“Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve.” Luke 22:3
Once Satan entered Judas, he immediately set out to betray Jesus to the chief priests. (Luke 22:3-6). He made a deal for thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave. When he joined Jesus and the other disciples for the Passover meal, his plan was already set in motion. It would be mere hours until he would kiss Jesus in the Garden, the sign of his betrayal (Mark 14:44).
During the Passover dinner, Jesus said one at the table would betray Him (Mark 14:18). They all asked who it was. When John asked, Jesus replied, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it” (John 13:26). Was Judas close enough to hear this exchange? Did he understand what it meant when Jesus handed him the bread?
It seems he may have heard and understood. I wonder if it was a moment between them when Jesus was saying I know what you intend to do, and I will not hinder you. What Jesus did say was, “What you do, do quickly” (John 13:17).
John is the only one who recorded when Judas left the dinner. According to him, it happened between Jesus washing their feet and instituting the New Covenant. Jesus, with Judas filled with the devil, bowed down as a servant and washed his feet along with the other disciples. We could say that Jesus washed the feet of His enemy when he washed the feet of Satan via Judas’s body. His intent was to show us how to serve one another, but also, there is room to humble ourselves before our enemies, as well. Paul wrote in Romans 12:20-21, “Therefore, ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’” Jesus washing His enemy’s feet was the perfect picture of meekness. Jesus possessed the power and authority, but He humbly knelt down in gentleness of spirit and washed the feet of His enemy.
Some think Judas’s intention was to force Jesus to claim His earthly throne and victory in Jerusalem, setting Israel free from Roman rule. This might be part of it, but his angst opened a door for Satan to enter him, and we know his intent was to destroy the Lamb of God.
Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed “for this cup to pass” from Him. Yet, He continually said, “Your will not Mine be done” (Matthew 26:39-42). He continually surrendered His will to the Father’s. When He finished praying and rejoined the disciples, Judas and the crowd were arriving to arrest Him (Matthew 26:47; Mark 14:43; Luke 22:47; John 18:3).
Judas approached Jesus and “drew near to kiss Him” (Luke 22:47). “Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” (Luke 22:48). I wonder if Jesus called Judas by name to draw him back to himself and free him from Satan’s grasp. The event was set in motion with those who arrived with Judas. Was Jesus giving him a chance to repent?
He asked the question, then stood still and let Judas, whom Satan had entered, kiss Him. Jesus stood completely still after asking for this cup to pass from Him, and allowed Satan to kiss Him with Judas’s lips. The sign of betrayal came from the one who sought to dethrone Him from the beginning of time (Isaiah 14:12-14).
Jesus let Satan kiss Him in the garden, the spark that began the hours-long suffering and sacrifice of taking the sins of the world—your sins and mine—upon Himself. He suffered abuse of every kind. He was then nailed to the cross for hours until He breathed His last, and proclaimed, “It is finished” (John 19:30).
Jesus let Satan kiss Him in the garden.
“I am poured out like water. All my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; it is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me. A company of evildoers have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all of my bones. They look and stare at me. They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing” (Psalms 22:14-18 WEB).
Lord Jesus, I bow my head and heart in awe and full surrender for what You have done for me. I am so glad that Sunday is coming.