29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
The hour had now arrived where darkness reigned. Judas had perhaps deceived some of his peers but he had in no way duped the Lord Jesus. Jesus was not taken by surprise – He never is. We find the Master’s Word confirming this in Luke when He responded to those who came to arrest Him:
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns." Luke 22:52-53 (NIV)
Make no mistake about it; darkness reigned because darkness was permitted to reign. God is the only One with ultimate, full and complete power – Satan must answer to Him. Recall the story of blameless Job with me. The adversary could do nothing more to Job than God allowed:
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." 9"Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." 12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger." Job 1:8-12 (NIV)
Again Satan asks permission to buffet Job and God once again places certain restrictions on his hands:
1 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." 3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." 4 "Skin for skin!" Satan replied. "A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face." 6 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life." Job 2:1-6 (NIV)
Remember, too, Jesus’ Words to Pilate showing him to be no more than a mere pawn in God’s omnipotent Hand:
11 Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." John 19:11 (NIV)
After Jesus’ death and resurrection Peter addresses the crowds with the following Truth found in Acts which clearly demonstrates both man’s culpability and God’s foreknowledge. God’s set purposes, I might add, will always come to pass:
22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Acts 2:22-24 (NIV)
In our verses for today we are also told that because Judas was in charge of the group’s money, some of the disciples appear to wrongly assume the high road regarding his actions – not questioning or even being red flagged by his abrupt departure – they had placed their trust in him. They were surely duped and soon to be sorely disappointed and hurt. Nothing hurts worse than a betrayal by a friend or family or loved one. Second guessing one of their own would not have entered their minds – it would have been foreign to them – a strange concept. They were to have been like minded brothers - treating one another both lovingly and selflessly – following closely in their Master’s footsteps. Yet they were wrong in their assumption that Judas cared anything for the poor and that he was even a safe keeper of their funds. Sin is never compartmentalized in a life. When it is allowed to enter in, it permeates. We must beware of this. Scripture tells us the Truth regarding the traitor’s actions:
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. John 12:4-6 (NIV)
It is interesting to me as well that while the disciples had no reason to question Judas-treating him the same as all the others – Jesus knew fully who the adversary was yet treated him no differently. Paul’s words in Romans come to mind:
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NIV)