For those who know Jesus Christ
as Lord as Savior most of you know how Jesus responded to
one of his companions who followed him. Judas Iscariot was
supposedly in Jesus circle of friends while he was on earth.
Imagine, you are close friend
betrays you. In fact: with a brotherly kiss? Think of a time
when you were betrayed by someone you loved and wanted to
be all God wanted them to be. Think on how that betrayal felt?
As I think of this I know in my heart my reaction wouldn’t
have been as kind as Jesus’. The last words Judas probably
heard from Jesus Christ was: “Friend, you betray me
with a kiss?”
Jesus extended the last invitation
for Judas to join him in the kingdom of God. Can you imagine
the scene in your mind? Judas must have been stunned for a
second and then he gave way to the greed in his heart. Mammon
not our Lord.
Jesus gave us an example that
many do not talk about, he called Judas friend. In other words:
to me he said come to me for you are heavy laden, I will bring
satisfaction to your soul and life. But Judas chose not to
do this.
I have experienced a broken
heart over a friend through the years. It caused me great
suffering and finally I went to the Lord and cried out to
him and said, “Lord I forgive this act done against
me and Lord only you can fix this problem.” And right
there I laid it at my Savior’s feet to never pick up
what I knew only God could resolve.
Jesus is our great example
on the cross when he looked down not only on the present time,
but past and future. We all betrayed our Lord with unbelief,
unforgiveness, unholy acts, unholy living, lying, cheating,
stealing, robbing, unwholesome words, and sinning against
God knowing some truths.
Now I am really going to turn
the tables: “would you betray your Savior if it meant
you would have no more testing or trials in this life?”
In other words: your life would be free from any type of troubles.
Well here is what scripture
says:
“And the world passeth away, and
the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth
for ever.” I John 2:17
“For whom the Lord loveth
he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
Hebrews 12:6
Read all Hebrew 12:3-11. There
is nothing worth betraying our Savior. He is worthy of all
our love and praise and obedience.
As Jesus looked down from
the cross he said: “Then Jesus said: Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his
raiment, and cast lots.”
Luke 23:34
This was the ultimate betrayal
put on Jesus for many who knew he was Savior stood by in amazement
to see God’s Son give his life willingly for all humankind.
The next time you feel betrayed by a friend ask Jesus to give
you that same forgiving spirit and be set free from the worlds
way of reacting.
