“Have You Sold Jesus Out!”
John 13:18-30

INTRO:
There was a man who was invited to a costume party. He went to the costume shop in his town and after looking around decided to rent a devil costume, a big red outfit with the tail and the horns and the pitchfork, the whole thing. Later all dressed up, he was walking on his way to the party when a violent thunderstorm broke out. Most of the shops were closed so the closest place he could duck into for shelter was a little church with the lights on because they having a revival.

That storm was hitting the church building really hard, the man ran into the church, and when people saw him they panicked. People started screaming shouting and pushing to get out the doors front and back, doing everything they could to get out of that building as fast as possible.

Except for one old guy whose trousers were caught on a pew and he couldn’t get out. The building clears out, there was thunder and lightning, and this one old man left with the man in the devil’s costume. The old fellow looks at the man and says, “Now, devil, I’ve been coming to this church for 25 years, but I want you to know that I’ve been on your side the whole time.”

Even though he moved among Jesus’ disciples, the man were going to look at today was on the devil’s side for a long time. That’s why he made a bargain, which was as hard as his heart.

What kind of man would bargain for Jesus? The man were going to talk about today is Judas. I want to take a look at what we know about him and if possible bring this to life a little bit. He’s not a pleasant person to study, yet he gets a lot of attention in the gospels. We need to ask ourselves why is that?

I personally don’t believe that anybody suddenly becomes influenced. I want to spend a little time this evening to look at some background on Judas. I don’t believe that Judas was ever a second-class disciple.

