Who Will Betray Jesus?

N.T.#428 "Who Will Betray Jesus?"

Nov. 21, 2024 

Mark 14-Part 6

LET IT GLOW 

Earlier, we read of the two disciples going into a certain town looking for a particular man so they could perform a specific task. That man had a large upper room for the 13 to observe the Passover. Jesus gave very detailed instructions and the two obeyed. After the preparations for the Passover dinner was made, the men reclined at the table to eat. As the men talked, Jesus revealed to them that one of them would betray Him. 

One of you which eateth with Me shall betray Me. (verse 18)

What a shocking statement it must have been for the eleven. Judas knew it was the truth which Jesus spoke. (I wonder if Judas thought the religious leaders would only put Jesus into prison and not kill Him. Judas thought about the money he would get for revealing Jesus' location. The Pharisees and scribes wanted to be done with Jesus, do away with this do gooder, and His comments. He had too many followers, this imposter, so they thought.

Betray means deliver (up); give (over, up).

The faithful followers of Jesus, the Messiah, began to be sorrowful. "Surely not I?' "It is not I, is it?" Those disciples wanted to know who it was. 

All of them knew they were capable of doing it, friend. If you have not discovered that you are totally depraved, that you are not a good person but a sinner, that you are thoroughly capable of turning your back on God, you haven't discovered very much. Even saved people in church are capable of turning their back on God. Each of us could ask, "Is it I? (McGee)

Where do we stand? 

LET IT GROW

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. (Ps. 41:9)

The next thing Jesus said revealed who the betrayer was: It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with Me in the dish. (verse 20)

John 13:26-28, NLT says, Jesus responded, "It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl." And when He had dipped it, He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. The Jesus told him, "Hurry and do what you're going to do. "None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. 

It must have been Judas who dipped his bread in the bitter herb dip or sauce with Jesus. Mark does not reveal Judas by name, yet Matthew reveals it was him. (Matt. 26:25) Jesus knew the identity of the mole.

Jesus allowed Judas to sit among the faithful and eat His last meal with Him. He gave the betrayer an opportunity to turn from sin, to repent, and to receive forgiveness. 

Jesus offers to us who are selfish, have impure motives, are unfaithful, and do acts that reveal a lack of devotion. He has every right to write us off and wipe us out, but His love overflows and His grace comes to our rescue. He extends His grace to us day after day. (Swindoll)

Have you experienced this grace? 

LET IT GO 

Turn us from evil and bring us to submit to You, Lord Jesus.

We need Your grace and mercy everyday.