Conversations Around the Table

Write a sermon using John 13: 18-28 (Christian Standard Bible). Write from a conservative viewpoint. The sermon must consist of an introduction, 4 salient points with applications for today, and a conclusion. Use illustrations to convey theological truths. The four points are

1. One man had a secret (v. 21) -Judas

Judas was publicly known as a follower but at this table, we see he wasn’t what he professed. (see Like 22:1-6; he covenanted together to betray Jesus
In John 6 Jesus said hath not I chosen you twelve but one is a demon. So this begs the question why did Jesus choose him? Well John 13:18 answers the question- that scripture might be fulfilled (Psalm 41:9)

In v10 he says: (John 13:10 NRSV) “You are clean, though not all of you.” Then in v18 he says “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me. 19I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.” Its important for the disciples and for us to realize that even in this event, where one of those that hes chosen will betray him, Jesus is still Lord. He isnt taken unawares.
Look at v21. “After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, “Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.” Hes emotionally affected by the thought that Judas would betray him. The image of a person lifting their heel against another is a reference to the way a horse or a donkey might kick you when youre not looking. Its something thats vicious and done with cunning. And for one of his close friends, one whos shared bread with him, to do that hurts even more.
But he isnt taken by surprise by it or outwitted by it. In fact he tells them before it happens so that theyll know with even more certainty that he is the one: “that you may believe that I am he.” That is, that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

2. One man wanted to know the secret (v.24) -Peter

John lets us in to a small interaction between Peter, himself and Jesus. John happens to be lying next to Jesus at the table. In those days when there was an important celebration or feast, it was common for people to adopt the Greek custom of lying at table, leaning on one elbow with their face towards the table and eating with their free hand. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, is lying next to Jesus, with his back to him. So hes in the perfect position to ask a discrete question. Peter waves to him to ask Jesus who it is.

Why doesn’t Peter ask Jesus himself? Did he not feel he was close enough to Jesus to get the answer himself? The knowledge many of us have of Jesus is secondhand. Like Peter, many are dependent on the interpretation of Jesus based on the experiences of others. Many don’t want to spend time in His Presence. Many don’t want to study His word and allow the Holy Spirit to open up their understanding and reveal truths to their hearts.

Jesus answers by enacting the prophecy hes already quoted. He dips a piece of bread in the dish and hands it to Judas to eat. And were told this is the final straw. As soon as he took the bread Satan entered into him. Not that Satan wasnt hard at work already, but this seems to be the deciding moment.

Jesus is offering Judas a final opportunity to repent, a final gesture of affection. Judas receives the bread but not with love. Instead of softening him and turning him to repentance, it in fact hardens his heart. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. Its important to remember, by the way, that the way an act of kindness is received is dependent on the receiver, not necessarily the giver. There are times when no matter what we do a persons heart will remain hard. In fact, as we see here, even the greatest act of love can become the catalyst for a further hardening of heart. When you think about it, this is an amazing act of love and graciousness on Jesus part, yet for Judas it becomes the last straw.

Who knows what was going through his mind. Was he looking for a Saviour whod be strong in the face of betrayal? One whod rant and rave at him for conspiring against him. Did this final act of apparent weakness simply confirm what hed feared all along, that Jesus wasnt the one to oppose the Romans and bring them victory? Who knows? But what we do know is that at this point, the final victory of Satan over Judas life was complete. “As he took the bread Satan entered into him.”

3. One man found out the secret (v 23, 25) – John

4. One man knew the secret (Jesus)

The sermon must include hymns to convey salient points such Nothing Between My soul and My Savior

How many of us are harboring secrets as we gather around the communion table?
How many of us will leave this table and go right out into the night without our lives being changed? In fact, we’re bent on betraying the profession that we give witness to as gather around this communion table.
See how Jesus sent Judas forth with the other disciples to perform miracles. (Matthew 10:1)

Yet even here, notice, it isnt Satan whos in control. God is still orchestrating events, even in the face of rebellion. Jesus is still Lord. He turns again to Judas and says: “Do quickly what you are going to do.” Again, none of the disciples understand what this means, not even John. They think he must be talking about going shopping. But Judas does. So he goes out and John tells us It was night.

In those 3 words, John brings home to us the enormity of Judas decision. For the careful reader of Johns gospel, those 3 words ring loud bells. It was night. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not understood it or overcome it.” (1:5) “This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.” (3:19) “Jesus said to them, “The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you.” (John 12:35) As Judas walks out into the night, the darkness overtakes him.

But if this is the end for Judas, for Jesus its the culmination of all hes come for. He says, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.” The die is cast, the future is sealed. Its as though theres nothing else to do. From now on, everything is in Gods hand and so the future is assured. So Jesus begins again to explain whats about to happen. And again they dont understand. Simon Peter, though, is as enthusiastic as ever. “Ill lay down my life for you,” he says. But Jesus knows that Peter will fail. He knows that his enthusiasm wont be enough. In the end, Peter will be a disappointment as well. His failure wont be as bad or as final as that of Judas, but he will fail, nevertheless.

The conclusion must be powerful urging us to draw nearer to the Lord as believers and invitational as we call those to salvation.

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