John 13:21-30
21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23 One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24 Simon Peter, therefore, motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ 26 Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’[a] So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.[b] 27 After he received the piece of bread,[c] Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, Scholar, 899
Cedd, Abbot of Lastingham, Bishop of the East Saxons, 664
The movement of the text from the washing of the feet yesterday to the betrayal of Jesus is fascinating. It is a movement from paying heed to serving to the betrayal of Jesus. How would such a thing happen to someone who had just witnessed the highest level of humility and servanthood? This explains why Jesus was distressed in spirit. This was the fourth mention within the meal setting of Judas’s betrayal [verses 2:11, 18]. This demonstrates how this was a serious concern for Jesus. Their response to Judas’s betrayal was to insist that it was no surprise to Jesus or an indication of his ignorance: he knew about it before it happened. Indeed, they were sure that the betrayal had been foreshadowed in prophecy. Satan entered the heart of someone who was sitting at the table with Jesus and the one who had traveled with him for three years. Going to church every day does not stop the devil from tempting you. Receiving Holy Communion and meditating on scripture does not stop the devil from tempting you. So, what do we do? We should always pray without ceasing and be on guard against the machinations of evil. The devil is after those who are called children of God. Be watchful. Amen.
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