Last Supper 3 - Matt 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:18-30

Having just washed the feet of all the disciples, Jesus was “troubled in spirit” because he knew that he was going to be betrayed. This seemed like an awkward transition of subjects but then I realized that perhaps Jesus had just finished washing the feet of Judas Iscariot. Judas might have been sitting the furthest away from the Savior, or Jesus might have just saved him for last, or maybe he wasn’t last at all. Jesus could stop the arrest and crucifixion at any time, he didn’t need Judas to tell them where he was, he could have turned himself in, I mean, as much as Judas is demonized, his participation in the murder of Jesus was completely unnecessary, it would have happened no matter what.

Because only John recorded Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, I’m not really sure exactly where the betrayal conversation fits in, but the IM timeline says that Jesus brings up the topic after washing their feet, and really, that makes sense because what better way than saying, “I forgive you” than to wash the feet of someone when you both know what’s about to happen. Jesus states, “Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” I wonder why Jesus made a public announcement like that, he could have very easily pulled Judas to the side and said, “I know what you’re going to do.”
First, I think it’s important to point out that we know what Judas does because we have 2,000 years of hindsight, but as far as the disciples know, Judas is one of them and “betrayal” can mean anything. Jesus has told them that he is going to be crucified soon, but at this point it’s all still an abstract concept to them. From their perspective, “betrayal” could mean not haggling enough at the market to get the best price on food, or saying something negative about him behind his back. I don’t think “selling Jesus out to the chief priests so that he can be murdered” is on their radar, and really there is this secondary conversation between Jesus and Judas going on that no one else understands.
Second, the self-reflection that Jesus’ statement causes within the individual disciples is important in their development. Matthew tells us their reaction to the statement, “and they were exceedingly sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” There was a recognition in each of them that they still weren’t solid in their testimonies and faith enough to face Roman executioners and not run away. They realized that they still had room to grow. It’s one thing to be committed to a cause and wonder “would I die for this?” But there is a whole different level when the option to betray the cause is entertained.
We’ve seen these disciples fight about which one of them is the greatest as recently as 10 minutes before, we’ve seen them ask for special favors for themselves, and we’ve seen red hot tempers flaming against any sort of disrespect, these are men of a timid nature. But instead of fiery accusations at each other, President Uchtdorf says in his October 2014 general conference address entitled, “Lord Is It I?” “The disciples didn’t question the truth of what He said. Not did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, ‘Is it him?’… In these simple words, ‘Lord, is it I?’ lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change… It might not be so significant to overestimate how well we drive a car or how far we can drive a golf ball. But when we start believing that our contributions at home, at work, and at church are greater than they actually are, we blind ourselves to blessings and opportunities to improve ourselves in significant and profound ways.”
Socrates is quoted as saying, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” This phrase has taken hold in AA meetings around the world and the point is that we can’t just assume that we are doing great at everything, because if we do, then we don’t have the opportunity for personal growth, which is what makes life amazing. This has happened to me recently, I was getting too cocky at my job. Don’t get me wrong, I am really good at what I do, but that’s because I’ve had amazing training opportunities and been ripped apart for every study I’ve done for my first five years in the profession. But it’s recently been brought to my attention that I don’t know everything and that I have room for improvement. Don’t get me wrong, it was/is humbling and I didn’t like it at all, but I try a little bit harder now and have a little bit more modesty in my work. By making the statement, “One of you will betray me,” Jesus gave each of the disciples the chance to assess his personal commitment to Him and his cause.
Third, Jesus tells us why he makes the statement, saying, “but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.” There have been many times that the Lord had cited scriptural prophecies when they are fulfilled so that those who believe on Him will be able to make the connection between the prophecy and Him fulfilling it. Sometimes we need a little bit more hands on guidance than we would like to admit. We know that miracles and prophecies don’t convert, but they do strengthen those who already believe. One of Jesus’ main purposes in making the public statement was to strengthen the testimonies of the other 11 men that were with him steadfastly.
All the disciples ask, “Lord, is it I?” and even though it might have been a relatively public setting, I don’t think that any of them were interested in being ousted as a traitor in front of everyone else, so it’s possible that they asked this question to the Savior in a more secluded manner. When it’s Judas’ turn, he uses a different word, he says, “Master, is it I?” I didn’t even notice the difference because we use the term “Lord” and “Master” interchangeably when discussing Jesus. But Wikipedia says, “The attribution of the title Rabbi to Jesus by the Iscariot in this episode is unique to him, for one after another the other Apostles say, ‘Surely it is not I, Lord,’ using the Lord (Kyrios) title. The Iscariot again calls Jesus Rabbi in Matthew 26:49 when he betrays him to the Sanhedrin in the Kiss of Judas episode.”
