Love and Betrayal . . .
What drives someone to betray another? What’s in their heart? What trips their trigger? If you’re not familiar with the devastation of betrayal, this will not be relevant. Betrayal originates from someone you know, someone you trust, someone you care for and/or love, and finally, someone with whom you have an investment of your time and of your life.
Judas walked with Jesus for three years; his investment in Jesus triggered his high hopes that Jesus, as a political messiah, would satisfy his own ambitions. Notwithstanding, as treasurer, his practice to freely take what he wanted as often as he wanted, hardened his heart. The same goes for us – each and every time we sin and attempt to cover our sin, our hearts become hardened.
Mary’s extravagant display of love and devotion by pouring her costly spikenard over Jesus was a “waste” in the mind of Judas. To top it all off, Jesus saw the motive of her heart and openly rebuked Judas in front of all the other disciples, as well as the so-called elites. Judas may have said to himself, “This was done for His burial? The Cross?” Whoa! He may have remembered Jesus saying, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). Judas wanted no part of a cross! He became indignant and incensed as he brooded over a three year period of his life wasted in a hopeless cause – in his mind, how could a dead messiah rule?
Betrayal is a conspiracy and comes in many forms, yet it is an inescapable human experience. Perhaps a loved-one threw your love away for another; you’ve forgiven them, only for it to happen again, ambushing your emotions. Possibly, your kids got mixed up with the wrong crowd or settled for less than the best in a marriage, betraying themselves. Could it be you’re being disrespected and not honored as a mother or as a mother-in-law, leaving you to feel stranded and disregarded? What about that one you’ve held dear only to discover they used you, and then abruptly dismissed you?
Doubting and questioning yourselves only leaves you to wonder if you can ever trust again. It’s during these times that you discover what love is and what love isn’t. Do not give your power away – refuse to become who they are, allowing your sense of reality to be undermined. Forgive them – pray for those who mistreat you and despitefully use you. Over time, you will see them as God sees them. Love always wins!
Remember, a little over 2,000 years ago, the Lord Jesus paid our sin-debt in full and struggled to profoundly utter, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?
Will He keep putting them off?
I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly” (Luke 18:7).
