John 13:18-30 - There is the heartbreak of betrayal
Introduction
A. Betrayer is not chosen (v.18).
1. I know whom I have chosen (v.18).
a) The betrayer is not chosen by Christ.
(1) He cannot be, for he has rejected Christ; therefore, Christ has to reject him (Matthew 10:32-33). Christ did draw Judas; He did move upon Judas' heart to quicken his mind.
(2) When a man is so drawn and quickened by God's Spirit, he must respond then and there. God says, "My Spirit shall not always strive with men" (Genesis 6:3). Most persons are aware of a tugging and a pull to decide for God sometime in their lives; but when the tug and the drawing power are rejected, it soon leaves and the person ceases to think too much about the matter.
The writer of Proverbs says "He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Proverbs 29:1, NKJV)
(3) When a person betrays Christ, does this mean that he never truly responded to the movement of God’s Spirit within his heart or his heart has grown cold? I’m not sure either.
The Lord does not want anyone to be lost "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NASB95)
b) The betrayer is as low as he can go: he eats with Christ, yet his heel is against Christ.
(1) It is important to note that Judas was not a true believer; he was a hypocrite.
(2) He had never believed in Jesus (John 6:64–71), he had not been bathed all over (John 13:10–11), and he had not been among the chosen ones whom the Father gave to the Son (John 13:18 and 17:12).
(3) How close a person can come to salvation and yet be lost forever! Judas was even the treasurer of the group (John 12:6) and was certainly held in high regard by his fellow disciples.
(4) Psalm 41:4-10: this is quoted by Jesus, however, David had in mind the treachery of his friend Ahithophel, who betrayed him, and then hanged himself (2 Sam. 16:20-17:3, 23).
(a) It is significant that both Judas and Ahithophel committed suicide by hanging themselves (2 Sam. 17:23; Matt. 27:3–10; Acts 1:18).
(b) However, Judas did not commit suicide in order to fulfill biblical prophecy, for that would make God the author of his sin. Judas was responsible for his own decisions, and those decisions fulfilled God’s Word.
(c) Judas was exposed to the same spiritual privileges as the other disciples, yet they did him no good. The same sun that melts the ice only hardens the clay. In spite of all that our Lord said about money, and all of His warning about covetousness, Judas continued to be a thief and steal from the treasury.
! II. There is the prediction of betrayal (v.19-20).
A. To Assure that Jesus is the Messiah (v.19).
1. I tell you before it comes to pass, that you may believe I am He (v.19).
a) Christ wanted His disciples to be strong in their belief in Him as the Messiah.
(1) Once the prophecy came to pass, they would know He was omniscient (that He knew all things). And only God knows all things. Therefore, they would know that He was exactly who He claimed to be.
(2) This is why He related it to the Word of God: when the disciples saw all of this fulfilled, it would make their faith stronger (see John 8:28).
(3) The fulfillment of prophecy is strong evidence for both the deity of Christ and the inspiration of the Bible.
Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. “And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." (John 8:28-29, NASB95)
He also said in Matthews Gospel "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished." (Matthew 5:18, NASB95)
Prophecy shows that God is who He says He is! "For I the Lord will speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it,” declares the Lord God.’ ” " (Ezekiel 12:25, NASB95)
B. To strengthen the dignity of the Lord's call (v.20a).
1. He who receives whomever I send receives Me (v.20a).
a) Christ wanted His disciples to be assured of the dignity of their call as servants of God.
(1) Judas had betrayed the call, and his betrayal had left a bad taste and reflected a poor image of the ministry.
(2) When leaders in the church blow it, it is a cause for unbelievers to mock God. However, when leaders do blow it, even if you don’t respect that leader, you must respect the office which the leader stands for.
Paul says "But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another." (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, NASB95)
Writing to Timothy he said "The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. " (1 Timothy 5:17, NASB95)
C. To give assurance of God's indwelling presence (v.20b).
1. He who receives Me receives Him who sent Me (v.20b).
(1) To receive Christ is to receive God and to receive Christ's indwelling presence is to have God's indwelling presence.
(2) If you believe in Jesus, you believe in the Father (John 12:44-48). There are those who would say they believe in the Father, the Holy Spirit, but not Jesus, and yet think they are saved.
(3) John 17:21; Matthew 25:40.
! III. There is the last chance given to the betrayer (v.21-26).