Part 20b- John 13

Betrayal

Judas was a man chosen by Jesus to be part of the twelve men that He called disciples, he was a man who obviously showed promise, rising to the rank of treasurer, a role that gave him authority, respect and responsibility.

This raises questions around how Judas had aspired to the role, was he naturally good with money? Was he a manipulator working to hold some kind of power? Was he a control freak? Did he have a heart of compassion for the poor and therefore was naively entrusted with the money? Whatever the reason for Jesus choosing Judas will remain a mystery except for the fact that Judas was chosen to betray Jesus, or was he?, which again raises questions around who God chooses and who betrays Him. I do not believe that God chooses any of us to betray Him. God is in the business of saving to live not saving to fail.

The truth is God does not choose people to betray Him. We all have the potential to do that ourselves and we are all vulnerable when we lose focus of, or stray from Christ Himself.

We have here in John 13 the ultimate betrayal, that of a man’s life for approximately half a years wage equivalent (we can assume there was quite a bit of money at Judas disposal as 30 pieces of silver would have been equivalent to half a years wage, a lot of money for one man but divided between 12 that would equate to about two weeks wages, and he was entrusted with it on their behalf).

Betrayal is the act of being unfaithful and in our case, as Christians, that is being unfaithful to Christ and His indwelling life within us.

What John is recording here in this chapter is that Jesus had called Judas out, He had shown him up for who he was, a liar and a cheat. The reality is that Judas had already strayed in his heart and head, the act had already been committed, Jesus just says “Go and do and do quietly”. Jesus knew God’s plan and no longer needed to or wanted to procrastinate the unfolding plan of salvation. We read in John 13:31-35 words that should drive us to our knees in acknowledgement that this man Jesus is without any doubt God. What Jesus was saying in John 13:31 was “now my Father’s work and my work is complete, from now on you will need to support yourselves”. Jesus says follow my example of love to you and extend this among yourselves so all those around you will know you are my disciples.

In John 13:36-38 we read the well known exclamation of exuberance by Peter, who is not unlike many of us, who rush in where fools fear to tread”. Peter utters words that no man or woman can fulfil without the indwelling, ongoing work of the “Helper”, the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus in chapter 14.I have said many times before in different writings that salvation is worked out daily and the truth is that none of us can utter Peter’s words in John 13:37, “Lord why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake”, and ever hope to fulfil them without us living a life in and through the power of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus demonstrated in John 13:31 and through His life on earth, “laying down our life” involves us willing giving up all rights to our life and accepting that a life lived in God is first and foremost Spiritual which works out Salvation in and through our circumstances and therefore glorifies God and makes Him known.

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