But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
The betrayal belongs to the last Passover supper, with the betrayer's hand on the table with Jesus as they ate. It came as Jesus was about to offer Himself as a sin-offering and to institute the Lord's Supper as the memorial of His sacrifice. The setting is the table shared with the twelve at that final meal.
Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would betray Him, yet He announced it openly while the betrayer was present. He declared that His death would occur as determined and as written of the Son of man, as part of the events leading to His suffering. At the same time He pronounced woe upon the betrayer, for whom it would have been good not to have been born.
The betrayer was Judas, one of the close and favored twelve who had heard Jesus teach, received His love, and been brought into close communion with Him. Yet he was already committed to betrayal and sat at the table brooding over dark purposes even as he shared the meal. He shared the table with Jesus and the other disciples while that purpose was fixed.
Judas dipped his hand with Jesus in the dish and ate with Him in silence. He partook of the bread and wine that symbolized Christ's broken body and spilled blood, and Jesus even washed his feet and let him unite with Him in that sacrament. Jesus thus identified the betrayer as the one sharing food with Him at the table.
The announcement shocked the other disciples, who could not imagine that one of the twelve would do this. It brought amazement and consternation and painful self-distrust. They questioned among themselves who would do it, searched their own hearts, and each asked whether it was himself. This occurred in the same setting where they disputed who among them should be considered greatest.
Judas remained silent while the others examined themselves. Only after all eyes turned to him did he ask whether it was himself. He was told in reply that he himself had said so, which exposed his crime. He was then urged to do quickly what he was going to do, and hastily rose to leave.
In this the Scripture about a companion who ate with Jesus turning against Him was being fulfilled when Judas left the sacramental table to carry out the betrayal. This meal was his last time with the twelve. He could still have repented at that solemn service, and the words spoken at the foot washing went to his heart with conviction, but pride would not yield and he hardened his heart in opposition and braced himself against it. By choosing to proceed and leaving Jesus and the disciples he passed beyond the boundary of God's mercy and love.
By keeping Judas at the table Jesus as a long-suffering Saviour held out every inducement for the sinner to receive Him, repent, and be cleansed from the defilement of sin. His dealing is an example that one supposed to be in error and sin is not to be divorced, carelessly separated, left a prey to temptation, or driven onto Satan's battleground. The scene also warns against trusting appearances or self-confidence, as Peter confidently promised loyalty but fell, so strength rests in trusting Christ.
The betrayal belongs to the last Passover supper, with the betrayer's hand on the table with Jesus as they ate. It came as Jesus was about to offer Himself as a sin-offering and to institute the Lord's Supper as the memorial of His sacrifice. The setting is the table shared with the twelve at that final meal.
Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would betray Him, yet He announced it openly while the betrayer was present. He declared that His death would occur as determined and as written of the Son of man, as part of the events leading to His suffering. At the same time He pronounced woe upon the betrayer, for whom it would have been good not to have been born.
The betrayer was Judas, one of the close and favored twelve who had heard Jesus teach, received His love, and been brought into close communion with Him. Yet he was already committed to betrayal and sat at the table brooding over dark purposes even as he shared the meal. He shared the table with Jesus and the other disciples while that purpose was fixed.
Judas dipped his hand with Jesus in the dish and ate with Him in silence. He partook of the bread and wine that symbolized Christ's broken body and spilled blood, and Jesus even washed his feet and let him unite with Him in that sacrament. Jesus thus identified the betrayer as the one sharing food with Him at the table.
The announcement shocked the other disciples, who could not imagine that one of the twelve would do this. It brought amazement and consternation and painful self-distrust. They questioned among themselves who would do it, searched their own hearts, and each asked whether it was himself. This occurred in the same setting where they disputed who among them should be considered greatest.
Judas remained silent while the others examined themselves. Only after all eyes turned to him did he ask whether it was himself. He was told in reply that he himself had said so, which exposed his crime. He was then urged to do quickly what he was going to do, and hastily rose to leave.
In this the Scripture about a companion who ate with Jesus turning against Him was being fulfilled when Judas left the sacramental table to carry out the betrayal. This meal was his last time with the twelve. He could still have repented at that solemn service, and the words spoken at the foot washing went to his heart with conviction, but pride would not yield and he hardened his heart in opposition and braced himself against it. By choosing to proceed and leaving Jesus and the disciples he passed beyond the boundary of God's mercy and love.
By keeping Judas at the table Jesus as a long-suffering Saviour held out every inducement for the sinner to receive Him, repent, and be cleansed from the defilement of sin. His dealing is an example that one supposed to be in error and sin is not to be divorced, carelessly separated, left a prey to temptation, or driven onto Satan's battleground. The scene also warns against trusting appearances or self-confidence, as Peter confidently promised loyalty but fell, so strength rests in trusting Christ.