I. Remember he was chosen by Jesus to be numbered among the twelve after Jesus spent a full night in prayer. Judas was treated the same as, and he was taught just the same as all of the other disciples, and he was sent out by Christ to minister with the same apostolic authority. We find him mentioned by name for the first time in Matthew chapter 10 where the 12 are listed.
A. We read in Luke 9:1-2 – “1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
B. Yes! Judas went out in the name of Jesus and healed the sick. Can you imagine that? Imagine looking back years later and realize that your baby is alive because Judas healed him. Yes! Judas went out in the name of Jesus and cast demons out of people. Yes, Judas went out and preached the good news of the kingdom of heaven to the multitudes. Judas was just as much a disciple as the others.
C. In fact, I think a lot of our portrayals of Judas are way off the mark. Every picture I’ve ever seen, an artist’s portrayal of the disciples, always has Judas way off in the corner. He’s always a skinny looking guy. Kind of small and thin, he’s always got dark hair and a goatee. He’s always a sinister looking guy and when you take one look at the picture you can easily say, “That guy is Judas.”
D. That is how he is pictured by artists, but how do we know that he wasn’t a big guy, with a big smile on his face, how do we know that Judas didn’t have the heartiest laugh of any of the disciples? We don’t because scripture does not give us a physical description.
E. This man was one of the twelve. For some reason Judas was selected to take care of the funds for the disciples and Jesus. I think Judas may have been just as passionate in the beginning as the rest of them. He might have been a nationalist just like Peter and John and Simon, thinking Jesus was going to launch the political liberation of Israel, and he was on the ground floor to make it happen.
1. Those that care to speculate think that perhaps sooner than the others, Judas was the one who realized that Jesus wasn’t willing to be the earthly king he wanted Him to be. Judas may have become disillusioned.
2. In their speculation they think that for Judas the real turning point begins in John 6. Jesus feeds the multitude and the Bible says in John 6:15 – “Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king”. Those who thought the prophecy was for an earthly king probably thought this was a good time to start the liberation of Israel.
3. What Israel failed to grasp was the earthly monarchy of the Hebrews was their project, not God's; and, although God accommodated himself to it, it was never his will. 1 Samuel 8:7 – “And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign (be king) over them” Ironically, that same obsession for their earthly kingdom was what blinded their eyes to the Messiah when he came.
F. Jesus withdrew from the multitude. When they came to find Him the next day, He preached one of the fieriest sermons He ever preached. He says in John 6:26 – “Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” Jesus goes on to tell them to work, not for food that perishes, but that which abides to eternal life. He explains what the true work of God is what they are to do. They inferred that Moses gave their fathers mana in the wilderness which Jesus corrects and says it was not Moses but God that gave them mana.
G. Jesus then tells them He is the bread of Heaven. After He says these things we read in John 6:66 – “66 From that [time] many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
H. In John 6:67 we find Jesus asking “67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" In verses 68-69 Peter’s answer “68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 "Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." When people started to turn away, having lost hope that this Jesus was the Messiah they envisioned, those who like to speculate think that in Judas’ mind, He blew it.
II. That’s when Jesus said something very interesting that He hadn’t said yet. In John 6:70-71. After the people had started to walk away, Jesus said, “70 Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?" 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.”
A. We need to be very careful what we infer from scripture. We are not told when Judas heart became hardened, when he became material for Satan to start working on. All we know for certain is what scripture says. You can see how in our desire to understand something we can “fill in the blanks”.
B. From John 6:70-71 though, we know that Judas will be the one who will betray Jesus.
III. When we get toward the last week of Jesus’ life, He’s anointed at Bethany by Mary. Who opens a bottle perfume, very costly we are told. Mary pours it on Jesus feet. The Bible says in John 12:4-6 - “But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], who would betray Him, said, 5 "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.”[NKJV]
A. Ah, now we find out something else about Judas. Judas had become a thief withdrawing from the groups funds for his own purposes.
B. We see that Judas was upset with the use of costly oil to anoint his master. And Jesus answers him. John 12:7-8 – “"Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
C. Let us look at this in Matthew 26. It’s the same story, its right after the anointing at Bethany. It says in Matthew 26:14-16 – “14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.”
D. I have wondered why they needed Judas. Anyway they had him now, their “man on the inside” so to speak. Satan has his opportune time to come back and attack Jesus. I think by this point Judas is the disciple of Satan, so he makes his deal.
IV. We shift now to a few days later and we go to the upper room. All the disciples are gathered together to have a Passover meal. John 13:2 says something very interesting. “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him,”
