Passion Week – Betrayal

Jesus spent those last hours with His disciples teaching them and preparing them for what lay ahead.  As God, He knew exactly what was about to happen.  As a human, He knew the pain and confusion the coming events would cause His disciples.  What was about to happen was beyond anything that they had imagined, beginning with betrayal.

As the meal began, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me” (John 13:21b, NIV84).  The disciples immediately questioned who it might be, but Jesus knew.  He knew that Judas had already betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14 – 16).  He also knew that all the disciples would desert Him when He was arrested (Matthew 26:56b). Finally, He knew that Peter would deny Him three times before the sun came up (John 18:15 – 27).  These were the men He had chosen, the men He had traveled with and taught, the men who had seen His miracles, including His raising of Lazarus.  Yet, they were only men, simple, ordinary men. 

Betrayal is never easy, even when the betrayed One is the Son of God.  John tells us that Jesus was “troubled in spirit” (John 13:21a).  I don’t think He was troubled for Himself.  I believe His concern was for His disciples.  He knew the shame that would drive Judas to the hangman’s tree and would cause Peter to go “outside and weep bitterly” (Matthew 26:75b). He knew they would all regret their actions, but He also knew who would seek His forgiveness, which He would freely give.

We’ve probably all been betrayed by someone we trust and care about.  It’s painful, and often we can’t turn back the clock to restore the broken relationship.  We are hurt and disappointed, but I wonder if we ever stop to consider the betrayer’s afterthoughts. Did they regret their actions?  Were they ashamed?  Were they too embarrassed to ask for forgiveness?  I guess the more important question might be, “Are we willing to forgive, regardless of whether they ask?”  Jesus gave Judas ample opportunity to change his mind.  He also gently restored Peter to his place as a trusted colleague (John 21:15 – 19).  Perhaps it’s time we approach betrayal with a new perspective.

Read: John 13:21 – 38

Food for Thought:

• Have you betrayed anyone?  If so, isn’t it time that you seek forgiveness?

• Has someone betrayed you?  Have you forgiven them?  Have you told them that you forgave them?