The Greatest Betrayal/Lords Supper

If you have your bibles this morning, or a copy of God’s word open it up to John 13. I have titled this message this morning The Greatest Betrayal… Before we dig into the message this morning pray with me…

Just by a quick show of hands has anyone in here ever been betrayed? Put them down, now have you ever betrayed someone show of hands? That was a little harder to admit for many. If you raised your hand either time. The reality is in a fallen world betrayal is something we see on a regular basis.

If you are much of a reader, or partake in the watching of television, or movies, betrayal is often a focus in many of the forms of entertainment we partake in. It adds some drama to the story, and usually makes the hero come out even greater than we would have seen him or her before, because they overcame this great challenge they did not have before.

I can’t count how many times I watched a Disney movie that had some sort of betrayal. And I am sorry if I ruin some of these movies for you, but looking around I am sure most of you already know many of them. In the movie Frozen Hans professes this love for Anna so he could become King of Arendelle, only to to betray her and almost have her killed. The saddest betrayal in my childhood was when Scar in the Lion king came up with this elaborate plan to kill King Mufasa and his Son and he did so by luring Mufasa’s son and caused a stampede causing young Simba to be amongst this horrible stampede where his Father came to rescue him, and ended up saving his son, but when he was trying to save himself Scar Mufasa’s brother rather than saving them threw him to his death, and betrayed him.

One more example outside of scripture.. In C.S. Lewis book/movie The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. One of the children Edmund enters into this magical world known as Narnia, and immediately he is approached by this evil white witch who want’s to gather this information about his siblings and a key character in the book. Mr. Tumnus. Even though he was told by others this women is no good he betrays those closest to them, and it almost costs him his life.

So we have betrayal in our own lives, in entertainment, and in scripture. Today we get to the betrayal of Jesus. Who did not deserve to be betrayed. I been thinking about this all week, its hard to us to not think of Judas as the one who betrayed Jesus, because like a mentioned a few weeks ago ever time we see his name in scripture it accompanies the language the one whom betrayed Jesus, but for the moment, I want you to really think about the context in which they are in. The disciples had been walking with Jesus for three years, learning from him, seeing him do this incredible signs, and miracles together. So from their perspective a betrayal amongst one of them would seem to be something that would not immediately cross their mind. Though Jesus himself knew this and orchestrated it from eternity past, and before I go any further today, the main thing, the main point I want you to get this morning is this… and you cannot miss this today…

The greatest betrayal brings about the greatest promise.x2

So last week when Trent was preaching you began to see evidence of this betrayal taking place. In verse 2 of chapter 13. We see the words of scripture say,

John 13:2 ESV

2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him,

So at the last supper prior to the foot washing we see Satan is already in the heart of Judas. One of Jesus 12 disciples was going to betray him.

But if you have been following along with us during the gospel of John or have read it for yourselves. This isn’t a surprise to us. Because John writing this gospel to us is writing this after all of this has taking place.

Back in John 6:66-71 Jesus himself speaks directly to his twelves disciples, and it reads as this..

John 6:66–71 ESV

66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

If you want more in depth study about this go back and listen online, but in this text it says.. Look I choose all of you, yet one of you is the devil, and we see this idea planted and that is Judas was going to betray Jesus, all the way back in chapter 6. One of the twelve who have walked with Jesus, is going to betray him.

and this morning I have few points outside of the main Idea that I want you to take note of, and the first is this…

Scripture predicts the betrayal of Jesus

John 13:18–21 ESV

18 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.”

If you think about what has happened so far in the gospel of John and the opposition that Jesus has faced if you didn’t know any better you would think that Jesus would somehow be caught by the Jewish or even Roman authority, but ultimately that is not what happens at first. If you have learned anything at all in this gospel its the idea that everything is on Jesus time, not the disciples, not the jewish leaders, not anyone else, but God’s timing, the hour had come when it was his time to die, and all things happen on his time, in his way.

