Thursday, April 1, 2010
John 13:21-30
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 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. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 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. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. (ESV)
by Teri Morgan
Jesus knew what Judas was going to do and was troubled in his spirit. Yet, He called Judas to be one His disciples. Jesus lived with and taught Judas. Jesus did not force Judas to love him. When asked by his disciples who would betray him, Jesus told them it would be the one who took the bread from him. Judas took the bread. Satan entered into him. Judas chose to sin and follow Satan instead of Jesus. It is fitting that the final sentence of this passage reads, “and it was night,” for Judas entered into the darkness.
This passage is full of lessons for us today. It gives us a very clear picture of our choices and the consequences that come with them. It shows the incredible love Jesus has for each of His followers.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2010, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.

