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Jesus and Judas - John 13
Jesus and Judas - John 13
“He knew the one who was betraying Him…” (John 13:11)
He chose him. He taught and trained him. He allowed him into the ‘inner circle’. He knew that he ‘kept the money bag’ AND that he was stealing out of it. He knew that he would betray him to his enemies. YET:
He did not talk about him to the other disciples.
He did not rail against him.
He did not use His power to destroy him.
He did not even stop him.
If it was OUR friend, how would we have responded? There are some differences in HIS relationship with Judas (and all others) as He was the Son of God, yet He has called us to follow in HIS way of living.
It was NOT just His enemies, but also Judas that Jesus responded to:
21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25
Some aspects of discipleship really are difficult and require a complete ‘renewing of our mind’ and disposition! How would you have responded to Judas?
Hugh DeLong
