Someone on substack asked me whether Jesus manipulated Judas to betray him.

No manipulation. Understanding.

Because Judas already decided his course.

Disillusioned when he realized Jesus wasn't establishing an earthly kingdom through force.

'What you are about to do, do quickly' wasn't manipulation. It was acknowledgment.

Jesus didn't interfere with Judas's free will, even when that choice would cause suffering.

And that act reveals something profound about divine nature:

it honors human freedom even when those choices bring pain.

Jesus saw the betrayal coming long before that night.

He could have prevented it countless ways, but chose to work through it rather than against it.

The true marvel isn't that Jesus predicted the betrayal, but that he continued loving the betrayer while fully knowing what was in his heart.