John 13:11

In his gospel, John continually stresses the supernatural knowledge our Lord Jesus possesses. As God, He sees behind the superficial directly into the hearts of people – discerning clearly all motives for every action. He needs no human help to evaluate what lies within a person.

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Sam 16:7 (NIV)

Our Lord’s perfect foreknowledge of the ways and means of His sufferings and His complete and thorough discernment of the character of all His disciples come alive in our verse for today. He was not taken by surprise over any happenings that were to occur. He walked up to death with a complete and full knowledge of every step He was about to tread. Other references regarding Christ’s omniscience are found earlier in the Gospel of John as well:

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." 48 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." 49 Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." John 1:47-49 (NIV)

25 He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man. John 2:25 (NIV)

63 "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. John 6:63-64 (NIV)

70 Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.) John 6:70-71 (NIV)

What is supremely interesting to me is that even having an absolute knowledge that Judas was the one to betray Him - our Lord treated him no differently. It was as if He continued to give him opportunity after opportunity to turn back from the point of departure. John also tells us that Jesus offered bread to Judas at the last supper. In those times a host would offer a morsel of bread to a guest as an indication of friendship. It is certainly ironic that Jesus’ act of friendship toward Judas signaled his betrayal of our Lord:

Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. John 13:26-27 (NIV)

Indeed, Jesus treated Judas so much the same that His other disciples were clueless – even those closest to Him – Peter, James and John – over whom He was referring to when He stated one of them would betray Him:

20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me." 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?" Matt 26:20-22 (NIV)

I believe that had Judas returned to Jesus after his devilish deed rather than to the Jewish leaders of the day - in repentance - he would have been forgiven. He would have been cleansed from his unrighteous act – even if he were to come to the foot of the cross while our Lord was being crucified – not too dissimilar to the thief dying next to Jesus. If we have breath, it is never too late to turn to the Master. We are to always go first to the foot of the cross for repentance and restoration, humbling bowing at the feet of Jesus – not to people.

1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor. 3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. 4 "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." 5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matt 27:1-5 (NIV)

Yet with Jesus there is forgiveness; with Jesus there is cleansing; with Jesus there is hope; with Jesus there is renewal; with Jesus there is joy.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

“Everything comes from love...God does nothing without this goal in mind.” Catherine of Siena

"There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still." Corrie Ten Boom