Lessons from the Upper Room: Betrayal & Denial

The Shadow of Betrayal: Lessons from John 13

Bible Passage: John 13:18–38

Summary: In this passage, Jesus reveals the reality of betrayal, illustrating that even among His closest followers, loyalty can falter. He predicts Judas' act of betrayal and Peter's denial, highlighting profound lessons on trust, human frailty, and divine grace.

Application: This sermon aims to help Christians recognize the complexities of loyalty and the human tendency to deny our faith under pressure. By reflecting on these truths, believers can find strength in Christ, who understands our weaknesses and calls us to reconciliation and service, even in the face of betrayal.

Teaching: Through this passage, the sermon communicates the painful reality of betrayal and denial in our spiritual lives while emphasizing the need for authenticity and reliance on Christ in overcoming these challenges. It teaches that though we may falter, Christ's love and restoration are always available to us.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise, demonstrating His knowledge of humanity's failings and His willingness to bear the weight of betrayal on our behalf. Christ's impending sacrifice on the cross provides a backdrop for understanding forgiveness and the power of redemption.

Big Idea: Even amidst betrayal and denial, Jesus remains faithful, inviting us to embrace His grace and authentically live out our faith despite our shortcomings.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon using your Logos library, consider delving into the cultural context of betrayal in first-century Judaism, particularly the significance of Jesus washing Judas' feet. Analyze commentaries that discuss the theological implications of Peter's denial and the literary structure of this passage to enrich your understanding.

John 13:18–38 NIV

“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill 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 that I am 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. When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

1. Betrayal Revealed: Trust Tested

John 13:18–26 NIV

“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill 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 that I am 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.

“I am not referring to all of you” is the bridge from the servanthood portion to this

Jesus has already stated that one will betray Him, He knows that it is Judas, but He does not identify him immediately.

Psalm 41:9 NIV

Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.

The harsh reality is that at times we all have been Judas

We make promises to Christ all of the time and we let him down.

As followers of Him we are to be an example of Him yet we fail

Everyone outside the church likes to call us Hypocrites, well guess what, they arent wrong.

They are wrong in their perception

We are not perfect, we are striving to be more like Christ but it is a constant maturing process

Judas still had a seat at the table, up to this moment, the moment that Christ exposed Him.

Jesus knows our every thought and action, yet He has a place for us.

Jesus was “troubled in his spirit” as he dealt with this situation. This calls us back to remember the personhoom of Christ. The enormity of the moment and the heartbreak of being betrayed by a friend.

Jesus feels this when we let Him down today. But He does not give up on us

When we are inclined to betray Him, let’s remember His grace above all.

2. Betrayal's Decision: Choosing Paths

John 13:27–30 NIV

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.

Judas had a choice, he made his, what is yours?

We know what when we are apart from Christ we are a part of the enemy.

Judas was around Jesus every day and Satan got his hands on him.

We must choose Christ daily, accepting Him, commiting to Him. It is a lifelong commitment.

Audrey showed us all her commitment today. Now we know, once we accept Christ, nothing can take us from His hand, but Satan will still try to impact her.

She needs her family

She needs her church

3. Denial Foretold: Faith Renewed

John 13:31–38 NIV

When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Jesus is setting the stage for His death

Uses the loving designation of My children, for His disciples

He gives a new command, which is Love, interesting that this commans comes amidst Betrayal and the coming announcement of Denial.

Love shows others that we belong to Christ

Do others see Christ in the way you love?

Peter again being Peter, we all like Peter

Sometimes we like to talk a big game, but in reality we are weak

A lot of us go into things with huge ideas, the best intentions, but our own weakness keeps us from accomplishing the goals that the Lord has for us.

Even in our denial, His love prevails

He offers us to be reconciled to him (we will see that for Peter later on)

Jesus always calls us back when we fail, we must work to fail less