Betrayal

When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks." So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night.

John 13:21-30

There is nothing worse than betrayal. And, yet the Son of Man, at the moment of his greatest trial had to endure the betrayal of one with whom he had lived with intimately for three years. Judas was counted as one of his chosen twelve. At the Last Supper we see Satan taking charge of Judas after he had just eaten the bread and shared the wine representing the body and blood of Jesus. In the same way today, there are those who partake of communion who will betray our Lord. Jesus knew what Judas was going to do. Yet, he washed his feet with the others. We don't know whom will betray Christ; but, the apostle Paul warned the elders at Ephesus that the attack upon the household of faith would come from wolves within the fellowship. It is not for us to judge; but, we are to discern. Judas' interest in the "money box" suggests that he had another master. And, the image of his going out at night suggest spiritual darkness. Sometimes those who are deceived have no ability to discern themselves in the midst of the struggle.