Day 7: Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
Read John 13:18-30
“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this pas- sage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
Reflect
Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? In verse 21, Jesus expresses His feeling of being betrayed as, “troubled in spirit.” The word in Greek for troubled is “etarachthē”. This can be translated as troubled and also as causing inner perplexity (emotional agitation) from getting too stirred up inside (upset). Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray Him; but the time was at hand and He was grieved, stirred up inside, emotionally agitated, upset by the betrayal of a friend. Much like the emotions we feel when betrayed by someone. Maybe someone has betrayed you or hurt you in some way. You probably felt or still feel like Jesus did when He was betrayed by Judas. The difference is that Jesus was perfect, so knew how to process the pain, but not let it turn into bitterness. At times, when we are hurt, we don’t process it appropriately and hold on to the pain. If we continue to hold on to the resulting hurt or pain for too long, it will turn into bitter roots and bitter roots will grow bitter fruit. The person you are hurting most, if you hold on to the hurt, is yourself.
If we continue to hold on to the resulting hurt or pain for too long, it will turn into bitter roots and bitter roots will grow bitter fruit.
Respond
Would you like to begin to walk in freedom from these hurtful emotions? What would happen if today you chose to forgive as Jesus did and to release those feelings to God? Refusing to forgive someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. But if you choose to forgive, you can have the poison removed from inside of you. Jesus understands what you are going through. He is not condemning you, but He does want to help you.
Example: Ask Jesus, “Do I have any unforgiveness in my heart from being hurt or betrayed by a friend, acquaintance or family member?” If the answer is, “yes,” take time now and talk to Jesus about it. Ask Him to begin the healing process in your heart and mind, to remove the poison and help you to walk in the freedom of forgiveness. You may have to go back day after day to ask for help in forgiving, but it will be worth it. Jesus suffered like you do so He understands all things and is available 24-7.