Have you betrayed or been betrayed?

© 2017 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Have you ever been betrayed? It hurts doesn’t it? Rejection by a recipient of your loving care is grievous.

The Psalmist David describes such betrayal.

“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” (Psalms 41:9)

This might well have foreshadowed Christ’s own description of being betrayed by Judas Iscariot.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.” (John 13:16 18)

Here, Jesus had just finished washing His disciples’ feet. One of those, whose feet he had washed, was Judas Iscariot. In the minutes that followed, Jesus offered a noteworthy piece of bread to Judas. It was the sign that Judas was about to betray Him. Judas then departed into a dark night. Later, Jesus and his disciples retired to the Garden of Gethsemane for prayer. Jesus had just permitted His disciples to succumb to the sleep they’d been fighting.

“And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” (Matthew 26:47 50).

Jesus had been a friend to Judas. Though Jesus is omniscient, and thus not surprised, the pain of betrayal was real. Within hours, He hung on the cross of Calvary paying sin’s penalty for His people. Though Judas had remorse, it didn’t lead to repentance. Instead, he committed yet another heinous act.

“And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:5)

Has the risen Christ’s love captured your heart or have you betrayed Him with false love?

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