John 13:18

“I am speaking to 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.’”-John 13:18

Jesus circled back to Judas.  In verse 11 he had indicated that one of his friends would betray him.  Judas.  Jesus knew that he would be betrayed because it had been foretold in scripture.  Do you ever wonder if he knew when he chose Judas that he would be the betrayer?  The betrayal was part of God’s unfolding story.  Jesus referenced Psalm 41:9, which reads “Even my closest friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” Jesus had trusted Judas. They lived life together, yet he was betrayed by him.

In the next verse of Psalm 41, the psalmist wrote, “but you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them!”  The psalmist did not write this from a place of petty vindictiveness, but from a recognition that justice would prevail.  God will deal with sin.

Have you ever felt betrayed, cast off by another, lied about, or ignored?  Perhaps a more important question is how often have you been the betrayer?  Jesus came to deal with ever betrayer, rebel, and renegade, paying for their sins on the cross, but like us, they need to accept his free gift.

Prayer
Jesus, your friend Judas’s betrayal led to the cross. What a punch in the gut that must have been.  Yet, you willingly stuck to the plan. Forgive us for the ways in which we continually betray you, our friend. Thank you for your persevering grace. Amen.