Have you ever known someone that you felt was out to get you? I think everyone at some point had someone they called a friend that, as the old phrase states, “stabbed them in the back.” As we look at the events prior to the crucifixion we see Jesus eating with the enemy.
It is approaching the time of the Passover celebration for the Jews. This was a time of remembrance of when God delivered the Jews from the slavery to the Egyptians. Pharaoh would not release the Jews to go back to their homeland. God begins to bring plagues upon them, and the last one, the one that got Pharaoh’s attention, was the death of the firstborn. If a home did not have the blood of a lamb spread across the top of the door the first-born son would die. This caused all the Egyptians to want the Israelites to leave their land. Pharaoh agreed, and they were to leave. The Jews were free! Because of this liberation granted by God, the Israelites celebrated yearly the Passover even today. For a greater understanding read about the 10 plagues in the Bible from Exodus 7:14 to Exodus 12:36.
As the time was approaching for this meal, Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to secure a place for the meal he would share with his 12 disciples. This would be the last meal he would eat with them.
Luke 22:8 “And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat”
Luke 22:13 “And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.”
During the meal, Jesus reveals to them that the wine would represent His blood that would be shed for them, and the bread would represent his body that would be broken for them. In Luke 22:15, he plainly tells them that he is going to suffer, but they still did not comprehend what was about to happen.
Luke 22:14-16 “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire, I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
At the end of the meal, Jesus washes the disciple’s feet. He tells them that one of them that is with him will betray him. Each of them asks “is it I?” It wasn’t long until Judas left the group to begin his process of betraying Christ.
John 13:2-5 “And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that, he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”
While it is true Judas was tempted by Satan to betray Christ, he still had a choice. Satan can tempt any of us and he does, but it is up to us to give in or reject his temptation. Judas was Jesus enemy, but Jesus loved him, even though He knew what was about to happen.
We too are his enemy until we accept him as our Savior. He loves all of us, and it is not his desire that any should perish in Hell. Just like Judas, we can remain His enemy or we can accept Him and follow Him. Think about your friendship with Jesus. Are you a faithful friend or are you still His enemy?
