Night Fell Quickly

25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
John 13:25-30
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Night Fell Quickly
Judas reclines near Jesus, close enough to dip bread with Him, yet far from faith. This gesture was one of friendship and honor. Still, in that moment of love extended, Satan entered Judas. The darkness outside was nothing compared to the night falling within his soul. This is not simply a story of treachery, it is a warning, and more, a comfort. Christ does not cast Judas away, even as betrayal forms in his heart. He offers bread. He offers Himself. Here we see the cross already present: Jesus loving the unlovable, giving Himself into the hands of sinners. The night cannot stop Him. Judas leaves, and “it was night,” yet Christ walks toward Calvary. For us, too, the temptation to turn inward is real. But the cross shines through the darkness. Christ does not betray us. He is betrayed for us, so that forgiveness, not night, has the final word.