(1) 13:18 “What I am saying does not refer to all of you. I know the ones I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who eats my bread has turned against me.’
Judas is the key person in this passage. He was mentioned right at the beginning v.2. What Jesus was saying about His self-sacrifice and teaching the disciples to follow v.16 did not apply to Judas v.18. In other words, the betrayal was the total opposite of love and thus Judas was excluded in the sender-disciples relationship.
Reflection: We may not be the betrayer of Jesus, but do we follow the example of Jesus' sacrificial love to one another? Are we included or excluded in the loving-each-other community? Being a lone ranger and being a follower of Jesus are 2 mutually exclusive concepts.
(2) 13:27 And after Judas took the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
(BDAG) to enter into persons or animals enter into someone (... of the divine spirit entering into prophets) esp. of hostile spirits which take possession of someone’s body as their dwelling.
(NET) John 13:2 makes it clear that Judas had already come under satanic influence prior to the meal itself. The statement here is probably meant to indicate that Judas at this point came under the influence of Satan even more completely and finally.
Jesus could cast out the demons throughout the Gospel. He commanded them to go out and they had to leave. The demons went out to the swines after they got the permission of Jesus. Here Jesus gave the permission of Satan-controlling Judas to do whatever he was about to do.
Reflection: Judas had all the potential as the other 11 disciples. He heard the same teachings of Jesus and received the foot washing of Jesus as the other disciples. He could have followed Jesus and been one of His messengers. But, he chose darkness over light and eventually he was totally controlled by Satan. When we hear God's words preached or we read God's words is our heart moved? Or we stay stubborn to our own way? Do we give in to sin? Do we let sin control over us?
Audrey
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