“When Judas had
gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in
Him…’” (John 13:31, BSB)
John’s recounting of Judas’ betray of Jesus in chapter
thirteen should lead people to consider their life choices. He used Judas’ betrayal
of Jesus to highlight the choices Jesus gives people. The text explains the
choices and the consequences. Judas’ name became synonymous for a reason. We can
learn from Judas’ actions and their results. What can we learn from this
occurrence during Jesus’ earthly life? What did Jesus say happened right after
Judas walked away from him?
Judas’ departure from the supper table to see the priests
pointed a sign toward Jesus. This sign declared Jesus is the Son of Man. Judas believed
Jesus was the Messiah, but he did not believe in Jesus. He did not accept
salvation from his sins by faith in Jesus. According to John, Judas “had gone
out” (exerchomai). (Interestingly, other Bible writers used exerchomai
to tell of demons leaving.) What caused Judas to betray Jesus? What caused him
to choose money instead of salvation? Did God fore-ordain that Judas would
betray Jesús and not be saved?
God knew someone would betray Jesus. Many of us refuse to
acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah and our Savior. We might run from Him when God
is convicting us of our sins. We may avoid Jesus when we do not want to obey
God. Perhaps we run from God because someone in our past, who was a supposed
Christian, hurt us. People run away from Jesus for various reasons. God does
not force our belief or our giving up the right to ourselves. God gives each of
us a choice to follow Jesus or not. Despite knowing Jesus is the Messiah, Judas
refused to trust Him for salvation and eternal life. Perhaps the fastest way
Judas found to avoid spiritual conviction was to leave Jesus’ presence,
physically. The lure of thirty pieces of silver from the priests to betray
Jesus led Judas to desire “easy money.” The lure fed Judas’ love of money. It
provided a safe distance from Jesus’ influence, so he would not have to deal
with his heart’s sin conviction.
Jesus grieves the lost souls in the world. He desires no one
to be lost. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us this. Peter wrote, “God is patient with you,
not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God—Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit--did not want Judas to run away from Jesus or the Spirit’s
convicting him of his sins. God’s desire is for all to repent, believe in
Jesus, and be saved from sins. By that salvation, each person enters an eternal
relationship with Him. Judas chose to run from the Holy Spirit’s convicting of
his heart and run toward his temptation.
God is greater than any person. He can use all things for
good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans
8:28). Satan tried to thwart God’s plan to provide eternal forgiveness and
salvation through Jesus. But Satan was not all-knowing, almighty, or
omnipotent. God’s plans prevail. God’s plan never forces a person to receive
salvation. His plan in John 13:31 was for Jesus to be glorified as the Son of
Man, the Messiah. God’s plan included Himself being glorified. Glorification of
Jesus and God affirmed they are real, trustworthy, and the only deity. The
human life of Jesus came to its culmination, and His
heavenly reality became apparent with the start of His finish on earth that Passover
week. The person betraying Jesus that week ushered in the last days of Jesus’
earthly life.
Jesus planned to be crucified as the perfect human sacrifice—one
without sin. He planned to die as the sacrifice for the sins of humanity. According
to God’s plan, anyone who has faith in Jesus and repents of their sins can
receive salvation and be restored to a right relationship with God. As Jesus’
last days opened, Judas’ betrayal of Him led to Jesus’ glorification as Son of
Man, deity. Jesus was 100% human and is 100% God. Jesus and the Father received
glory that day. The disciples acknowledged and honored Jesus’ true nature, part
of the Trinity.
Jesus wants everyone to accept His offer of salvation and
avoid eternal separation from God. He does not want backhand acknowledgement of
His divinity by the intentional turning away from Him, like Judas. Jesus wishes
for a relationship with each person by their belief in Him as their Savior from
their sins.
What lures you away from God and the salvation He gives to everyone
who believes in Jesus? What do you choose for your life instead of
acknowledging Jesus as your Savior and Lord? Don’t be the person who fears the
future and chooses what is tangible. Choose absolute certainty in the Savior
and guaranteed eternal life with God. Judas saw and believed Jesus was God
manifested in the flesh, but he chose a lure instead of Jesus.
