John 13:18-38
Q.1. In what way was the exposure of Judas an act of grace? How did Jesus treat His betrayer? – (Jn.13:18-30)
Had Jesus not told His disciples in advance that He would be betrayed, or had He failed to identify Judas (as unthinkable as it was to them – Jn.13:22), their awareness would have been even more clouded. That is why Jesus explained – From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He (Jn.13:19). In this way, He was gracious to them and us. Though the truth about Judas was hidden from them, it was not hidden from Christ. He gave Judas the chance to soften his hardened heart when He offered him the morsel (known as the ‘sop of love’). This too was an act of grace, which Judas refused to accept. It was recorded – After the morsel, Satan then entered into him (Jn.13:27). It is clear that Jesus loved Judas to the end, even though He knew exactly what he was about to do.
Q.2. How could Jesus accept His betrayal as a path to glory? How were His followers to carry on His mission? – (Jn.13:31-35)
It would have been better for Judas (‘the son of perdition’ i.e. forever ruined) to have never been born. However, his selling out of Jesus to His murderous opponents was part of Jesus’ pathway to glory, via the ignominy of the cross – 31 Therefore when he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32 if God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and will glorify Him immediately (Jn.13:31-32). Out of this crisis, Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment that should characterize theirs and our lives – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another (Jn.13:34). This command would be crucial, as their relationships would fray at the edges. Also, it reinforced Jesus’ commitment to His mission to a lost world when He declared – By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn.13:35). The way of Jesus was the exact opposite to that of the spirit of the world.
Q.3. What future was Jesus facing that Peter could not follow? Would Peter indeed lay down His life for Jesus? – (Jn.13:36-38)
Not only could Peter not die a vicarious death like Christ, God had a different plan for him Jn.21:18-19). It is arguable that it may be harder to live for Christ than to die for Him. Tradition has it that Peter did indeed die for his Saviour and demanded to be crucified up-side-down because he was not worthy to die like His Master. However, firstly he would deny that he belonged to Christ, just as Jesus foretold.