Betrayed

Reverend Anthony R. Locke

April 3rd, 2011 www.FirstPresTucker.org
at the First Presbyterian Church of Tucker
John 13:21-30 English Standard Version
21 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, was reclining at table close to Jesus,
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.”
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.
1
30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

People who go through a divorce might feel the kind of betrayal that Jesus felt on this
night. Jesus knew what was fast approaching. The kiss, the slanderous mock trials, the beatings,
the scourging, more beatings and finally the crucifixion.
Jesus was the Lamb of God sent by the Father to suffer for His people. There wasn’t any
ambiguity how things would end, but the path of tears traveled through one of the greatest acts
of betrayal known within the history of humanity.
And it broke our Lord’s heart that Judas would be so duplicitous, deceitful and treacherous.
By the anointing Wisdom God’s Spirit, Jesus knew Judas already had his plan in place.
Judas had already gone to Jesus’ enemies and sold Jesus for the value of a common
servant. 30 pieces of silver. (Philippians 2:9) God has highly exalted Jesus and bestowed on
him the name that is above every name, and yet Judas spoke that glorious name to wicked men
that they might arrest, condemn and kill Him.
How does any person take the name Jesus on their lips for purposes other than worship?
How? Could a man curse the mother who gave Him birth? How can the creation curse the
Creator? Judas profanely whispered the name Jesus, that a great evil might befell our Lord.
Judas betrayed our Lord according to the eternal decree of the Father. The death of Jesus
was no accident. It was God’s plan to bruise His Son that we might become favored children.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned
with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death
for everyone.

1 The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
 God the Father planned for Jesus to die, for us.
Meaning: according to the eternal sovereign will of God, Judas was to be the betrayer. But
God did not force Judas to do this. It was his decision according to his own free will. Judas
holds the responsibility. He bears the guilt.
Jesus said in Matthew 26:24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that
man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not
been born.”
Judas can’t blame God the Father for his betrayal of Jesus.
Discussing God’s eternal sovereign will and human free will is always a mind bender.
Judas sinned directly against the Lord.
We sin against our brothers and sisters.
Yet our sins are more offensive to a Holy God than to our friends.
Psalm 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so
that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Our sins offend God. Our sin breaks the heart of God. Our sin betrays the gift of God in
Christ. We are given a new life, a new resurrection power to live righteously, and our sin
betrays this gift.
The betrayal of Judas greatly pained Jesus. 21 Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
I don’t think this is compassion. I think this is pity from Jesus to Judas.
A special curse would be placed on Judas for his betrayal.
Acts 1:24-25 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show
which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which
Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”
There is a level of eternal suffering that Judas himself knows in Hell. Not that it’s hotter or
darker, but there is a burden of regret that he alone carries.
No one guessed it was Judas. 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he
spoke.
Finally John, the author of the book of John, 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved,
was reclining at table close to Jesus, 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.
Jesus gives the wet bread to Judas and John just stares in shock and horror that some as
trusted as Judas would stab the Lord in the back.
Jesus told Peter that he would deny the Lord three times. Jesus tells John that Judas will
betray Him. I don’t think John thought it was that night, so they kept up appearances and
continued with their evening.
 27 Then after Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What
you are going to do, do quickly.”
Jesus needed to get Judas out of the room so He could institute the Lord’s Supper.
Judas left the room.
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.

The Lord’s Supper is not for outsiders

Matthew 26:26-29
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the
disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”
27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all
of you,
28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of
sins.
29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with
you in my Father’s kingdom.”

The Lord’s Supper is a communion in His death.

261 Corinthians 11:26
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

We proclaim the vicarious death,

the death that overcame,
the death that split hell wide open,
that shock the earth and
caused our curse to be lifted.