The Betrayal of Jesus

John 13:18-38, Psalm 41:9

In this portion of scripture Jesus was troubled because he knew what was going to happen.  To the other disciples his demeanor did not make sense.  They did not understand.  Some think that giving the dipped bread to Judas was equivalent to saying 'the honored guest will betray me'.  After Judas ate the bread Satan entered into him.  Jesus' instruction to him was do what he was going to do quickly.  The others still were guessing at what Jesus meant.  They thought it might have had something to do with money since he was the keeper of the money bag.  A little side not from John 12:6 tells us that Judas, as keeper of the money bag, stole from it for himself and was a thief.

A New commandment

The rest of chapter 13 deals with Jesus explaining what was about to happen which was not well understood by the disciples.  However, in order to prepare them and the church to come after His death resurrection and ascension he gave them a new commandment.  They are to love one another as he had loved them.  All the 'loves' in verse 34 are agape loves.  This agape love will be the identifying characteristic that world will know that you are my disciples.

 

John 13:34-35 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:  just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."