John 13:21-30
in the upper room, Jesus had humbled himself from his role as master, to that of a servant to wash his disciples’ feet. using his example, he commissioned them to serve one another in the same way. just as he was sent as gods agent, he is sending them as his agents.
“Truly, truly, I say to you,
he who receives whomever I send receives Me;
and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
John 13:20 NASB
After the encouraging teaching, things turn emotional and troubling.
No surprises. Jesus already knew he would be betrayed. Even though he knew who it would be. It still hurt. The betrayer is Someone who was treated as a close friend. Jesus became troubled, stirred, agitated. The same word was used to describe how Jesus felt emotionally at Lazarus death.
The disciple’s response… a deer in the headlight look.
It’s universally understood that the Beloved disciple Close to Jesus was John. Did he pick up on a hidden meaning or clue? Did the rest of the disciples hear correctly?
The impetuous Peter was curious. Was his loyalty showing up with the intent of seeking to intervene?
John asked for clarification.
Jesus gave his response in a vague but descriptive way. The morsel meant bread. Dipping the morsel was an act of courtesy, friendship and honor. John MacArthur suggests that the answer was purposely vague, in order to keep the peace.
Early in the events in the upper room:
During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him,
John 13:2 NASB
Compare that to the time at hand:
After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore, Jesus said to him, “What you do, do John 13:27 NASB
In verse 27, Satan entered into him. Temptation complete. Decisions final. Now it’s time to act quickly. Jesus asks his betrayer to act as fast as possible.
The Disciples are still clueless. All they could figure was that it had to do with finances, or something charitable. The betrayer was also a trusted friend to them. The betrayal was a surprise.
Judas Received the honor of the morsel, and left immediately. The fact of being night means more than just the time of day. It carried moral implications. Judas was going out to face an eternal night. Jesus, the light and life of men was about to be removed from the world.
No wonder Jesus was troubled.
Credit
Thanks to the recorded comments from J Vernon McGee. His ministry and daily bible study live on through Through the Bible Ministries (ttb.org)
When Scriptures in the show notes and episodes are quoted from the NASB. “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
!–
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.–>
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:26 — 25.1MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | Podchaser | RSS | More