And as we have seen over and over again, Jesus does things according the scriptures, remember the beginning of John describes Jesus as the word, and in Psalm 41. We see this betrayal from the eyes of David, and his friends who betrayed him but Jesus uses the text for himself, and the betrayal from Judas his disciple.

And Jesus is not quoting the whole Psalm rather one verse, Psalm 41:9 but verses 7-9 explain this kind of emotion that Jesus was most likely going through. and it says this ..

Psalm 41:7–9 ESV

7 All who hate me whisper together about me; they imagine the worst for me. 8 They say, “A deadly thing is poured out on him; he will not rise again from where he lies.” 9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.

I really like what one man said, “It is one thing to be hated by your enemy. However, to be betrayed by a friend is one of the darkest experiences that a human being can endure. That is what David was enduring; a friend had turned against him. David was a type of Christ, and so many of the things that took place in David’s life were later recapitulated in the life of Christ. There is relevance in David’s betrayal by a friend, and it is for that reason that Jesus quoted David’s words in the upper room.

Yet the situation facing Jesus is even darker than this. In the ancient Near East, to betray a friend was considered a heinous crime, but far more heinous was to betray a friend with whom one had shared bread at the table. It appears that Jesus and His disciples were sharing bread at the moment when He spoke these words. Even as He and Judas shared this intimate meal, Judas was planning his treachery.

Could you Imagine being in that room, in that moment, but Jesus before addressing them more, he makes this statement. I am saying this to you now before all this happens, so you will believe it. Jesus said things before they were done.. Jesus is never without witness.

Over and over again in this gospel John has pointed to the reality that Jesus did these things so that people would believe in him. Believe that the scriptures are fulfilled in him. And believe that this betrayal shows that he is who he said he is.

But notice one more thing he uses the powerful title. I AM. He is telling them that when all this happens you will believe I am God. And Jesus as we have seen, and will see is the great I am.

But even as he is the great I am you see the real humanity and emotion of Jesus knowing that he is about to face this death and betrayal from the one who is suppose to be his friend.

Second thing I want you take note of this morning is this…

Jesus prediction and sovereignty of the betrayal shows that he is God.

John 13:22–30 ESV

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.

Only God could have made this happen. And the disciples had no clue among one another who was the one to betray Jesus. This time is known in other gospels as the passover meal, and where Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper. But in the gospel of John he has a different focus. Drawing really himself out more than he typically does in this book at least so far. He calls himself the beloved disciples or the one Jesus loved. John was among the closest to Jesus on earth, and here in this text John is reclining at the table at Jesus side.

Many of you have probably seen the picture that Leonardo da Vinci titled the last supper, and its suppose to be made by the influence of the gospel of John and this betrayal that is happening in the text we are in today and while its a cool picture it does not quite reflect how they were actually sitting, they were reclining, and the picture shows them as sitting.

It was custom for Romans to do this even though it was was not common for Jews to do this thing until around the time of Christ. So what this most likely looked like was Jesus in the middle, and John laying close to Jesus on his side. The guests at these tables would have their left arms leaning against the table freeing up up their right to eat and drink. And many scholars do not think it was just one long table the eat at like the last supper picture looks like, but more like a u shape. So there would be like three separate tables or couches, and so what many think and I believe based on the information we have in the text is that John the disciple who wrote this gospel and Judas were at this main table. and then 5 were at the other two, and this makes sense and a lot of biblical scholars believe that as well. one scholar says this..

He said.. According to an ancient tradition, one showed greater honor to the person seated to one’s left because one’s left side was more vulnerable to assault, hence one showed greater trust.Sharing the same table or couch would have certainly been an honored position in any case , but if the beloved disciple held the position to Jesus’ right, the position to the left most likely went to the other person to whom Jesus could easily hand the food that was Judas (13:26). Now listen to this Luke 22:21 says this..

Luke 22:21 ESV

21 But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.

(Luke 22:21 also suggests that Judas and Jesus shared the same table, though Luke 22:23 says this..

