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John 13:27 – Don’t Do It!
Yes, yes, it was ridiculous. No, there isn’t a rational explanation. Again, yes, I knew the already historically determined outcome. And again, no, I didn’t think it would change; nor did I think my inward screaming could alter history
And yet I still screamed in my head, “Don’t do it!”
And yet I still dreaded seeing the inevitable because real. It is like seeing someone fall, and screaming for help…all the while knowing that you are powerless to help. Powerless to change the outcome.
One day, while reading to my children, I read about Judas’ betrayal of Jesus – of a friend by a friend (John 13:18; Psalm 41:9). Betrayal— none, no one, not even Jesus, have escaped that same penetrating loneliness. How alone both the betrayer…and the one betrayed must feel.
I mentally shouted as Judas left the upper room, “Don’t do it.” Silly, I know. And yet I cringed at his sin. I cringed at the suffering his sin would cause.
While history records massacres, catastrophes, starvations, and other horrifying events, no event matches the love and hate found on the cross. Mere words cannot reach into the fathomless depths of either that love or hate. No ocean, nor no mind, is deep enough to contain the explanation.
I do not believe that Judas hated Jesus. Otherwise, how could he later regret his actions so remorsefully (Matthew 27:3-5)? Personally I believe Judas’ motive was greed, mixed with naiveté. Maybe Judas thought Jesus could and would escape. After all, He was innocent. And more importantly, He was powerful!
No, the hate does not come from Judas. But we do see hate. How can persuade others to cry out “Crucify Him, Crucify Him” unless there is hate?
But the Sanhedrin were not the only hatemongers. There was one who incited them, as they incited others—Satan.
How Satan must hate God!
How God must love me!
Revulsion consumes my soul. This entire scene, from betrayal to the lingering suffering agonizes my mind.
My heart is pierced by his pierced hands and side. Shuddering and trembling overtake me when reading, yes, simply reading the words “there they crucified Him” (Luke 23:33).
Words so simple, so succinct. Yet so powerful. How can mere words, without the evocative benefit of speech, cause such inward shrinking from pain? Dear friends, those are not mere words. The crucifixion’s reality is as assuredly real as you and I. Jesus was crucified! Jesus was crucified for me! Jesus was crucified for you. Jesus was crucified for even Judas.
And yet, shame and delight grip me simultaneously; almost as paradoxically as the love and hate on that darkened day. As loudly as the rebellious, ignorant, and jealous rogues clamor “crucify Him, crucify Him” (Mark 15:13,14); I, the eternally grateful sinner, cry out, “my Lord and my God” (John 20:28).
It sounds selfish, but I am glad Judas did it. I need Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ demise. My flesh, imagining the torture of nails piercing through and securing a body to splintered wood shouts out, “Don’t do it.” My eternal spirit, fearing the torture of hell awaiting those not forgiven cannot quite utter, “thank you Judas;” but I can whisper, yes even shout and scream, “Thank you Jesus.”
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