LOVES OVER BETRAYAL

John 13:18-38

Let me state today, here and now, that satan is real. He is not a mythological creature Christians make up to scare their children into doing good or following God. Scripture, God’s Word speaks of him is the Old Testament, the New Testament and in the prophecy in the book of Revelation.

And satan is lazy, he does not like to get his hands dirty so he convinces us to do his dirty work for him. And he is still at it today. He can’t make us do anything, just convince us that is what we want to do.

It is startling to think that Satan can actually come into the heart of a man in such close touch with Jesus as Judas was. And more--he is cunningly trying to do it still today. Yet he can get in only through a door opened from the inside. "Every man controls the door of his own life." Satan can't get in without our help.

Let us pray!

John 13:18–38

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

Jesus knew precisely what to expect from his friends. Of the original Twelve He chose, all would turn away in his time of greatest crisis. One would betray him for money and one would deny him publicly. Jesus was in control of the events. He knew what was going to happen, he could have stopped it at any time, and at the time of a double betrayal He exchanges betrayal for Love.

I. LOVE EXCHANGED

A. THE PREDICTION—vv. 18–19

i. Person—v. 18. One eating the Last Supper with Christ would betray Him. Christ, who knows all things, knew this. Psalm 41:9: “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”

ii. Purpose—v. 19. He told the disciples this so that when it had happened they would believe in Him. No one knew who it would be. Christ alone knew. He knows the heart of man— God tells us this in 1 Samuel 16:7 ~ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

B. THE PLAN—v. 20

Notice how the Trinity is THREE yet ONE. If we welcome one of these, we welcome them all.

i. The Father—God.

ii. The Forgiver—Jesus the Son.

iii. The Faith worker—The Holy Spirit.

Note how all these have a part in our salvation: GOD—planned our salvation. JESUS—paid for our salvation. THE HOLY SPIRIT—brings our salvation.

C. THE PERSON—vv. 21–30

i. The Christ—v. 21. Christ in anguish of spirit, said, “One of you will betray me.”

ii. The curiosity—vv. 22–25. No one knew who would betray Christ. Judas deceived all except Christ.

iii. The character—vv. 26–30. Judas was with Christ for three years. However, he permitted Satan to enter into his heart. Judas BY CHOICE FELL—Acts 1:25 ~ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs

God glories in what we often see as tragedy. Five times in verses 31–32 John recorded Jesus’ use of the words “glorify” and “glorified” as he directed the disciples’ thinking toward the cross. Jesus exchanged betrayal for Love; now Jesus extends love.

II. LOVE EXTENDED—vv. 31–33

i. Savior—v. 31. Soon it would be time for Christ to leave this earth. Death would soon come. He would be glorified. This would be pleasing to God. Christ would have God’s glory.

ii. Separation—v. 33. Christ would go to the Father. His followers would not go with Him immediately. Later they would join Him.

A. THE PROPHECY—vv. 34–38

i. Command—v. 34. Love others as Christ loves us. Many want Christ’s love, but do not love others.

ii. Confirmation—v. 35. Love for each other will prove that we are Christ’s disciples.

We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord; And we pray that all unity will one day be restored.

We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand; And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land.

We will work with each other; we will work side by side; And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride.

And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love.

iii. Confusion—vv. 36–38. Peter wanted to go with Christ immediately. Christ says he would have to wait. Peter said he would die for Christ, yet he denied Christ three times before the rooster crowed—John 18:15–18, 25–27.

Judas – betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver – 120 denarri – the perfume he made a fuss about 300 denarri or 90 pieces of silver

Peter – betrayed Jesus for self-preservation

Both were given opportunities to repent and turn

Love extended leads to discipleship

Love extended leads to self-denial

Love extended leads to death

They will know we are Christians by our love – not

The size of the church

The type of music

How often you attend

How much you tithe

But when you love like Jesus loves – your worship will show it, your attendance will show it, your tithe will show, your service to His people will show it.

So I close this week with where we started started last week –

The disciples lived in a society that had rebelled against God.

We, like them learned more quickly from modeling and demonstration than by being told what was right.

Jesus exemplified love,

Jesus explained love,

Jesus exhorted his disciples and us to follow his example.

Jesus exchanged love for betrayal.

Jesus extended love and patience.

How have you been like Judas – betraying Jesus for your own agenda?

How have you been like Peter – acting too spiritual and betraying Him for pride/selfish reasons?

Jesus was patient with the proud disciples and He is patient with us.

We must extend His love to others – no matter how they treat us – by our love they will know.

The song closes with

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come; And all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son. And all praise to the Spirit who makes us one.

Does the world know by your love that you are a Little Christ?

Let Us Pray.