John 13: 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he [the beloved disciple] asked him, “Lord, who [will betray you]?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Do quickly what you are going to do.” … 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 11: 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For all who eat and drink without discerning the body eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. (NIV)
Great blessings can pose great dangers. Think of the incredible blessing of walking with Jesus for three years. Think of the honor of reclining next to Him (the place of honor) at His final meal with you. However we understand the idea that Judas was destined by the will of God to betray Jesus, it is clear that Jesus gave Judas special treatment that night. Jesus seemed to be trying to protect him, leaving Judas out of hearing range of a potential hothead named Simon Peter. But I believe Jesus is also giving Judas one last chance to save himself. Sadly, his embittered, greedy heart turned the opportune moment granted him, into his own suicidal death sentence. Satan entered into him, and it was, in every way, night.
Corinthian followers of Jesus had the great blessing of gathering in a home to share a meal, during which the holy sacrament(1) of the Lord’s Supper was taken. Unfortunately, some wealthy disciples brought their class hierarchical bigotry with them, letting their poorer sisters and brothers go hungry while they ate and some of whom got drunk! Failing to discern the nature of the body of Jesus in all of their sisters and brothers, they glibly took the bread of His body and the wine of His blood of the New Covenant. What they actually did was, “eat and drink judgment against themselves.” This taking the sacred as common had real-life consequences in causing the weakness, illness, and even death of many!(2) The blessing of the Lord’s Supper was also a potentially dangerous moment. It calls on all of us to engage in self-examination about our love for the least of those, His brothers and sisters, who may be right beside us.
Judas stands in a unique place in the story of Jesus, but, as we sit in an honored place at His Table (with Him, any place is honored), we have the freedom to stand firm with Jesus, or betray Him when tested. As did the Corinthian believers, we have, every week, a great, yet dangerous, blessing. The Lord’s Supper is a high and holy meal to be taken with joyful awe. Taking it as only bare command, or worse as a snack of cracker and juice, is dangerously trite and cavalier! This is not about being worthy, for none of us are. It is about being aware of the high moment and the manner in which we approach it. The grace of God, which saves us, allows us to confidently come to the Table as invited guests who fully and seriously embrace the blessing.
Tim Kelley
1) Sacrament, religious symbol… transmitted through material elements viewed as channels of divine grace. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/sacrament)
2) There is no bright line separating spiritual and physical realities here.