A study of John 13:18-30 reveals Jesus’ chosen disciples, the progression of a hardening heart, and the final rejection of Jesus.
A study of John 13:18-30 reveals Jesus’ chosen disciples.
I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ (ESV, John 13:18)
The disciples gathered with Jesus at the Passover meal looked like a rag tag bunch of unlikely leaders, but they were individually chosen by Jesus. Including Judas who betrayed him. The scripture Jesus quotes is Psalm 41:9 which reads: Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
This Psalm written by David conveys his emotional anquish of betrayal by a close, trusted friend. And it expresses the same painful rejection that Jesus feels in his betrayal by Judas. Chosen as one of his twelve inner disciples. Someone he trusted and poured his life into. But in the end, who personally handed him over to his enemies.
Judas knew Jesus at a level of closeness matched by only eleven other men. He lived and ministered with Jesus. Watched him perform amazing miracles, teach incredible sermons, live a sinless life, and still rejected him as the Son of God. Although by outward appearance, Judas was a loyal disciple. Only Jesus knew the truth. Because he saw directly into Judas’ heart where geniune belief in Jesus is formed. God’s direct gaze into a person’s heart is how he identifies true believers today as well.
A study of John 13:18-30 reveals the progression of a hardening heart.
Disciples grow in spiritual maturity as they strive to imitate Jesus and conform to his image. Likewise, unbelief and a hardened heart also advance over time. Although Judas’ betrayal is foretold, he still exercised a choice and is ultimately responsible for it. But let’s track his progression.
First there was unbelief. Despite the compelling evidence that Jesus was the Son of God, Judas did not believe in him as Jesus regularly called on people to do.
“However, there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him. (ESV, John 6:64)
As that unbelief took hold, sinful behavior followed. Outwardly, Judas appeared to be a faithful disciple. But the sinful thoughts in his heart began to express themselves.
But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was going to betray Him, asked,” “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” “Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.” (ESV, John 12:4-6)
The steady descent of sinful thoughts
Sin presents a constant spiritual battle for believers. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul tells us to take our thoughts captive and in Philippians 4:8 to direct our minds towards pure, lovely and admirable thoughts. But even then, we still sin. So 1 John 1:9 says to regularly confess our sins and God will faithfully forgive and cleanse us from them. But for unbelievers, sinful thoughts collect and sink lower into moral corruption. As Judas allowed Satan’s influence to grow stronger his thoughts formed a conspiracy.
“The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.” (ESV, John 13:2)
Judas begins to actively plan the betrayal. He hasn’t fully committed to an action and can still turn back, but he’s on a precipice leaning forward.
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?’” So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus. (ESV, Matthew 26:14-16)
Finally, Judas gives Satan complete control of his heart, makes his final decision, and moves forward to carry it out.
Then He dipped the morsel and gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. And when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. (ESV, John 13:26-27)
Belief and unbelief are both a choice everyone makes and we are individually responsible for our decision. The one that determines eternal outcomes.
A study of John 13:18-30 reveals the final rejection of Jesus.
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” (ESV, John 13:21)
Troubled in spirit, Jesus suddenly blurts out to his disciples that one of them will betray him. It causes an immediate reaction among them as they wonder who it is. Was Jesus signalling to Judas he knew it was him? Maybe as a final chance for Judas to confess and repent? Certainly, Jesus was carrying a heavy weight of emotional stress. In spite of it, Jesus feeds Judas a morsal of food. A final, loving gesture toward Judas who accepts the food, but returns no loving response.
It reminds us that God’s love is an ongoing offer along with the opportunity for repentance. But in V.27, Judas’ own internal conflict comes to a close.
Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him.
Satan moves beyond influence to complete control of Judas. And recognizing that Judas is completely lost, Jesus tells him to act quickly. So Judas leaves and John adds the words:
And it was night.
They appear to represent both a physical reality and a symbolic meaning. Judas went out at night time but also into spiritual darkness to betray Jesus. A similar idea is presented in chapter three when Nicodemus visited Jesus at night with questions that revealed his spiritual darkness. It tells us that when people give themselves over to evil, their hearts are darkened with sin. But God reveals himself to those who genuinely seek him.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is a Christian author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
A Family Friendly Funny Book
Family Stew is a warm, laugh-out-loud collection of stories on life in a middle-class, suburban Christian family. With a storyteller’s heart and a comedian’s timing, Tudor captures the messiness, chaos, and joy experienced when faith, parenting, and daily routines collide.
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