John 13: 18 – 30 Jesus predicts his betrayal

John 13: 18 – 30 Jesus predicts his betrayal

‘I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfil this passage of scripture: “He who shared my bread has turned against me.”

I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe Iam who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.’

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.’

His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, ‘Ask him which one he means.’

Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’

Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

So Jesus told him, ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

*      *       *

This is the start of Jesus’ suffering.

Betrayal hurts. It turns your world upside down. Everything you had previously felt about someone becomes doubtful. If the betrayer does that now, when did he start to feel that way? If the betrayer can do that, what about these others I have trusted? Jesus was fully human. Despite his closeness to the Father, he must have felt these emotions.

As St John puts it, Jesus was troubled in spirit.

Nevertheless, Jesus knows what is to happen and what must be done. He tells his disciples what is to happen. He indicates the identity of his betrayer to two of them, by dipping a piece of bread in the food and giving it to Judas. He tells him to do what he must. God’s plan is coming to its climax.

And, as for Judas Iscariot, as soon as he had taken the bread, he went out.

And it was night.

Prayer

Heavenly Father

Thank you for sending Jesus to carry out your plan for us. Thank you for his obedience. Please help me to follow Jesus obediently.

In his name I pray, Amen