Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
John 13:26-27
We come now to John 13, the scene of Jesus and the disciples reclining around the table eating the Passover feast; it is a familiar one. Jesus, the leader of the group, gets up from the table and washes the disciples’ feet, an incredible act of love, and commands them to do likewise. All of this because he knew Father had given everything into his hands (Jn 13:3). On the eve of his suffering, Jesus takes a moment to bless his disciples. At the end of the supper, the tender moment feels violently interrupted, when Jesus says that one of them sitting at the table would betray him.
The betrayer has been seduced by worldly gain and the tempter has slithered his way to a place at the table. But where the enemy is subtle, Jesus is direct. He tells those at the table there is one at the table who will betray him. The shock would be nearly concussive in that upper room. You can feel the weight of such an accusation among such a tight-knit group. Even when Christ offers the cup to Judas, the others seem to be in denial. They try to conjure up some sort of explanation for what Jesus was inferring. Because of previous passages, the reader knows full well the foreboding implications of what Jesus did by offering the cup directly to Judas.
This is the cup of the new covenant, the shedding of Messiah’s own blood for the remission of sins. This is a cup of immense blessing as well as judgment. For Judas to dip in the cup of blessing and the moneybag of treachery is exactly what invites the indictment from the mouth of Jesus that it would be better had he not been born. And as he brings the cup of blessing to his lips, Satan enters the heart of the betrayer to do this loathsome act, and so the enemy had come right into the midst of them. It is a painful moment to behold. The dreadful alarm of the enemy being at the table does not phase the Master. He looks him in the eye and effectively says, “take your best shot.” Judas, filled with this devilish spirit, leaves the group of faithful men to go seal up his treason against his anointed King, never to be counted among that company again.
Departing to the garden, Jesus leads his disciples into the garden where they will await the next move. Jesus in this solitude devotes his entire being to prayer, while the disciples find false security by slumbering nearby. The agony of the cross, now looming large, is at the forefront of Jesus’ mind. Resolute, yet submissive, Christ, having given the cup of blessing to his people, now must drain the cup of God’s wrath. This cup must be drained so that our cup, the chalice of blessing, may overflow.
The darkness of night reaching its fevered pitch, He now enters the mouth of the valley of the shadow of death. But, just as the psalmist said, Jesus feared no evil. The mission for which he was sent was about to meet its climax. Comely and humble, a Paschal lamb preparing to be slaughtered, this man is no mere man. Upon the kiss of betrayal, he is asked if he is indeed Jesus of Nazareth. “I AM HE.” At this reply, those present stumble back and fall to the ground. This is Jehovah Sabaoth, the prince who commands a hundred thousand angels, here he steps forth and gives himself freely into the hands of wicked men who can naught but be taken aback that even in his submission, bears immeasurable authority. And in his coming hearing in front of the authorities, it is that very authority that is on trial.
So remember, the theme of this week is far grander than just a sequence of historical events. It is the Divine drama playing out on this earthly stage. These events are a feast laid before us as our enemy looks on in disbelief. The shadow of death cast over the table brings no fear to the sheep because the goodness and mercy of God shall follow us all the days of our life. And tomorrow, we shall see what it means to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Psalm 23
