I am always struck by the presence of Judas. It's not his betrayal that gets me, someone had to do that. What catches my attention is how Jesus interacts with Judas. I'm not sure of how early in His ministry Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. I do know that by the Last Supper, Jesus indeed knew what Judas intended to do: "But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me." Luke 22:21 NLT. Similar verses are recorded in Matthew 26:21, Mark 14:18, and John 13:21. At the last supper, Jesus doesn't treat Judas with contempt. He doesn't yell at Judas and chase him away. Instead, Jesus washed his feet along with the rest of the disciples (John 13:1-17). He included Jesus in his last few precious moments with his closest companions before He suffers. Jesus warns Judas of the woe Judas will experience because of his betrayal (Luke 22:22). Judas is treated as a loved and respected friend. This is astonishing to me! I'm not sure I would do the same. My sorrow may cloud my love, but this is not how Jesus acted. In fact, if Jesus treated Judas poorly, then we could somehow justify Judas' betrayal. Knowing Judas would betray Him, Jesus washes his feet and eats Passover with him. The account of Judas, and how Jesus relates to him, gives depth and color to my understanding of God's love.
Ephesians 3:17b-17 NIV
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
