“Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ Then… he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.”

John 13:26-27
The lines of Psalm 23:5 played out in Jesus’ life the evening of the Last Supper. There He was, with the table prepared before Him, in the presence of His enemy. How stinging it must have been because that enemy also had been a friend.
For 30 pieces of silver, Judas conspired with the religious leaders to hand Jesus over to them. He slipped away into the night and waited until Jesus would have left the supper table. As the Savior headed to Gethsemane’s garden to find solace and strength in prayer, the ring of Jesus’ enemies expanded. They came at Him with torches and weapons. He met them with three words: “I am he” (John 18:6). Those three words held a world of power, enough to knock His enemies flat on the ground.
And Jesus’ friends? They fled in fear. Deserted Him. Turned their backs on Him. Ran closer to the edge of the ring of Jesus’ enemies than of His friends. And they were ashamed to call Him Lord. Still, they were all offered the bountiful, life-giving food of forgiveness. It’s offered to you and me, too.



Scripture Focus

John 13:18-30

Insight

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Bible In A Year

  • Jeremiah 17-18
  • Psalm 112
  • Romans 15-16

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