Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. – John 13:25-27
It’s an extremely awkward moment at the table. Jesus is sitting with His disciples, sharing a meal, knowing exactly what’s about to happen. Then He does something very personal—He takes a piece of bread and hands it to Judas Iscariot.
And Judas takes it.
No one forces him. Jesus doesn’t stop him. The other disciples don’t understand what’s going on. Judas simply reaches out his hand and receives the bread. At the same time, we’re told that Satan entered into him, and Jesus tells him, “What you’re about to do, do quickly.” This kinda feels confusing at first. Is this something God planned, or is this something Judas chose?
In simple terms, it’s both.
God wasn’t surprised by any of this. This moment was part of a bigger plan that would lead to the cross and, ultimately, to our salvation. Even in this dark moment, God was still in control.
But that doesn’t mean Judas had no choice. He’d been moving in this direction for a while, his heart had been drifting. And when the moment came, he acted on what was already inside him.
He took the bread willingly.
That’s where this becomes personal to us. Because we also live in that same place where God is in control, and yet our choices are real and meaningful. We’re not forced into obedience, and we’re not forced into sin. We choose, day by day, which direction we will go.
What makes this moment so sobering is that Judas was close to Jesus. He sat at the same table. He heard the same teaching. He saw the same miracles. And still, his heart turned away. It’s possible to be near Jesus and yet not fully surrendered to Him.
So… this passage invites us to slow down and look inward. Where’s my heart today? Am I quietly resisting God in some area? Am I holding onto something I know I need to let go of or refuse to be a part of?
The good news is that we’re not locked into the path Judas chose. We still have time to turn. Jesus still extends grace, even knowing our hearts completely. So today, choose Him. In the small decisions… in the quiet moments… in the places no one else sees.
Don’t just sit at the table with Jesus—surrender to Him.
Former Blackout Artist 