more proof that Jesus was who He said that He was, “that when it does take place you may believe that I am (I AM, Ex. 3:14)” When they look back on all the events, they would know that Jesus was in control at every step – nothing was a surprise for Him, and no one defeated Him. It was all part of God the Father’s plan, and it would be more thing that pointed to Jesus being God.

Jesus was also preparing them (and the eventual church) that there would be people among the group who did not really believe in Jesus – but did what everyone else was doing. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” The disciples will be sent out as representatives of Jesus.

So when they share the message of Jesus (and people accept their account of Jesus), they will by default be accepting Jesus. When people accept Jesus, they are accepting God the Father who sent Him. Judas never received Jesus as the Son of God, — Jesus was not the Messiah that Judas wanted. But also, there will be those in the church who are not truly believers and are there for their own reason.

King David was betrayed by his own son, Jesus was betrayed by his own disciple who had spent three years with him (he saw all the miracles, and heard all the sermon and parables) – we shouldn’t be surprised when it happens in the church or to us as Jesus’ representatives. Amongst a group focused on the mission given to us by Jesus, there may be a betrayer who is focused on their own agenda.

 Betrayal is not a surprise, but it hurts every time.

One Last Sign of Love (vv. 21-29)

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved[3], was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 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. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

 When Jesus warned the disciples, he was visibly troubled; the disciples could see on Jesus’ face that he was “troubled in his spirit.” Just because Jesus knew it was coming, and was in control of the situation (He allows it to happen), that does not mean that He is not hurt by the betrayal.

When Jesus tells them, “one of you will betray me.” (v. 22) “The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke.” The word for look here means to look in bewilderment. Mark adds in 14:17 “Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” They did not immediately say, “oh. Judas obviously.” They had no idea it was Judas. Judas even hides by asking, “Is it I?”

(v. 24) “. . . so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Peter motions to John without speaking, pointing toward Jesus, mouthing, “ask him . . .”

“The host of the feast (whose role is here filled by Jesus) might well dip into a common bowl and pull out a particularly tasty bit and pass it to a guest as a mark of honor or friendship.” “in this bowl was the haroseth, a fruit paste consisting of dates, raisins, and sour wine.”[4] And because of where John is sitting, and how Jesus describes his ability to easily hand the piece of bread with the haroseth on it to Judas leads us to believe that Judas was sitting on the left of Jesus – the place of honor.

Jesus calls Judas to be one of twelve men set aside as his disciple, Jesus allows Judas to have the responsibility of being the treasurer (he held the money bag) – Judas steals money out of the bag, Jesus washes Judas’ feet, he allows him to sit in the place of honor at the table, and he shares the bread in this way indicating honor to him – becoming a final gesture of supreme love.

Judas receives the foot washing, he receives the places of honor, and he took the food offered to him from Jesus, and at that moment, “Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him.” Why at that moment was Judas’ fate sealed? Judas receives the honor and the food – but not the love behind it. Instead of breaking his heart that Jesus’ love was shown to him again, and again – it did not soften his heart, Judas hardened his resolve. It was this final receiving from Jesus that Judas’ heart was opened to Satan and it sealed his fate.

Judas received everything Jesus gave Him, except His love.

 In the other gospels we have Jesus introducing the Lord’s Supper to the 11 disciples – for the church it is a way for them to remember what Jesus has done (His body being broken, and His blood being spilt) for them. The Last Supper connects the church together in mission – we, together, remember what Jesus has done, and how we are sent out to share this gospel with the world.

In John’s account we have Judas sharing the Last Supper with Jesus, where he took the break, but did not share in the mission. He wanted to get from Jesus, but never wanted to be apart of serving others, sacrificing for the sake of other, He did want to do as Jesus commanded. “The sacramental meal became for Judas the means of communion not with Christ but with the devil.”[5]

Jesus gives Judas a choice, “the betrayer knows he is about to be exposed, and is confronted with the starkest choice: rush forward immediately to execute his wretched plot, or renounce his evil and beg forgiveness.”[6] Jesus gives Judas one last chance to turn back, he is willing to forgive everything.

By extending this piece of bread, as an act of honoring him, it was the final appeal of Jesus toward Judas — One more chance to restore the relationship, but Judas did not respond. He gave himself more fully to Satan’s leading[7], so much so that Satan entered into him, or possessed him. Judas’ life goals were directly in line with Satan’s that it is as if they are the same. In John 17 Jesus refers to Judas as “the son of destruction,” or “the son of perdition.” The betrayal is that he actively sought to destroy the kingdom Jesus was seeking to build.

Judas’ heart is now completely hardened, and completely aligned with Satan’s will. The liar, hides the consequences of the betrayal. Once Judas sees Jesus being carried off, he changes his mind – but at that point its’ too late. Judas has made the choice in his heart, Jesus knows this, so he says loud enough for all the disciples to hear, (v. 27) “What you are going to do, do quickly.” If you have made up your mind to do this, “then get on with it.”

Betrayal Ends In Darkness (vv. 28-30)

28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 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. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.”

 (v. 30) “So, after receiving the morsel of bread” – There are two symbolic acts that Jesus does that powerfully show us how Jesus wants us to live out the mission of sharing the gospel. The first is the washing of the disciple’s feet. As they are arguing amongst themselves about who is the greatest amongst them, Jesus took off his out garment, wrapped himself with a towel and washed their feet – like a servant. In our taking the gospel out we are to serve.

The second symbolic act can be missed, if we are not paying attention – it is when Jesus takes a piece of bread, dips it in a common bowl and then hands it to Judas. Again, this was an act of honor toward the person. “Here is something good, as my friend, I want you to have it.” Judas, knowing he was going to betray him, takes it and eats it anyway (totally disrespectful). Jesus gives Judas opportunity after opportunity to turn back.

Jesus tells Judas to do what he has planned quickly, and he leaves the meal alone. John tells us what the other 11 were thinking. Some thought he was going to buy supplies, some though he was going to give an offering at the temple for the poor.

Judas leaves with the 11 not knowing he was the one who was going to betray Jesus. Why doesn’t Jesus call out Judas by name? Why not use this as an opportunity to unquestionably expose him? As long as the betrayer stays anonymous, he could always repent and rejoin the group. No one knew, except Jesus.

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[1] James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary, The Gospel of John, Volume 4 (Grand Rapids, Michigan; Baker Books, 2001) 1020.

[2] Archibald Thomas Robertson, Word Pictures In the New Testament, Volume V (Nashville, Tennessee; Broadman Press, 1932) 242.

[3] (v. 23) John as the author refers to himself as “One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved,” and in other places as “the beloved disciple.” John is not saying, “the one who was loved more than the others,” instead he is emphasizing more along the idea of, “What a wonder – that I should be loved by the Incarnate Word!”

[4] Grant R. Osborne, Osborne New Testament Commentaries, John Verse by Verse (Bellingham Washington; Lexham Press, 2018) 325.

[5] G.H.C. Macgregor, The Moffatt New Testament Commentary, The Gospel of John (New York, New York; Harper and Brothers Publishers) 281.

[6] D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament Commentary, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, Michigan; William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1991) 472.

[7] Leon Morris, The New International Commentary On The New Testament, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1981) 627.