The Day Jesus Loved Judas a Little Bit More, John 13:18-30

 

A week ago, His feet were washed with fragrant oil so costly it could’ve been sold for a year’s wages (John 12:3).

The next day multitudes hailed Him as Messiah and King (John 12:12-13).

Today, He just finished washing other people’s feet.

Wait. Doug, you must’ve meant, “other people just finished washing His feet,” right?

No. Jesus, Lord, Master, Savior, King, stooped down to wash filth off feet.

Furthermore, He willingly, knowingly, washed the feet of His betrayer. The one who’ll light the fuse to have Him murdered—the one who was supposed to be His friend. (John 13:1-16).

Today, as we walk into the Upper Room, where they’re in the midst of the Last Supper, we see Jesus Love Judas Just a Little Bit More, John 13:18-30

I do not speak concerning all of you. John 13:18a

When Jesus finished washing everybody’s feet, He said they’d be blessed by following His example. John 13:17.

Then, He qualifies His statement; “I do not speak concerning all of you.” This doesn’t apply to all of you.

The Kingdom of Heaven isn't an all-inclusive pizza party where everybody gets in and everybody gets a prize.

It's exclusive.

Matthew 7:13-14; Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

By invitation only.

John 6:44; “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…”

When we get to chapter seventeen, we see Jesus does “not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me…” John 17:9.

Then, He prays exclusively for us, “those who believe in Me through their word.” John 17:20.

He refers to Judas in that chapter saying, He lost none of His own, “except the son of perdition…” John 17:12.

The Good News is, everybody’s invited.

The bad news is, very few accept His invitation.

They all joyfully ate the bread when He multiplied the fish and loaves; everybody wants His blessing, everybody wants Heaven. John 6:9-11.

However, when He said, He is the Bread, and the Drink, they must eat to enter Heaven, the eerie verse number, John 6:66. says many turned back and walked with Him, no more.

No more.

Forever.

Today, if they could turn back the hands of time; they’d exchange every loaf of bread they ever had for one crumb from the Bread of Heaven.

I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’ John 13:18b

He knew you before He chose you, and He never makes a mistake–but we sure do. He knew that too.

He chose Judas. He knew from the start what Judas would choose to do.

Hundreds of years earlier, He prophesied through David that this would happen; and now He quotes that very Scripture, Psalm 41:9.

However, make no mistake, He did NOT force Judas to sin. He did not tempt Judas to sin.

Sin is NEVER God’s fault. Ever. Period.

James 1:13-14. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed.

2 Peter 3:9. It’s not God’s will for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

Judas had a choice.

Lots of them.

Of all the folks in the room that day, Jesus loved Judas a little bit more. Even more than the one who calls himself, “the one whom Jesus loves” (John).

Hold on Doug, what are you talking about? Jesus loves everybody.

True. But sometimes, He loves some folks a little bit more.

We’ve already seen Him loving Judas a little bit more.

He knows Judas has been stealing from them, and now, he’s conspired with those who want Him dead.

Yet, Jesus invited Judas to the dinner.

He washed his feet.

He alludes to the betrayal, but doesn’t expose the betrayer.

There’s more, much more, we’ll see in a moment.

¹⁹ Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.

That is the purpose of the Book. That you may believe.

John 20:30-31. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

²⁰ Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

Remember, just prior to the foot washing, the disciples were acting like little children, smearing their stinky, dirty feet all over the furniture; while they argued about who was the greatest.  Luke 22:24.

What Jesus says here reminds them of another time they were having the same argument.

“Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” Luke 9:48.

Don’t freak out over the foot washing. I’m not asking you to be doormats, or professional foot washers.

My mission hasn’t changed.  

Remember the little child.

There’s no need to argue over who’s the greatest. If I send You, that’s all the credentials you need.

Self-promotion is a contradiction to My mission.

Just go in My name alone. That way, those who receive you, receive Me (not your pizazz).

Colossians 1:27. Christ in you, the hope of glory.

21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.

Now Jesus quits dropping hints, and just drops the bomb. One of you will betray Me.

Even now, Jesus doesn’t throw Judas under the bus.

Unfortunately, Judas isn’t ashamed, or convicted, or repentant. He wears the religious robes well, like any good hypocrite will do.

The disciples don’t have a clue.

23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.

25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”

26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

Okay, this sounds weird unless we remember the triclinium.

Picture three large rectangle coffee tables placed in the shape of a U. Around the three sides of the outer perimeter are large pillow-like furnishings for reclining or sitting at the table.

Seating was arranged by the Host or Head of the meal, (Jesus). The closest seats were the most honored.

For John to lean back into Jesus' chest, means he must’ve been seated just to the right of Jesus.

And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas…

This is Jesus loving Judas a little more, than a little bit more; this depicts a double honor.

For Jesus to dip the bread and hand it directly to Judas, reveals that by designated seating, Judas was given the honored position just to the left of Jesus.

Furthermore, it was an honor to be handed bread from the Host.

Time and again, Jesus quietly, respectfully, extends an opportunity for repentance.

When washing the feet of Judas, did the water get mixed with a tear or two from Jesus?

How many times did Jesus make eye contact with Judas? Did His eyes well up with liquid love?

How many times did Judas avoid the stare, look down, look away? Reject the Olive branch?

One time too many. 

 

27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him.

JUDAS RECEIVED THE BREAD, BUT REJECTED THE BREAD OF HEAVEN.

AND SATAN ENTERED HIM.

Judas rejected Jesus like he’d done a thousand times before, but that last time was the last straw.

Judas was possessed by the devil.

Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

Judas is past the point of no return.

Jesus withdraws the olive branch.

Okay Judas, you’ve made up your mind—get on with it.

28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

Even now. Jesus did this discreetly enough to not expose Judas to an open shame, yet without a doubt, Judas knew that He knew.

Jesus could’ve stopped him, or thwarted his evil plan. But instead, He yielded to His Father’s will.

30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

JUDAS RECEIVED THE BREAD, BUT REJECTED THE BREAD OF HEAVEN.

AND HIS WORLD WENT BLACK.

A disciple sat at each side of Jesus. “One of them was John the divine, and the other was Judas the devil. One of them was the seer of the Apocalypse, the other was the son of perdition.” (Spurgeon).

So close, and yet so far.

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21-23.

 

Let’s pray.

Lord Jesus, thank You for sharing with us, this great display of love, even toward Your betrayer. Which isn’t only Judas, but us too.

Thank You for the olive branch. We accept, and repent, and like John, we lean in, on You.

We love You, forever.

Amen.

Prayer Requests:

Call or text: 612-554 2522

Email: pray4measap@aol.com

Watch online:

Facebook: The Day Jesus Loved Judas a Little Bit More, John 13:18-30

You Tube: The Day Jesus Loved Judas a Little Bit More, John 13:18-30

Will you help? 

If 50 people go to our You Tube channel, and click "Subscribe" and "Like" (thumbs up icon) we will be able to offer, You Tube Live.

Thank you.