When an enemy is discovered in the camp, it is usually the result of a well disguised, well orchestrated infiltration. Undercover agents will often go to great lengths to look the part and win the confidence of a drug gang in order to make a bust.
Jesus had an enemy in the ranks of His disciples, but a far different operation was at work. Though he would be used by Satan, ultimately this enemy was placed by God in pursuit of His mission of salvation. In fact, this enemy was the subject of Old Testament prophecy in a psalm written by David. “Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Ps. 41:9).
Now the greater Son of David, the Messiah who was to come, takes up these words in respect to His betrayer. “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me’” (John 13:18).
Jesus knew full well the identity of this enemy, an instrument of the evil one who would lift up his heel to do battle (Gen. 3:15). This enemy would not be an infiltrator, however. Rather, he would be an instrument of the demonic foe with whom Jesus had come to wage spiritual war.
Before Jesus would identify the disciple in question, He wants the rest (and us) to understand that his presence was neither unforeseen nor unexpected. It was all part of the outworking of God’s saving plan and served as part of the tapestry for John writing his Gospel.
Jesus wants us to know that when the betrayer does act it comes as no surprise and actually serves the mission at hand. “Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He” (John 13:19).
John tells us that he writes so “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31). Knowledge of His betrayal is but another indication of Jesus as “I AM,” God incarnate to save.
As Jesus prepares for His betrayal and that by one closest to Him, He was not caught unawares. Rather, He was submitting Himself to will of the Father. So that the message to go forth is not diminished, tainted, or suspect in any way. There was no mission salvaged from failure. Jesus was not duped at the prospect of an enemy in the camp. It cannot be said that a point was scored for Satan.
When John writes his Gospel account, when the disciples carry forth the message of salvation, when the followers of Jesus through the ages spread the word, it is nothing less than the old, old story of the reconciling power of the gospel (John 13:20), to be embraced by faith.
How could it seem that Satan has the upper hand through the betrayal of Jesus?
