The story of Judas’ betrayal of the Lord Jesus is as familiar as it is haunting. Judas could not have done anything worse in his life than betray Jesus. When Jesus says that it would have been better for him not to have been born (Mark 14) we begin to see the implications of his action. It is the greatest act of evil to betray or attack the Most Holy. Considering the entire series of events is truly disturbing.
A particularly disturbing detail of Judas’s departure from the Passover table is the timing of it. While Jesus was revealing the Christological and eschatological importance of the Passover meal, Judas got up and left.
However, we know that shortly before, perhaps after the first cup of wine, at the beginning of the Passover feast, our Lord washed the disciples’ feet (John 13).
The disciples were arguing about their greatness while Jesus was showing them His greatness. Greatness always works. He is wearing the apron (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 5:5-6).
This service, this washing of the feet, included all the disciples, even Judas.
It is clear that the Lord Jesus knew what was happening with Judas (John 13:21-30). He knew that the terrible hours ahead would be triggered by one of the people closest to him. But, still, we see Jesus bowing down to all of his disciples, including Judas, and washing his feet.
Consider the intertwining drama. Judas is scheming how and when he will betray Jesus (Mark 14:11) while Jesus is washing his feet. The same hands that will soon be nailed are now bending down to serve and wash the feet of one of his enemies.
Soon after, Jesus would tell Judas to leave (John 13:27). And so he left. He went to betray Jesus and he did it with clean feet.
This is how apostasy often operates. People see the work of Christ in people’s lives, they hear the Word of Christ in the Scriptures, they even experience the benefits of Christ in the context of the community, and yet they turn their backs on Him (Hebrews 6:4-8 ). This is, and always has been, a painful disaster. The case of Judas is no different.
The entire scene engenders all kinds of emotions and reactions. I search my own heart as I marvel at the Savior’s. I know that if it were not for the grace of Christ I would run away from him and sell him for a few coins. Let us thank God for his irresistible, persevering and transforming grace that will not abandon those who are his (Jude 24-25).
Originally posted on . Translated by Raúl Cabán.