Life Group 3/30/25

John 13:21-30

Have you ever watched a movie or read a book where someone was betrayed by someone who they thought was their friend?

- The Social Network (Mark Zuckerburg vs. Eduardo Saverin)

- The Lion King (Scar vs. Mufasa)

- Julius Caesar vs. Brutus (“You too, Brutus?”)

You may or may not have seen or heard of these examples, but maybe you have experienced this yourself. And if you haven’t, there is a very high chance that you may experience this in your own life. Dealing with betrayal can be very difficult to handle, and can cause us a lot of sadness and anger.

Jesus has felt this pain. Judas betraying Jesus is one of the most famous instances of betrayal. Judas Iscariot was a disciple chosen by Jesus. He served as the treasurer for the group. This is why in the verses we will read today, it says that when Judas left the table they thought he was going to pay for the food or give money to the poor.

Jesus loved Judas. But Judas loved money. He agreed to guide those who were going to arrest Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, about $400 in today’s money. Judas was lead astray by Satan and in the darkness of night left Jesus and the rest of the disciples at the table to do the task that would ultimately send Jesus to the cross.

Judas Iscariot had the best small-group experience anybody has ever had. Judas Iscariot had the best preacher anybody has ever had. Judas Iscariot had the most incredible moral example anybody ever had. He had the most incredible training anybody ever had.

Timothy Keller

Salvation is not a matter of what surrounds you, but it’s about what has changed in you. Judas never had saving faith in Jesus, even while following Him throughout His ministry, which lead to a betrayal that will be talked about for the rest of time.

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