Luke 22:23 ESV

23 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.

this suggests that Jesus’ companions did not take his words in 22:21 literally.) This underlines favorably the intimacy of the beloved disciple, while further underlining the treachery of Judas’s betrayal.

It was fascinating to study this… So given the close proximity Peter asks, and who else but Peter to do this right and he probably gives John a little shove. Hey ask Jesus who it is… And so John sitting where he is leans back, and he is like who is this Jesus… who is tell me..

and given the reaction of others it most likely only John heard it, but didn’t understand it in the present, but Jesus says… It is he whom I will give this morsel of bread when I dipped it.. and he gave it to Judas…

Him giving Judas this morsel of bread is in fact a gesture of Love. It was a great honor to get that first dip of bread by the host. It’s like when you go to Johnny Corino’s and the bread comes out and the oil, and you eat it, and your spouse or friend is like eat the first bite. you want that first bite take it, and Jesus gave it to Judas. Knowing that this man is going to betray me.. This great sign of friendship comes with a great betrayal. The man who was in the place of Honor did not honor the one who should be honored.

And what happens is John gives us a powerful picture in verse 27.. by saying this..

John 13:27 ESV

27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.”

do it quickly, and what I love about having God’s full word in front of me, is we know happened, but on the night, the devil thought he won, the devil was like I won this you are about to get sold out, your kingdom isn’t coming, I am going to win. I took one of the people closest to you for myself, and he got you, I got you, but he didn’t get Jesus, because Jesus predicted it, and he is sovereign over it. This great betrayal that Satan set in motion was only done, because God allowed it.

Notice despite the betrayal of Jesus. He is like what you are about to do, do it quickly. God is totally in control, and guest who didn’t realize it? His disciples, or Judas himself, it says no one knew, why he said this to him, John even says some thought because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, Buy what we need for the feast, or that he should give it to poor, and you might find it random those words came, but maybe they thought we needed something else for the passover meal, or during that time it was custom to give alms to the poor all the way up until midnight…

They had no clue it was Judas who would betray Jesus to the point of death, and that Jesus predicted, and carried out this very thing.. They were in the dark about it, and that’s exactly where Judas was going into.

Yet another recurring thing in this gospel is the idea of light and dark. Jesus represents this idea of light, because that is what he is, and satan the darkness, and what was about to happen would be the most unjust thing in all of mankind, yet God was going to make light out of it..

This is why I am so motived to preach through the scripture, because we see God’s plan unfold right before our very own eyes.

Third thing I want you to write down this morning is this…

God uses betrayal for our Good.

You might say pastor that does not make sense. How can God use something as hurtful as a betrayal for our God. well the simple answer is because he is God, but im not going to leave you with just that this morning.

Earlier I quoted a few different movies, and books at the beginning of the sermon. One was frozen and the sacrificial Love Elsa and Anna have for each other is what saved them.

Another was the Lion King, and in the Lion king Simba the Son grows up doesn’t he. He comes and rescues the kingdom that his dad promised him. The Son comes and rescues the kingdom for the evil Scar, and restores it to its former glory.

In the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Aslan who C.S. Lewis writes about really as a type of Christ offers himself up to the evil witch in order that Edmond the one who betrayed his family and friends could have life. And he offered himself up at night, and what they did to Aslan was they mocked at him, the bound him, the shaved him, and they ultimately killed him. In the movie the witch says something before she kills Aslan you are giving me your life and saving no-one so much for love, and before the witch stabs Aslan he looks at Lucy and knows that is not true. The witch and her minions thought they won, and this great battle takes place after Aslan is killed between the good and the evil and the good know Aslan is dead, and the good our out numbered there king has died, and its not looking good for them. So this battle takes place where the witch is wanting to do what the devil himself wants to do, and what we seenback in John 10:10

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

but something incredible happens this table in this book, and movie and that is this table Aslan is on breaks in two , ( kinda like the veil breaks in two when Jesus is crucified, and Aslan who gave himself up for someone else is alive, and he says, “That when a willing victim who has commited no treachery is killed the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards.