A. You have to wonder was the blood money in his pocket that night? Were the 30 silver coins in his pocket when he sat down to have supper with Jesus? Something else I think about is this, what was going on in the minds of both men when Jesus washed the feet of Judas? Judas knew what he said he was going to do and Jesus knew he was going to do it.
B. What were both Judas and Jesus thinking when Jesus washed his feet? I think the Lord was about to make one last appeal to His deserting disciple. Let’s go inside that room and see what happened at the Supper because it was a real battle.
V. Starting in John 13:18-30, I will paraphrase. Jesus says, “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfil the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
A. “His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon.”
B. “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 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. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.”
C. Notice 3 things in this text. Jesus make a prediction... gives an answer... and a command.
1. The prediction, He said, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me”. Imagine how that would have affected Judas when Jesus said that. Imagine the shock he had and the effort to try and keep from registering it on his face.
2. This text makes us face the sovereignty of God and the freewill of men. Jesus predicted His betrayal, but predicted doesn’t mean predestined. In other words, Jesus’ awareness of Judas’ betrayal doesn’t excuse Judas from responsibility for his actions.
3. God does not design treachery but God can design treachery in His plan. God doesn’t make men do evil but God can use evil men. Later Judas’ remorse is evidence that betrayal was his choice. He did not have to betray Jesus, but God used that betrayal for His purpose.
4. The reason Jesus made the prediction was to let the other disciples know that He was in control. The situation wasn’t out of hand. He said in John 13:19 "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.”
5. Later they were going to reflect, they were going to look back on that night, and they were going realize that, Jesus saw this coming, it was all part of a plan, He knew what was about to happen. They were going to realize He really is the Son of God, He really is in control, He really is the Lord. That’s why Jesus made that prediction.
6. Right now they can’t think about that. All they can think about is, “Who! Who would betray Jesus?” Peter motions to John and says, “John find out! Who is it?” I think the disciples amazing lack of suspicion about Judas tells a couple of things.
i. I suspect it tells us that Judas hid his dishonesty very well. You can be a betrayer of Christ and other people will never know it.
ii. Jesus must have treated Judas as well as any of the other disciples. If they had seen over the years that Jesus had a problem with Judas, they would have suspected Judas, but they didn’t. Because there was nothing about the way Jesus loved Judas that gave them any hint that Judas would sell his Lord.
7. Here’s the next question. Why do you think Peter wants to know? Ah, Peter, I imagine it was because Peter wanted to take preventative action. Peter’s got a sword. All he needs to know is who in this room would sell out Jesus. Lifting one finger Jesus could have saved His life and ended Judas’ just like that. Jesus didn’t do that. Instead He gave an answer that only Judas could respond to. He said in John 13:26 “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish."
8. We might ask, why didn’t they figure it out then? Well, because in that culture it was the custom for the host to honor a special guest by giving him a morsel from his hand. Let’s look into that room for a second and see it more like it was.
9. If you have ever seen a copy of Leonardo da Vinci famous portrait of ‘The Last Supper’, it’s a magnificent work, but it’s so wrong. They didn’t sit at a long table, in chairs, with a white tablecloth. Passover was eaten lying on the floor.
i. They would have had a low table, with the host up at the front, in the very middle. There was someone on the right in a special place of honor, and someone on the left in a special place of honor. Everybody else would be down the sides. They would lie down on their left elbow and eat with their right hand.
ii. That’s why the Bible said in John 13:25 that “John was up against the breast of Jesus.” He didn’t have bad table manners, John was right here, to the right of Jesus. Right up against His breast as they ate.
iii. Who would have been to the left of Jesus in that special place of honor? Somebody so close that Jesus could take a piece of bread and hand it to him. All that time the disciples thought that was happening, in fact we know later from Matthew that Jesus and Judas were able to have a very private conversation.
iv. Because it says in Matthew 26:25 [para], “Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you." Then he took that piece of bread, He reached over, and He handed it over to him.” I believe Jesus was making a special appeal to Judas’ heart. He was holding that piece of bread looking right into his eyes.
10. Both men knew what He was saying, Judas I know it’s you, I know what you’re struggling with, I know what you’re thinking about doing to me, Judas can you go through with it? Can you turn on me like that? Can you sell me out?
11. The Bible says, “Judas took that morsel and when he did, Satan entered His heart.” The decision was made. Jesus was knocking at the door of his heart and Judas threw open the door and told Jesus to stay outside and he invited Satan in. Just like in Gethsemane when Jesus made His decision and the angels came to give Him strength. Judas made his decision and the dark angel showed up and took hold of him.
