4:307 – Judas Ate At The Last Supper

#faithbites #faithjourney Judas

Setting

My best friend sent me this picture and all I could say was Dang!. It brought home things I have never thought about before. Here we have the man who will betray our savior, which will lead to His death, being treated as a friend and loved one. Judas was at dinner, his feet were washed, and Jesus prayed for him. I don’t know about you, but If I knew someone was going to betray me, I don’t think I could treat them like that. As we believe that Jesus is God and all-knowing, he knew exactly which one of his disciples would betray him (John 13:26) and he still loved on him. How many of us can say the same for those who have wronged us?

Today’s Questions: Would you or could you be like Jesus in this situation? Do you have a Judas in your life? Do you love on them or push them away?

Scripture

• John 13:26 – ²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
• John 13:5 – ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
• John 13:11 –  ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
• John 13:14 – ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

Reflection

Let’s look at how this played out. First, Jesus knew that someone would betray him. He also knew that everyone needs to be clean. He also shows how he is a leader but a servant. Second, he tells his disciples to wash each other’s feet. He is showing them that they have to serve one another. There is no one more important and all need to be clean. (Yes, we know the washing of the feet while important for the time is also symbolic of washing our sins away).

In this situation, Jesus calls Judas out in a way that only he could understand. The other disciples weren’t sure what was going on. This is yet another example of how we should help others. We should tell them their faults and sins in private or in a way they would understand and not others (Matthew 18:15-20).

The more I read this, the more in awe of Christ I am. I try to put myself in that room and can’t imagine that I would do the same. But then again, I am a sinner trying to become who God wants me to be. Christ was born perfect. Fully God, Fully Man.

As we close, remember if Jesus can eat, pray, and wash Judas, you can serve those who have wronged you. You can show the Grace and Glory of God in everything you do.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing us was true understanding, love, and forgiveness is. We can’t comprehend a love and life of service like yours. Help us to try to follow your example the best we can and love the Judas’s in our lives. When we stumble, we ask for your forgiveness and help to stand up and try again. We pray this in your name, Amen.