Left Hanging

For years I have wondered why Jesus chose Judas Iscariot as one of his disciples. Surely he knew right from the start that Judas would be a problem. There are many other ways he could have accomplished his purpose to die on the cross without Judas. So why have Judas with him and with the other eleven disciples? Not only was he with them, but John tells us that Judas was their treasurer. He kept the money bag for the group. John 12:6 Was this poor judgment on Jesus’ part?

As the time approaches for Jesus to do his work on the cross, he is having his last Passover with the disciples. Jesus begins to tell them some of the things that are going to occur over the next few days. “After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, ‘I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.’” John 13:21 Jesus was troubled in spirit. This was not an easy time for him. But I think that his being troubled in spirit was more than that.

There were at least three significant relationship things going on in this betrayal. Only one of those three is the betrayer. Judas may have had problems all along, but John tells us that, “His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.” John 13:22 That tells us that Judas was not a ‘bad’ disciple. He was one of the twelve. He had gone through the same rigorous training the rest of them had and was learning along with them. That any one of the twelve would betray Jesus was beyond their wildest imaginings.

The second relationship thing is that Jesus was going to be betrayed by a friend. Anyone who has ever been betrayed by a friend can rest assured that Jesus knows what it feels like. It is one of the most painful things in life. Betrayal by an enemy we can understand. But betrayal by someone we thought was our friend is painful beyond words. Forgiveness is the only way through this one and it doesn’t come without a price.

The third relationship was between Judas and the other eleven disciples. While they didn’t go to the cross because of his betrayal, the would have felt deceived and betrayed as well by his friendship and following Jesus with them and then turning on them and betraying Jesus, their leader, their teacher, and their friend. Is it possible that Jesus being troubled in spirit was because he knew how hard it would be for them to forgive Judas and go on?

“As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. ‘What you are about to do, do quickly,’” Jesus told him. John 13:27 Both Luke and John tell us “Satan entered into him.” It would seem that is the only way Judas could have done what he did. There is a spirit world that most of us in the ‘developed’ countries choose to ignore. We like to believe only what we can see, feel, touch, taste, or at least prove mathematically or scientifically. But both John and Luke make careful mention of it in this situation. Satan entered Judas. From that point on, Judas was a different person. He purposed in his heart to turn Jesus over to the religious authorities – to betray a friend.

This is a very hard place to end today because my spirit is troubled. As I think about the betrayal of Jesus and the pain that caused not only him, but the eleven disciples as well, I also think about times when I have been betrayed by friends – nothing so serious as the cross, though sometimes my reputation (who others believe me to be) has been crucified. It hurts the worst when it is someone close to me that says the unthinkable. Most often they don’t even realize they are betraying me. Once again, forgiveness is the only way through.

I need to jump ahead and read the last chapter so I can let this rest for a while. But shock! John does not tell us what I want to hear right now. Only Luke records these words, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 I’m thinking John does not want us to think this was too easy. He is more willing to let us hang out with him and the other disciples during these last days and to walk through the emotions with them. Restoration and peace will come, but not just yet. We’re ‘left hanging’ for now.