Jesus spilled the beans. He wanted to show how Scripture was being fulfilled by betrayal in their midst. Can you imagine how the disciples felt when they heard one of them would turn against Jesus, their friend? I was unclear whether or not at the time Jesus proclaimed it–did Judas know himself. The passage makes it sound like Satan entered Judas at that moment. What did that look like exactly? In the movies, we’ve often seen devil eyes to be like red hot flames or glowing embers. Did Judas take on a new appearance on the outside, or was he just burning up on the inside?
The bad guy was identified and let go to go and do what he’s “going to do.” Didn’t you like how a couple of the disciples were acting a bit like children, nudging each other to get the other in a position to ask Jesus who he was referring to? It reminds me also how easily we can be overtaken by Satan to do things we normally wouldn’t do without his “intervention.”
Exposed. Judas was exposed. The others were still a bit perplexed at what had just happened. What did Jesus even mean? It will all come clear to them soon. But for now, a special meal together has now turned awkward. It was easier to believe that Jesus just let Judas go to pay the bill or something “normal” like that.
Have you ever been caught red-handed doing something less than honorable? I think of a broken mirror at the end of our hallway growing up as a kid. My brother and I were messing around in the closet, like we had been told NOT to do. I may have been climbing the shelves to get to something “forbidden” on the top shelf. I may have slipped and fell against the closet door sending it crashing into the wall behind, glass shattering into a million pieces. How do you hide that sin? Do you point your finger at your brother? That makes it worse.
We try to hide our sins when we can. We try to avoid being caught and sometimes even pass blame. As a mom, I would have the kids believing I had eyes in the back of my head. I could just sense when there was nonsense going on that I needed to tend to. God is like that. He can see everything. He knows our hearts better than we do. He sees every stumble, yet loves us completely.
Did God love Judas? Was Judas’ sin forgivable? That’s between God and Judas. We need to focus on our own life, both struggles and joys. God is there no matter what. Why not call on his strength to withstand the attacks of Satan?
Let’s pray. Lord, I thank you that you are my protector and my guide. Forgive me when I stumble and fall away from your perfect will. Help me to stay on track. Give me your shield of protection to deflect all attacks from the evil one. Use me to help others see you are their one true defense. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
