“So Close, Yet…”JOHN 13:18-30

18 Feb, 2001: Vienna VA- Foxstone Pk• Robert Hansen• 25 yr FBI veteran officer• Liaison to State Dept Office of Foreign Missions•Devout Catholic, 0630 daily Mass attendee for over a decade•Quiet family man hard working agent• Traitor

18 I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

21 When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” 22 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23 There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 So Simon Peter *gestured to him, and *said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is

speaking.” 25 He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, *said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus then *answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He *took and *gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore Jesus *said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

28 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29 For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.

I. The Betrayer was Prophesied•Vv 18-19, 2 things going on simultaneously• Eastern hospitality, meals were close fellowship• “Lifting heel…”•One moment fellowship, next betrayal• Jesus is not surprised,use an OT verse for prophesy

I. The Betrayer was Prophesied• The Scripture Jesus quoted was Psalm 41:9

“Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”

Psalm 49:1, NASB

I. The Betrayer was Prophesied• The Scripture Jesus quoted was Psalm 41:9•David was probably refer- ring to his counselor Ahithophel, grandfather of Bathsheba, joined Absalom’srebellion• Both hung themselves•Notice this picture

II. Assuring Authority of Commission•Vv 20-21, Jesus was assuring them that this was not the end of some sad and crazy leader•He was reminding them that His authority came from the Father in Heaven and theirs would come from Him•Us too-- That ought to give us great boldness in our hearts

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.”

2 Corinthians 5:20, NASB

III. Jesus was Troubled• Why was Jesus troubled in spirit? Was He

scared of Judas’ betrayal? • Was He scared of what was going to happen to

Him? Was He scared for His life?• Because He could see Satan influencing Judas• Because He had a knowledge of the betrayer’s

sin and the terrors of his eternal punishment• Because He sensed all that sin and death meant to human

beings– Judas had the same chance as all the others– sad

IV. The Betrayer…?•Vv 22-26, no one had a clue who…• Remember this painting?

IV. The Betrayer…?•Vv 22-26, no one had a clue who…• Remember this painting?• That’s Judas on Jesus’ right, honor•Also the custom of Dipping Bread with someone meant their honor•He’d “advocated” for the poor•When he left, they likely thought He was on a mission for Jesus

IV. The Betrayer…?• Then the arguing amongst themselves started again•Up to the very hour of his treachery, Jesus protected Judas•Had Jesus openly revealed what He knew about Judas, likely themen would have turned on him• Remember Peter and the sword?• Judas was doubly honored, seating and given the bread

V. The Possession of Judas•V 27, possessed by the Devil• Real then and today, but fear not

• “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22• “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not yourown?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 • “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

V. The Possession of Judas•V 27, possessed by the Devil• Real then and today, but fear not• Let me put these three verses into one paragraph: When we receive Jesus into our lives, He gives the Holy Spirit as a guarantee for our eternal salvation; then the Holy Spirit resides in our hearts and we become His temple where He lives. The Holy Spirit who lives in us is the God Almighty who has no rival or competitor, period. Hedoesn’t share our hearts with Satan or his demons

VI. It was Night…•Vv 28-30, tremendous impact when you remember the themes of light and dark- ness in this Gospel• Jesus is the Light of the world, but Judas rejected Jesus and went out to darkness• Just as the FBI agent didn’t consider consequences, Judas only cared for money• Please keep in mind that Judas knew what he was doing and that he did it deliberately

Take Away…

• The devil can provide us all the lame ex- cuses, false reasons, and even twisted justifications why we should sin against the Lord and follow our carnal nature. • But it is us who make that decision, NOT the devil

Take Away…

• If you are a believer in Christ, you don’t have to yield to temptation when it raises its ugly head•We have the power from our God the Spirit who lives in us•All we have to do is: Submit ourselves to God-- Resist the devil, and he will flee from us!