21 But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him."
The deed is set - decreed from above - in fact, the deed had been set from the very beginning – the Son of Man would be betrayed by His close companion. Prophesied by King David one thousand years prior to the event taking place, the words in Psalm 41 give us a preview of what was decreed to occur. Jesus’ words in our verses for today have a familiar ring to the words of King David:
9 Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Psalms 41:9 (NIV)
God’s Word is so awesome! Prophesies fulfilled in Scripture proclaim the absolute Truth of the written Word. If God says it – it is accomplished.
37 Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Lam 3:37-38 (NIV)
31 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Sam 22:31 (NIV)
18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Matt 5:18 (NIV)
Yet, God’s foreknowledge does not negate man’s culpability as evidenced by Jesus’ “Woe”. Man is held accountable for his actions. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy:
19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." 2 Tim 2:19 (NIV)
Indeed, not all who claim to be Jesus’ disciples are His disciples. There will always be tares among the wheat. We should not be surprised at this. If it was true for Jesus’ closest companions, it will also be true for us as well. Jesus gives the reason in John why He tells His disciples beforehand He is going to be betrayed by one of them:
18 "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' 19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. John 13:18-19 (NIV)
“The scripture was fulfilled in the treachery of him who proved false. Christ took one into his family whom he foresaw to be a traitor, to fulfill the scripture. This our Saviour applies to Judas. Judas, as an apostle, was admitted to the highest privilege: he ate bread with Christ. He was favoured by him, one of those with whom he was intimately conversant. He says, He ate bread with me; such as he had, his disciples had their share of, Judas among the rest. Wherever he went, Judas was welcome with him, sat at the table with his Master, and in all respects fared as he fared. He ate miraculous bread with him, when the loaves were multiplied, ate the Passover with him. Not all who eat bread with Christ are his genuine disciples. Judas was guilty of the wickedest treachery: he lifted up the heel against Christ. He forsook him. He despised him. He became an enemy to him. It is no new thing for those who were Christ’s seeming friends to prove his real enemies.” Matthew Henry
Scripture tells us how Judas’ life plays out. Realizing the folly of his actions, we find the following stated concerning Judas - hence Jesus’ “Woe”:
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 27:3-5 (NIV)
“Sin is the dare of God’s justice, the rape of His mercy, the jeer of His patience, the slight of His power, and the contempt of His love.” John Bunyan
“All true knowledge of God is born out of obedience.” John Calvin
Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us. C. H. Spurgeon
“An awakened heart trembles at the audacity of sin, and stands alarmed at the contemplation of its punishment. How monstrous a thing is rebellion! How direful a doom is prepared for the ungodly! My soul, never laugh at sin’s fooleries, lest thou come to smile at sin itself. It is thine enemy, and thy Lord’s enemy – view it with detestation, for so only canst thou evidence the possession of holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.” C.H. Spurgeon