Now Judas, who betrayed Him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with His disciples.- John 18:2

October 6, 2008 Floyd Ray Gage

Being betrayed is a heart-wrenching thing to happen to anyone, but to someone who doesn’t deserve it, it is even more devastating. Jesus was no exception. He knew that Judas was going to betray Him. He allowed Judas to leave and do so, but that didn’t lessen the impact upon Jesus.

Jesus had spent three years with this man. He had loved this man even though He knew that Judas would ultimately betray Him. He had taught this man, even though He knew His teachings would not sink into that cold and stony heart.

Were there times that Jesus sat and ate with Judas and then had to get up and leave to weep, because He knew what Judas would ultimately do to Him? There had to be times that Jesus desired that there was some way other than outright stripping him of his free will to bring Judas to salvation and redemption.

Judas was Jesus�?friend and companion. He was there for every miracle. He heard every word of life. He saw every tear shed and watched every outreached hand of mercy and love. Still Judas was hardened and chose to betray the One who loved Him more than anyone else ever could or would.

Judas teaches us many things. First, he teaches us that Jesus knows what it is like to be betrayed by one that He loved. He understands when we are in anguish because someone has taken our trust and used it in ways that hurt us. He can also help us to forgive that person and move on, because He forgave Judas and went on to redeem mankind. Judas didn’t make it to heaven because he didn’t accept the love and forgiveness of Christ. I firmly believe that if Judas had gone to the foot of the cross and grabbed the bleeding feet of Jesus and asked for forgiveness, Jesus would have given it to him.. He chose instead to go to another tree and try to take matters into his own hands by hanging himself.

Jesus knows and is there with us when we are used and abused by someone we trusted. He can help us if we will trust Him and not try to take matters into our own hands and settle the debt.

Judas also teaches us that we will be betrayed at some point in our lives. I deal with parents and church members who have been betrayed. I deal with children who have been betrayed by the ones that are supposed to be the ones that protect them. Betrayal occurs because of sin and selfishness. We will suffer this at some point in our lives and more than likely we will betray someone in some way during our life.

Be prepared and don’t be surprised when betrayal comes. Don’t sink into revenge or into self-pity and stop living because of the betrayal. I know how deep this knife sinks into your heart. I know how desperately you want justice and to set the scales straight. God is the one who we must turn to and trust in these times of betrayal. He will work His perfect will and can keep us untainted by a sinful response if we will trust Him. He will take care of things and redeem the betrayer if they will let Him.

If you have betrayed someone, even if it is the Lord, ask God for forgiveness and then go ask the one that you betrayed for forgiveness as well. Betrayal doesn’t have to be the end, but it will take the power of Christ to set things right and help you move on in your life in trust to Him and rebuilding the confidence of those you have betrayed. Judas betrayed the Lord and himself. Let’s make a better choice than he did!