He says before that and I will just summarize it for you, if the witch knew the truth she would have known this would happen. And Aslan comes back and kills the evil witch, and says it is finished.

Wonderful story, and the second part of John 10:10 says..

John 10:10 ESV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Church family don’t miss today that Jesus Christ was prepared to be betrayed, why? well one of those reasons is because how much he loves you. we can’t over look that. As dark as that night was when Jesus was betrayed the light of the world overcame the darkness.

The greatest betrayal brings about the greatest promise, and the greatest promise is found in the words of John 3:16

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

And the promise comes to only who believe in him, Like Billy Graham loved to say whoever, and that is a true promise. like Aslan who died for the love of someone else, Jesus died for love of all those who would ever be saved. This week I was really moved when I remember the scene in the movie where Aslan looks at Lucy before he died knowing that almost two thousands years later Jesus was looking at me when he died for me, he knew on that day on the cross I would be saved, and who he would save, are you one of those today?

I want to remind you of something today.. Our sin is the greatest betrayal on a creator who made us in his image. And because each and every one of us betrayed him, and there is not one without exemption. Jesus went to the cross to purchase redemption for his children, not only did he die, but he rose again on the third day showing that he had dominion over sin and death, and you want to know how to be his child? Repent (turn away from your sin) and put their faith in Christ alone, its that simple. if you have never done that today and want you I pray you do that very thing today, and let someone know.

Let me tell you something you may be sitting here or listening online, and say you don’t know my life you don’t know what I have done to others, or myself, or better yet God, I have betrayed way to many people to be forgiven by them let alone God, but the good news for you today, is that is not true. God’s grace extends beyond your sin, all you have to do, is repent and believe and you can have the greatest promise personally for yourself.

But for those who are believers today I want to tell you it does not matter where you are at today whether you have been betrayed or betrayed someone the only true way to reconcile that is through Christ. (people do horrible things to one another, as the result of sin) what i am saying is going to be hard for some of us, and I have been on both ends of this, and seen the Lord work through that, and I can tell you some may never get over it, but giving it back to Jesus will free you from so much pain, and hurt you may have in your life. Our burdens are way to heavy for us, but Jesus yoke is light and if you have given him your life there is no need to carry them anymore, its exhausting and not worth it when you have a Lord and savior who can free you of that give it to him, he is a God who restores even through something as awful as betrayal. ( we all need Jesus, no matter where we are at today, and I am for one thankful that he works even through things like betrayal, One verse that always brings me peace is Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

His purpose will be fulfilled for your good, trust him even when someone betrays you.

Every week we have a time of response, respond how he leads you today we will respond by taking the Lord’s supper, but first respond in faith to Jesus if you are making that decision or respond like i said however he leads let us pray, and sing in response to the Lord today… Let us pray…

Today is a special day where we get to respond to the Lord together as a church taking the Lord’s supper.

The Lords supper is one of two ordinances the Local church has the other is Baptism.

Luke 22:19 “19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””

Its a reminder of the work of Christ on the cross, how his body and blood were shed for believers.

The Lords supper is an act of unity in the Body. Now before we take of this I want to be clear this is for believers only. So if there are any children or unbelievers who have not came to know the Lord yet this is not for them you, but can be a moment that we teach them about Christ.

Listen to the words of 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 “27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.”

You can also take the Lord’s supper in an unworthy manner if you are living with some sort of un-repented sin. Repent of that. The Lord takes this moment very seriously, and so should we, and that being said let us take a moment to pray in silence for ourselves and our own standing with God, and I will close with pray in a moment.

The bread and the wine symbolize the body and blood of Jesus and I want to pray for each one before we take it.

Pray for body.

1 Corinthians 11:24 “24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.””

Pray for the blood

1 Corinthians 11:25 “25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.””

1 Corinthians 11:26 “26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”