God Can Work Even Through Heartbreaking Betrayal

A Divine Betrayal

John 13:18 I speak not of you all. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He that eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’

Jesus had to prepare the disciples in some way for what was about to happen. Jesus wanted to establish that they would not mistakenly believe He was going to be surprised by what Judas did soon. That could be the loss of their faith. For example, if Judas arose all of a sudden and betrayed Jesus with no warning from Him, the disciples may have concluded Jesus was not all He claimed to be. He would have known that Judas was like this, and they would have thought He never would have chosen him.

John 2:25 And needed not that any should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

Jesus wanted the disciples to know, so that they would not think He’d been taken by surprise, or have doubts about Him as Messiah. God did not plan Judas’ wretchedness, but He planned Judas’ wretchedness into His plan. Someone had to bring about the death of Christ, and Judas was more than willing.

Learning from The Judas Betrayal

God can use anything in His plan.
It is a warning to everyone. A person can be very near to God, very near to Jesus Christ, and yet be lost and damned forever. It teaches us that there will always be hypocrites among the believers. Judas wasn’t deceived; he was a fake.

It is a fact: the devil is at work among the Lord’s people. Wherever God’s work is done, Satan will be there. He is always working to undermine God and His kingdom.

Jesus Declares the Betrayal

John 13:19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it is come to pass, you may believe that I am He.

He is in italics; because it’s not there in the original Greek text. But we know God’s name as He told it to Moses is, “I AM”. Jesus wants the disciples to know that HE is God.

Our Call to be Faithful Only Depends on Jesus

John 13:20 Verily, verily I say unto you, he that receives whomsoever I send, receives Me; and he that receives Me, receives Him that sent Me.

God is in control. So believers need not fall apart when Christ is crucified, Judas turns out to be a rotten hypocrite, and the whole world seems to be collapsing. God is still in control; be faithful. No matter what Satanic opposition we run into, no matter how frustrating the work becomes, that in no way should lower our love or commitment.

Jesus Reveals the Betrayal

This was another indication that God is in control and He knows everything. Jesus confirmed that He knows what is happening and also who is involved in it. Trust that.

John 13:26 Jesus answered, “He it is to whom I shall give a sop when I have dipped it.” And when He had dipped the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

John 13:27 And after the sop, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said unto him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

After Judas crossed the line, Jesus is done with him, and tells him to do quickly his deed. He wants to get rid of him, because he’s corrupting His hour with the disciples.

Often times people try to say that it was not fair, Judas really had no choice because he was chosen to be the betrayer.

“Satan could not have entered into him had he not granted him admission. Had he been willing to say “No” to the adversary, all of his Master’s intercessory power was available to him there and then to strengthen him. But when a disciple’s will turns traitor, when the spiritual aid of Christ is refused,
that person’s condition is desperate indeed”. F.F. Bruce

The Deed of Betrayal

John 13:30 Judas then, having received the sop, went immediately out and it was night.

Judas, a solitary figure, leaving the room, to enter into the eternity of hell. It is always night when a man goes out of the presence of Jesus Christ.

How does all of this with Judas apply to us today?

It says, “Be sure that you make the most of your opportunities. Make sure you’re not a hypocrite. Be warned, the greatest spiritual privileges a person can have does not guarantee anything.

Judas’ life is a testimony of what not to do; let’s pay attention! It’s also a lesson that God can use life’s betrayals in surprising ways in this world and in our own lives… for His purposes and glory. Move. Keep Walking.