When discussing Judas’ motivation for betrayal a few days again, someone pointed out that he refused to call Him “Lord.” Interestingly, an article fromharvardichthus.org says, “The Greek word kyrio for ‘Lord’ is not a technical title for deity, but simply denotes a person who has authority over someone or something. In the ancient world slaves referred to their masters as Kyrios (Greek) or Dominus (Latin).” Though not referring to His deity with the title, the other disciples did use language that implies his authority over them or at least His higher purpose. Judas use of “Master” was just referencing him as a teacher of religion. Jesus answered him saying, “Thou hast said.” I don’t really understand this as a condemnation, but it must have been pretty effectual language at the time.
Another reason why I believe the “Lord, is it I?” conversations were relatively quiet is because no body picked up Jesus answer to Judas and I would imagine that these men of resolve would not have taken kindly to one of their own “betraying” their Master. So nobody knows who Jesus is talking about, so Peter calls John over and tells him to ask Jesus who he is talking about. Peter talks to John about it because John is located right next to Jesus for the meal. It is in the record of John, but he never identifies himself by name, but he says “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.” And after Peter asks John to ask Jesus, John goes back to “lying on Jesus’ breast, saith unto him, Lord, who it is?”
This is a very interesting configuration of people. I know what many cultures are different and affection between men is open and accepted in Arab culture, so I don’t know if John and Jesus were cuddling on the couch, or if it would be any different if I was having dinner with Jesus, I would probably snuggle up against him and not let go too. That’s how I always imagined this scenario, John and Jesus all hugged up on the sofa, but the IM gives more background, saying, “In New Testament times, those dining at formal meals often reclined on low couches placed around tables, leaning on their left arms with their heads toward the table and their feet pointed away from the table. Therefore, the guest seated to the right of the host would have leaned toward the host. This appears to have been where the Apostle John sat, ‘leaning on Jesus’ bosom,’ or reclining toward Jesus, during the meal. This position would have allowed John, the disciples ‘whom Jesus loved,’ to have private conversations with the Savior that would not have been heard by everyone at the meal, such as the one concerning Judas’ betrayal.”
John asks Jesus who the betrayer is, and Jesus answers, “He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.” The IM comments, “The ‘sop’ described in John 13:25 was a small piece of bread that those dining would use to scoop broth and meat form a bowl. Since it was a gesture of kindness and respect for a host to dip a sop and give it to a dinner guest, the Savior by this act presented Judas with an offer of friendship, perhaps one final opportunity for him to abandon his planned betrayal. The Savior gave a sop to Judas, after which ‘Satan entered into him.’ By saying to Judas, ‘That thou doest, do quickly,’ the Lord showed that He already knew what Judas had determined to do and that the time had come for him to act upon his final decision.”
Surely Jesus knew that Judas was not going to respond positively to His gesture, but He tried anyway, and that’s how it is with us. He already knows what we are going to do, and instead of just writing us off as “lost,” He still reaches out and gives us a chance to change our mind, still tries to save us wherever he can. I also think that by having Judas leave immediately, he was giving him time to escape. I’m sure that Peter and John would have put it together that Judas was the betrayer, and probably would have acted rashly to try to protect Jesus from him. But ultimately, it didn’t matter what Judas was going to do, the time for the atonement had come and Judas didn’t make or break that at all. Also, Satan “entering into him” wasn’t a possession or anything like that and it makes it seem like Judas didn’t have a choice, but he did, Satan influenced him, but he didn’t make the choice for him.
I know that I’ve said it before, but I really hope that Judas has been able to work it out with Jesus on the other side. Jesus could have stopped any of the events in the next 24 hours at any time; Judas’ betrayal neither helped nor hindered the process of the atonement. The fact that he immediately went and killed himself afterward is proof to me that he truly understood how awful what he did was. If he really was past feeling, then he would have taken that money and lived it up until he died of old age, knowing what was waiting for him on the other side. Nothing cements loyalty like a betrayal, so I’d like to think that Judas was waiting for Jesus on the other side of the veil and begged him for forgiveness as soon as he passed through. I know that Jesus has forgiven him; it’s only a matter of if he’s been able to forgive himself.