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Sunday, November 9, 2008
*The tragedy of rejecting** **Jesus*
John 13:21-30
/21 //After He had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray Me.”/
John 13:21 NIV
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Today I speak to you about *the tragedy of rejecting Jesus*.
Our text tells us *part of the story of** Judas Iscariot* and how he *allowed himself to be taken captive* by the devil and then *turned on* the One who *loved him the most* and *betrayed **H**im to His executioners*.
But *within the story* of Judas is *another story*.
It’s the story *of the other eleven disciples* and *the**ir** vulnerability *to *reject* their Lord, to *turn away from Him* when the pressure became too great.
*As we observe the possibility* that the eleven could *give in to the temptation* to deny *Jesus His* *rightful place as Lord* of their lives, we must *assess* the *strength of **our** **/armor of protection/* from the attacks of our enemy.
*Are **we*, today, *positioned* to take our stand *alongside **of **Jesus* no matter the circumstance facing us?
From the *deceitfully clever schemes* of Satan to the *weakness of our human nature*, are we *garrisoned about* with adequate protection so that we will *walk in victory over temptation*?
This morning I hope to *identify those resources we have available* from God that will *keep us strong* as we *represent Jesus* *in a good manner* here in this community.
The *context of our **story* is very important.
I would, therefore, like us to *read the entire chapter* of John 13.
As we do, let’s *look for clues* as to *why Judas betrayed* our Lord and *why the **vulnerability* of the other eleven *points to the resources* that will make us strong and victorious.
Now, let’s have the women read the first 11 verses of John 13.
Again, be looking *for clues* as to *why Judas betrayed* our Lord and *why the vulnerability* of the other eleven *points to the resources* that will make us strong and victorious.
Please open your Bibles to John, chapter 13.
I would like for the ladies to read the first 11 verses, for the men to read verses 12-20, then all of us read verses 21-30 and then I will conclude by reading verses 31-38.
Shall we stand as we read.
This is the word of God.
*John 13:1-11 (NIV)* (women)
*John 13:12-20 (NIV)* (men)
*John 13:21-30 (NIV)* (everyone)
*John 13:31-38 (NIV)* (pastor)
So *ends the reading *of God’s word.
May *both this word* and *the hearers* of it *be blessed*.
You may be *seated*.
John, the writer of this Gospel, sets *the story of Christ’s betrayal* within the context of *God’s ever-pursuing love* for sinful men.
The story of Christ is a *passionate love story*, one that is filled with the *drama of** servanthood, sacrifice,** betrayal and denial*.
Yet, it is one of *triumph and victory*, of *hope and **love**, *of *resurrection and ascension*.
Notice the words at the end of *verse 1* in chapter 13: 1  . . .
Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love.
We *see our Lord’s love* as He *washed* His disciples’ feet.
We see His love as He *pursued His betrayer* one last time, *offering* him the *opportunity to repent*.
We see His love as He *laid a foundation of teaching* and *experience* that would *bring rich dividends* as those teachings and experiences would *return to their memory* after the resurrection.
Certainly *not to be overlooked* is the ultimate *demonstration* of the *full extent* of His love that He showed them when He *voluntarily gave His life *as a sacrifice for our sins.
John *opens chapter 13* with the *affirmation* that Jesus was *about to show them* the *full extent* of His love, *His complete* love.
Then, he *closes the chapter* with the *command* of Jesus to His disciples that they were to *love each other* with the *same love He had shown them*.
Now, to *watch someone* who *loved another* so *deeply*, so *completely*, have His *love spurned* and to be *handed over to vicious enemies* who didn’t just want to take Him *captive*, but were *so hateful* they had determined to *mock Him*, to *brutalize Him* and *kill Him* as the worst of all criminals.
It is *unimaginable* that someone who had *lived with* and *rubbed shoulders with* the supreme model of love would *reject that One* who could *pull him out of his slimy pit* and set him on a *rock of rejoicing*.
Incredible indeed.
So *within this setting* of this *cushion** or pillow** of divine love* is a story of *betrayal* that *reveals **our own suseptibility* to the *temptation **to** deny* our Lord.
