As we continue our study of the Gospel of John, we pick up at at verse 25, of Chapter 13. Jesus, and His Disciples were at the Passover Meal, the Last Supper for Him, and He had made the statement that one of them would betray Him; for He was a wanted man. John was sitting next to Jesus, and Peter asked John to find out who it was. The Word says,
“Leaning back against Jesus, he asked Him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when have dipped it in the dish.’ Then dipping the piece of bread, He gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, ‘What you have to do, do quickly.’ But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.” John 13: 25 – 30.
Many opinions have been given as to why Judas betrayed Jesus, but we can only give opinions, we do not know why for certain. We can only know for sure when the Word tells us, and it tells us that Satan entered into the heart of Judas, at the Pass Over Supper, and Judas went about doing what he had agreed to do. Betray Jesus. The Word tells us Judas was in fact a thief, and that Satan had entered him prior to the Pass Over, and that he had already been paid in advance 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus. So he was open access to the devil to enter in and give focus and power to do the job he needed to do that night. The arrest, the mock trial, the beating, the crucifixion, the death of our Lord was all part of the plan of salvation. Judas and the devil were used in that plan though they had no idea they were being used. The devil thought the death of the Messiah would stop the saving of mankind. Judas, even though he had seen the miracles of Jesus, and was taught personally by Him, was willing to be used because He had not given himself to the Messiah.
Things happen, and often people are used to make those things happen – people who know the Lord, and people that do not know the Lord. Understanding these things are well above our pay grade at this time, but here is truth. God is Sovereign. He always has our best interest in mind. Trust Him. He is Love. He is Good. Christ is our Righteousness.
When we abide, that is live in, the Righteousness of Christ, evil cannot enter into our heart and mind. When we abide in the fallen flesh, it can. Let us live and walk in the Spirit of God who is within us when we accept Jesus as Lord. Evil cannot abide where God is, for God is Light, and Love. Light and Love always overcomes the darkness and despair of any situation. Let us always trust, and believe that it does, and know that we will see it happen as we continue our walk of faith in Him.?