So, after receiving the morsel of bread, Judas immediately went out.
And it was night. John 13:30
If I was an artist trying to paint scenes from the Gospel of John, I think there would be many I would want to paint in bright, joyful colors. These would include depictions of such happy events as the healing at the pool of Bethesda, Jesus giving sight to the blind man, or turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana. And of course, the resurrection would have to be painted in the brightest colors of yellow and white and bright green to indicate how full of joy and life it truly was, not just for Jesus alone, but for all who trust in Him by faith.
But then there are those other scenes in John that could only be painted in the darkest of hues, like the one we’ll be looking at this morning in John 13:21-30 where Judas abandons the joy of fellowship with Christ to disappear into the night of betrayal. Two verses in particular send a chill through my soul as I read them. The first is v 27 where we’re told that after Judas took the bread that Christ offered him in friendship, “Satan entered him.” I read that, and a chill wind sweeps across my heart as I try to reckon with what it must have meant for this man, a man made in God’s image – a sinner to be sure, but still a man like me – to fall so fully into the grip and power of Satan!
The other verse is v 30 where Judas turns and walks away from the warmth and love of Christ’s fellowship for the final time. John makes a point of emphasizing the fact that, as he went, “it was night.” He’s not just telling us what time of day it was. He’s giving us a window into the blackness that has taken hold of Judas’ soul as we watch him disappear into the dark. How else could you paint such a scene but in dreary colors of black and grey and dark angry red? Truly it meant as a warning to us! Leave the light of Christ behind, and there is nothing left but the darkness of satanic bondage to sin. Oh! May the Lord of Light rescue us from every path that would lead us into that night.
He is able to rescue all those who cling to Him by faith
Pastor S. Scott Lee