The Betrayer At The Table
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Pondering the reason for Judas as a disciple in Jesus' inner circle.
Text: Luke 22:21-23
Date: 08/10/2025, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 205
Description:
Immediately after the loving and tender fellowship of the institution of the Lord's Supper, the scene in the upper room turns dark as Jesus reveals to His disciples that one of them will betray Him. After noting the satanic origin of Judas' reprehensible and hypocritical behavior, we will wonder why Jesus seems to warn Judas of the consequences of his nefarious plan. We will marvel at the blindness of the rest of the disciples as they question each other about who the betrayer might be-- when Judas is the most obvious suspect. Ultimately we will ask the question, "Why Judas?" In other words, why did God allow satan to plant one of his agents in the very midst of Jesus' inner-circle? Consequently, we will analyze his presence as a warning to the church and all Christians to monitor those at our table both within the church and without, both within ourselves and without-- to make sure we are aware of the inevitability of the betrayer at the table!
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 22:21-23.
A. Context, Luke 22:3.
B. The betrayal revealed.
1. Evil at the table, vs. 21.
a. Setting the scene.
i. Determining the timing.
1) In Matthew and Mark, John 13:30.
2) In Luke alone.
ii. The scene in the room, 1Cor. 11:27-29.
b. The "hand" of the betrayer.
i. An emphatic turnaround, Gen. 4:7.
ii. The "hand".
1) In a literal sense, Matt. 26:23.
2) In a figurative sense, Zech. 14:13; 2Sam. 18:28; Luke 20:19.
iii. The betrayal.
1) The intimacy of "the table", 2Sam. 9:13.
2) The evil of the betrayal.
3) The hypocrisy of the betrayer, Psa. 41:9.
4) A personal sorrow for Jesus.
2. The chilling warning, vs. 22.
a. The reality of the scope of the betrayal.
i. The significance of "Son of Man".
ii. Probing Judas' blindspot.
1) A satanic blindspot, John 8:44.
2) A satanic hatred of the truth, John 8:43,45, 13:27, 15:18; Luke 21:17.
3) No fear of the Lord, Prov. 1:7; James 2:19.
b. God's sovereignty of intention.
i. The eternal decree, Mark 14:21; Isa. 53:4; 2Pet. 1:21; Acts 2:23; Luke 18:31-33.
ii. A great irony.
c. The chilling warning.
i. A poignant, "woe", Rev. 12:12; Luke 10:13-14, 11:52, 21:23.
ii. Why the warning?
1) To instigate the betrayal.
2) Revealing the compassionate heart of Christ.
a) A love that transcends betrayal.
b) The perfect love of perfect sovereignty.
c) God's sovereignty and man's responsibility.
3. The shocked reaction, vs. 23, Matt. 26:25.
a. Reacting to a "bombshell".
b. Their blindness concerning Judas, John 13:27-29.
c. A symbol of deception, 2Cor. 11:14-15; Ezek. 28:12,14,15.
III. Application
A. So "Why Judas?"
1. To warn the church.
2. To warn Christians.
3. The betrayer within.
4. Ambassadors of Christ's love, John 13:35.
IV. Conclusion
