May 23

2 Samuel 2:12-3:39
John 13:1-30
Psalm 119:1-16
Proverbs 15:29-30

New Testament: John 13:1-30

Summary: Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet, One of You Will Betray Me

During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, ~ John 13:2

This does not pardon Judas, because he had already toyed with the idea and this was what the devil also wanted. Considering Judas was also a disciple of Christ, one might think he wouldn’t be tempted by the devil, but even Jesus was tempted. Pastors or just followers of Jesus are not immune from Satan’s temptations, no matter what their position is in the church. It is imperative that we guard our hearts and know the Bible in order to avoid grave danger. Unless we know the bible and its truth, we will be deceived, and this will lead to our destruction. Be sure you are born again and know Jesus.

John Gill states: However, this man was an disciple of Christ’s whom Satan tempted to betray him; so that we see that the highest office, and greatest gifts, cannot secure men from the temptations of Satan: the manner in which he tempted him was, he “put”, or “cast it into his heart”; it was a dart, and a fiery one, he threw into him, into his very heart; which shows the access Satan has into, and the influence he has upon the minds of men: his end in this temptation was to work upon him “to betray” Christ, his Lord and master, who had chosen him to be an apostle of his, and had invested him with this high office, into the hands of his enemies, in order to be put to death. This was an affair determined by God, known by Christ, and which he foretold to his disciples; yet all this did not in the least excuse the malice of Satan, and the wickedness of Judas: it was an action devilish indeed, and which, one would think, could never have entered into his heart, had not the devil put it there; and this was at supper time, whilst they were at table together, that this thought was darted into his mind; which is mentioned to show, that no place and company can preserve persons from the evil suggestions of the devil, and to aggravate the sin of Judas, who when, and while he was eating bread with Christ, first thought of, and determined to lift up his heel against him: moreover, it was when the ointment was poured on the head of Christ, and whilst Judas was fretting at it, that Satan took the opportunity of his choler and wrath, to stir him up to so vile an action. This account is prefaced to Christ’s washing the feet of his disciples, to show the great composure of mind Christ was in, though he knew what was doing; and his wonderful condescension in washing the feet of so vile a creature, into whose heart Satan had already put it to betray him; and also his care of, and love to the rest of the disciples, when Satan had got possession of one of them.

From: On Amazon / John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Oh, we should be very cautious if we are pretending to be saved when in fact we are not. Jesus made it clear He knew one of the disciples was not saved. The other disciples did not know Judas’ was a counterfeit. Satan is the father of lies and king of deception. When someone is not saved it is easy for Satan to use them as his tool. The Christian who knows the Word will not be easily deceived or discouraged by the defeats that occur along the way.

It is a dangerous thing to be a person like Judas.

John Gill states: In Mark 14:21 Jesus said, “It were good for that man if he had never been born!” Judas pretended to be a Christian; he played with sin; he put off salvation; and any person who does these things may end up wishing he or she had never been born. There are some mysteries surrounding Judas, but one thing is clear: Judas made a deliberate choice when he betrayed Christ. In John 6:66-71, Christ warned Judas and called him “a devil.” Peter thought Judas was saved, for he said, “We believe!” Jesus knew that Judas had never believed and therefore was not saved.

From: On Amazon / John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible