Betrayal

So let's look at the story of Judas as told in the Gospels of the New Testament. As we know Judas was the guy that agreed with the Roman leaders to betray Jesus. Judas was the acting treasure for the disciples and was known to be a man of greed. So much that he wasn't totally trusted with the funds, as there were suspicions that he may have been dipping into the till, so to speak. We also know he betrayed Christ for a mere 30 pieces of silver, which at the time was the same price paid for a slave that had been gouged by a bull. So not only did Judas betray the Savior, but he belittled the Messiah and His worth by betraying Him for the price of a slave. But not the price of a good slave, but that of a defective slave. As we know Jesus was not defective in any way shape or form. Jesus was the only perfect person ever. BUT....Jesus was not the only one betrayed. Wouldn't you say Judas also betrayed his friends, the other disciples, and family and followers of Jesus? Judas had built relationships with these people as being one of Jesus disciples or more correctly stated one of the apostles. That great responsibility to believers then, was that an apostle was true to the Messiah from the heart.

So tell me this, have you ever been victim of an indirect betrayal? Like, say a friend that you had always held high respect for does something to someone else that just blows you away. You can't believe that this friend would do something like that and now your trust in this person has been tainted, even though what was done wasn't done directly to you. See sometimes when we are deceptive to others in an effort to satisfy our own desires, that deception could be as devestating as betrayal. For instance, you tell your parents that you are going to Johny's house and actually you are sneaking out to see your girlfriend. You think It's all good, because your parents really don't know who Johny is and you have your own cell phone so you can cover it. Uh-oh......for some reason Johny calls your house looking for you......the very same time that you are already suppose to be at Johny's! See you didn't tell Johny about it because you knew his Christian spirit wouldn't really approve. Do you see where this is going? Not only have you betrayed your parents and potentially ruined the trust they had in you, but you have just betrayed your friend in placing him in a position that makes his integrity questionable as well. Then comes that of your girlfriend and her family. If she didn't know, then you betrayed her in making her think that it was ok that you were with her, and if she did know then you inadvertantly betrayed her and her parents as you pulled her into this realm of deception. We haven't even started with what these actions do to the Messiah and all He has done for you. So you see, unless we really want to be like Judas, we really need to think through our actions and the effects they may have on others. We really need to make sure we think of everyone too! This very act of deception at it's early stages, is the same deception that fuels the betrayal in marital relationships when adultry comes into play. And similarly the people involved don't think of all that are going to be affected by their actions. As we know, Judas couldn't live with his betrayal and took his own life. Sadly to say some people today take the same action, but we have someone that loves us anyway, and forgives us anyway, and wants us to know that if we truly are sorry He will continue to make a way for us to spend eternity with Jesus the Messiah, our salvation and the living proof that one can overcome betrayal.

Keep it real, and keep it honest

Wayne