THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL

 

April 11, 2025

 

This Week’s Theme:

Seeing with God’s Eyes

Learning to see the world as God does 

and living in hope, renewal, and restoration.

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John 13:16-30

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’ “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus shared a meal with His closest followers. During this intimate gathering, He made a shocking statement: “One of you is going to betray me.” The disciples were stunned and confused, wondering who it could be.

Jesus then quietly identified Judas as the betrayer by handing him a piece of bread, an act that showed both love and sorrow. I want us to notice that instead of lashing out or condemning Judas, Jesus continued to include him at the table, offering grace even in the face of impending betrayal.

I believe, this moment shows the depth of Jesus’ love, a love that extends even to those who hurt Him. Let me ask, have you ever felt betrayed by someone close to you? If so, you know that it can be a painful heartbreaking experience. I believe Jesus felt the depth and sorrow of Judas betrayal, that says to me that Jesus knows the hurt and sadness of betrayal in our lives. How did you respond when you realized you had been betrayed?

Jesus actions in our Gospel today, challenges us to reflect on how we respond to betrayal. Can we show grace, even when it’s difficult. Take a moment to think about how you’ve responded in such circumstances.

Is there someone in your life who has hurt or betrayed you? Maybe it’s a friend, family member, or coworker. Have you closed off your heart, or have you allowed room for grace and forgiveness? This doesn’t mean ignoring the hurt, but it does mean trusting God to guide your heart toward healing and reconciliation even in the face of brokenness.

This is not easy stuff, is it? Take time today to reflect on the depth of Jesus’ love, a love that extends even to His betrayer, and ask Him to help you extend that same love to others. Ask God to help you respond as Jesus did, with love. Trust that, through His grace, you can find the strength to love even when it’s hard.