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John 13 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
John would have known the story well. He (the disciple whom Jesus loved) was reclining against Jesus when it all unfolded, so this firsthand account is most likely as accurate a picture as we will get of that final betrayal scene. Jesus washed Judas’ feet, but He also revealed his sin. This was out of love, not shame. Jesus was giving Judas the opportunity to come clean and repent!
Dipping the bread was a special ceremonial honor. It is similar to what we know as “a toast.” Just think about that! Would you toast to your enemy right before they planned to kill you? This gesture by Jesus marked the extreme nature of His love. Judas had hatred in his heart, and Jesus sincerely loved him. He honored him with a toast, handed the bread over to Judas right in front of John’s eyes.
Jesus replied, “He’s the one I give the piece of bread to after I have dipped it.” When He had dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son. 27 After Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Therefore Jesus told him, “What you’re doing, do quickly.”
John 13:26-27 HCSB
Some people feel bad for Judas thinking he had no choice in the matter. This is simply not true. Jesus extended His love. By saying nothing and eating that bread, what Judas believed in his mind was now set in his heart. By not confessing his sin, Judas gave the enemy a foothold in his life. His actions sealed his own fate. This is a sobering reminder for anyone who is continuing to live a secret life of sin after experiencing the love of Jesus. Judas would betray the Son of God even after receiving the honor of Jesus’ deepest love.
Jesus not only extended love to Judas, He actually protected him. There is no way the disciples knew at this point what was taking place. They may have thought Judas was just running an errand for Jesus or setting up a counter to the one who would betray Him. We can believe this to be true because if the disciples knew they certainly would have turned on Judas. Just think about what Peter did to Malchus when they come to arrest Jesus!
Jesus loved Judas. He prayed for him. He extended him the same love as everyone else. He even protected him in his darkest hour. This is what is so shocking about those who turn away from Jesus. Judas had a front-row seat for all of Jesus’ divine glory and still decided in his heart that he would not trust Him.
There are some today who are surrounded by Jesus and actively receiving His love, but as time will reveal, they are only posers in the end. They have never surrendered their life to Him and repented of their sin. Just as Jesus gave Judas every opportunity, He will do the same for us. He will never stop loving us even in our darkest sin. But, He also expects us to turn and follow with everything.