John immediately let’s us know in chapter 13 *what is going to happen* on that significant evening.
*John 13:2 (NIV) *2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
Somewhere, somehow, *Judas allowed himself to be blinded* by the *deceitfulness of sin*.
Now, please keep this in mind.
*A**ll of us are born* into this world *blind*; spiritually *blind*, *dead in the sin* of our father Adam.
Only the work of the *Holy Spirit can open those blind eyes* so we can see the *glory* of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Surely, *Judas **saw something of the glory of God* while in the presence of Christ.
But, *instead of welcoming* the opening of his eyes, he *allowed Satan to deceive him* and return him to his *state of blindness*, most certainly to a *wors**e** case of blindness*.
It appears that his *hardness of heart* came through the *deceitfulness of riches*.
Likely you *recall*, back in chapter 12, at the *banquet in Bethany* that was held *in honor of Jesus* for having raised *Lazarus* from the dead, *Mary expressed her love* and *appreciation* by taking her *most prized* and *valuable possession* and *gave it up* as an offering of thanksgiving.
Judas Iscariot *observed this action* and his *response* gives us an *insightful view* into his character.
*John 12:3-6 (NIV)*
3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair.
And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor?
It was worth a year’s wages.”
6 He 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 help himself to what was put into it.
I personally cannot tell you *when Judas became a thief* or *when the devil* took control of him.
One could say *he was always a thief* simply because he was *born a sinner*.
But, *what is the point* of the devil *prompting Judas to betray* Jesus if he was *already a traitor from birth*?
The *natural reading of Scripture* repeatedly *declares* that I am *responsible for my sin*, even for the *sin I inherited* from Adam, and that *I must repent of it*.
The Scriptures repeatedly *place before me resources* that are *given by God* that give me the *ability to respond* to the free gift of salvation.
Thus, I have *no excuse for not repenting* and *not receiving new life* in Christ.
The Scriptures tell me that *I will suffer the consequences* for refusing these gifts.
Luke records . . .
*Luke 22:1-6 (NIV) *1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.
3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.
4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.
5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money.
6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.
Depending on how you *view the chronology* of the story of Jesus, it is very possible that *Satan entered Judas more than once*.
Satan is *not like the Holy Spirit* in nature.
Satan is *not able* to be in *more than one place* at a time.
So, it is possible for Satan to *enter a person more than once* and not reside in him forever.
Furthermore, knowingly or unknowingly, Judas had *put out the welcome mat for Satan* by his hardened heart to the *gracious overtures of love* by Jesus.
In the *interaction* that *Jesus* had *with Peter* just before He *washed his feet*, *implied* is that Jesus was *giving Peter the opportunity to refuse* to have his feet washed.
Jesus *responded to Peter’s refusal* by saying, 8 . . .
“Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”
In that same dialog, Jesus makes it clear that *Judas had refused to be spiritually washed* by Jesus. 10 Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean.
And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said not every one was clean.
*After Jesus washed* the disciples’ feet, He *exhorted them* and then *spoke more about Judas*.
Jesus *knew* that they *wouldn’t understand* what is going on at the moment, but wanted them to *have this in their memory banks* so when they *review all that had happened* they would see how it *all fulfilled the Scriptures*.
18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen.
But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. 20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts Me; and whoever accepts Me accepts the One who sent Me.”
Judas *willingly welcomes Satan* to make him *his slave *and to be *the betrayer* of the Savior of the world.
What a *sad story*.
What a *tragedy for Judas* and all the others who are *in the grip* *of the devil*.
Now, *within th**is** story* of Judas is *another story*.
It’s the story of *the vulnerability of the other eleven disciples* to *reject* their Lord, to *turn away from Him* when the pressure became too great.
*Think of yourself* as *one of the eleven*.
You are *reclining* at the table *with Jesus*.
As He *begins to speak*; you can see *His countenance change*, much *like you observed* when He was told that *Lazarus* was *already dead*.
21 After He had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray Me.”
Jesus had already been *saying as much*.
But now He *speaks even more plainly*.
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