12. Then in that moment Jesus knew that He had lost him. He gave a command, He said in John 13:27, “What you are about to do, do quickly." I suppose you could say this was the only time in the Bible God and Satan gave a man the same command.
VI. Do you know what John says? John says in verse 30 – “Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.” It’s always dark when you sell out Jesus. Let me tell you the problem with preaching on Judas. Over the centuries he has been so despised that we can’t relate to him like the disciples did.
A. The question they asked when Jesus said, “One of you is going to betray me” is “Is it I? Could it be me?” I think that’s the question we should ask of ourselves because if we look deep into our hearts we will admit that there have been times in our lives when we have made some hard bargains for Jesus.
B. Think about it! Judas sold out Jesus for 30 pitiful pieces of silver but at times have we sold Jesus out for less than that?
C. Perhaps a time at work when someone starts a filthy joke and we think looking different is not what we want to do right then. Perhaps we stayed there and listened to the joke and we sold out Jesus for a couple of minutes of thinking “I’m cool with my coworkers”.
D. Isn’t that just as hard a bargain? One of our friends says something that is absolutely blasphemous towards God and part of us wants to jump up and defend God but part of us says, “I don’t want my friends to think I’m a weirdo”, so we keep our mouth shut. Didn’t we just sell out Jesus for a lot less than 30 pieces of silver?
E. Or maybe we find ourselves in a place we shouldn’t be and for a couple of hours of physical pleasure we traded Jesus. Maybe we’re late for an appointment and we know we ought to tell the truth, “Sorry I was irresponsible, I should have been here no matter what.” Instead we say, “Oh man, the traffic was so bad, sorry I just couldn’t get here on time.”
F. For a few seconds of pride, we told Jesus to leave the room. Folks, we do it all the time for a lot less than 30 pieces of silver. Everyday Satan comes into our life and says, “Would you make a trade for Jesus today? What could I give you today for Jesus that would be a good deal?”
VII. Perhaps it is time to tell Satan we don’t want to be on his side anymore. Let’s look at 3 quick things we can do to hold our ground against the tempter.
A. First realize that Satan is willing to take time to enter our heart. His patience finally paid off with Judas. Have you noticed in your own life a gradual but increasing apathy for spiritual things? Could you say right now, “My passion for Jesus is not as intense as it was in the past”?
1. What Satan is doing, is taking his time with you. Whispering in your ear all the while, waiting for the moment he can get you to sell out. Nobody else knows it, nobody here can tell.
2. Maybe you’re here today just like you’ve always been every Sunday evening for the last so many years. Nobody here can tell but Satan knows that your passion for Jesus isn’t what it used to be. The door is getting more and more open and he’ll wait for the moment to come and then he’ll walk right in.
3. Folks, we need to understand, Satan is patient, and he’ll take time to enter your heart. Today is the day to say, “Stop trespassing at my house, I don’t want you on my property anymore.”
B. Second we need to sensitize ourselves to recognize those situations where we’re most tempted to bargain for Christ. Stay away from them. It could be dishonesty, it could be addiction, it could be pornography, it could be lust, it could be bad temper, or it could be greed. I don’t know what it is but everybody’s got weaknesses and Satan knows what they are, and he knows how to fulfill them.
1. Whatever it is we would trade for Jesus, Satan’s got a bunch of it. He’ll make sure we see a chance to get it. That’s why the Bible says, we’ve got to pray everyday, “Father deliver us from evil, lead us not into temptation.” The 1st step to strength is to confess our weakness to Christ.
C. The 3rd thing we’ve got to do. We’ve got to revitalize our heart through daily communion with Jesus. Listen close to what I’m about to say, folks. Most of us do not suddenly kick Jesus out of our hearts. Over time we simply stop inviting Him in, and Jesus will not stay where He’s ignored. Who will it be, folks? Who’s going to live in your heart?”

CONCLUSION:
There was a pediatric nurse who wrote an article in a hospital magazine. She wrote about what she would often do with little children when she was checking on them. She would put the stethoscope in their ears and place it over their heart and let them listen. She had a little 4-year-old boy named David, she put it over his chest, and he heard that, “Thump, thump, thump.” She said, “David do you know what that sound is?” Little David paused for a moment and said, “Is that Jesus knocking?

Maybe it is, if you’ll listen close this evening, Jesus is knocking. The best way to keep Satan out of your heart is to keep inviting Jesus into your heart. Let’s do that right now with our invitation song, “Who At My Door Is Standing?”

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We learn from the New Testament how to be saved. We need to hear the word; believe in Jesus; repent of our sins; we must confess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God; and be baptized for the remission of our sins... If we follow these steps, the Lord adds us to His church.
Perhaps there is someone in the assembly today with the need to be buried with Christ in baptism. If you have never done these things, we urge you to do so today. If anyone has this need or desires the prayers of faithful Christians on their behalf, we encourage them to come forward while we stand and sing.

# 614 “Who at My Door Is Standing?”

Reference Sermon
Mike Glover