Almost Saved

This morning we return to John 13, and I want to set the stage for you.  Last Sunday morning, we looked at John 13:1-20.  It was Thursday of Passion Week, Jesus’ last week on earth before His crucifixion, and it was evening time as Jesus and His disciples had gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast. 

 

Remember that Jesus taught a very powerful lesson on humility and service as His disciples were arguing about who was the greatest.  In an act of humility, the Son of Man washed the feet of His disciples including Judas, and He told us to do the same.

 

In going one step further, let’s talk about the set up of this room.  It was not as you might think and as it has been depicted in famous paintings. 

 

It actually was probably more like this.  The room and setting probably included what is called a triclinium.  That was a low, rectangular dining table around which seats or couches were arranged on three of the four sides. 

 

The opening allowed for food to be served.  Those in attendance would be lying on their stomachs and leaning on their left arms with their heads toward the table and their feet away from the table.  The right arm was then available to reach and get food. 

 

More than likely, John was to Jesus’ right, the place of special honor.  To His left was Judas, the next highest place of honor.

 

This morning, I want to examine Judas in more detail and see what he did and how it affected the Lord.  Did you know that Judas Iscariot is mentioned by name 10 times in the NT?

 

Of those 10 times, his act of betrayal is connected with his name 10 out of 10 times.  In other words, that was who Judas was.  Judas is known the world over for his betrayal of the Lord Jesus. 

 

 

21. Judas’ betrayal hurt Jesus deeply, 13:21.

21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

 

The “these” in verse 21 was Jesus announcing that fact Judas would be the one to betray Him as a fulfillment of OT prophecy, specifically Psalm 41:9.  As a result, He was troubled in His spirit. 

 

The NLT says, “deeply troubled.”  It must have broken Jesus’ heart to have invested His life into Judas for three years, and yet, He knew full well that Judas was going to sell Him out for thirty pieces of silver. 

 

By the way, if you have ever had a close friend turn on you, betray you, hurt you, you’re in good company.  Jesus knows exactly how you feel, and it’s ok for you to feel hurt when friends betray you.

 

In verse 22, the disciples didn’t understand who Jesus was talking about.  The other Gospel accounts record them each asking if it was him.  See Matthew 26:22.

 

22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”

 

In verse 23, John was the closest to Jesus.  He was probably to His right. 

 

In verse 24, Peter may have been a few persons away.  Regardless, Peter wanted to know who was going to betray his Lord and so he asked John to ask Jesus.  Peter was mad, and he was ready to act. 

 

Judas’ betrayal hurt Jesus deeply. 

 

 

27. Judas’ betrayal was orchestrated by the devil, 13:26-27.

26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

 

Verse 26 contains Jesus’ answer.  Jesus said it would be the one to whom He gave the piece of bread after having dipped it.

 

What do you think happened? He took and gave to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 

 

Verse 27 is one of the worst in the entire Bible.  After taking the bread, Satan then entered into Judas, and Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 

 

This is not the first time that we have seen this language.  See John 6:70, 13:2.

 

6:70, Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

 

13:2, And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.

 

Judas’ betrayal was orchestrated by the devil.

 

 

• Judas’ betrayal was mysteriously part of God’s plan, 13:28-30.

28 But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. 29 For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

 

After Jesus said this to Judas, he had so fooled those around him that the other disciples didn’t even know what Jesus meant even though He had told them explicitly.  Then Judas left.

 

How was Judas’ betrayal part of God’s plan?  Back in John 6:70, Jesus said He had chosen Judas, but he was a devil.

 

6:70, Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

 

In John 13:18, Jesus said Judas’ betrayal was a fulfillment of prophecy.  He quoted Psalm 41:9 when Ahithophel betrayed King David and hung himself just like Judas.

 

18 “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’

 

Why do I say Judas’ betrayal was mysteriously part of God’s plan?  Even though Judas’ betrayal was part of God’s plan, Judas was completely responsibly for his actions and would spend an eternity in hell because he rejected Christ.

 

In the past two Sundays, we have seen Jesus reach out to Judas continuing to give him a chance to repent.  He sat him in a position of honor. He washed Judas’ feet.  He fed Judas the supper.

 

All of these actions were acts of friendship.  All of these were opportunities for Judas to repent.

 

Judas had fooled most everyone. He most assuredly had been baptized.  He had done ministry with the others.  He held a position of leadership as treasurer.

 

However, he hadn’t fooled God.  What about you?

 

 

Conclusion

Today, are you just like Judas…almost saved?  Jesus has invited you over and over again to be completely His, and you have fooled your family and your friends. 

 

You might even be a church member like Judas was a disciples’ member.  You might have even engaged in ministry like Judas.  You might even hold or have held a position of leadership like Judas.  

 

However, it doesn’t matter what others think or say.  It matters what God says.

 

My appeal for you today is not to be almost saved, but to be saved certainly and completely from hell and to heaven beyond a shadow of doubt.  Today, our invitation is for you.