August 13
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JESUS CONFIDES TO THE DISCIPLE WHOM HE LOVED
21 When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” 22 The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking. 23 There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” 25 He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So, when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After the morsel, Satan then entered into him. Therefore, Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29 For some were supposing, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, “Buy the things we have need of for the feast”; or else, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So after receiving the morsel he went out immediately; and it was night.
– John 13:21-30
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In this account, Jesus was having his last supper with his disciples. Since He was also God, He knew exactly the hour when He was going to be betrayed and who was going to betray Him. The disciples on the other hand didn’t know among them was the traitor. John referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. In verse 23, we have a picture of that special love that Jesus had for John. He was reclining on Jesus’ bosom. It was at this point when Simon Peter, used John’s closeness to Jesus to find out who the traitor was and true enough, on verse 26, Jesus gave John an answer to his question. He said that the one who will dip the morsel is the one who will betray him. Not long after Jesus said it to John, Judas Iscariot was possessed by Satan. It is interesting that Jesus told Judas to do quickly what he was about to do. Meanwhile, all the other disciples were still wondering who among them would do such a terrible disloyalty to their Master. They had no clue that Jesus already confided to John who the traitor was.
What a picture of love between Jesus and John! Because of His love for John, Jesus confided in his beloved disciple who the traitor would be. Wouldn’t we also have such honor if we get very close to Jesus? Wouldn’t it be a privilege to be Jesus’ confidant?
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REFLECTION
• What are the benefits of being a disciple whom Jesus loves?