Scripture: 26 When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” 3 At that same time the leading priests and elders were meeting at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest, 4 plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. 5 “But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.” [Matthew 26:1-5 NLT]
I have seen firsthand the results of a betrayal. Two people built a company together and spent years building a dream. Clients put their trust in the company because of what both people brought to the table. Employees invested hours and hours into the company following two people they respected and in whom they believed. The company was very successful and both people were responsible for the success. Then something happened. One person began to believe they had a better way of doing things. They believed that they worked harder than the other person. They believed that they deserved more than they were getting. So that person began to plot secretly to leave, build his own company, and take clients and business with him. The other partner did not know, until one day the other person was gone along with clients, business, and employees. Betrayal wreaked havoc on the person left behind.
Betrayal leaves the betrayed person to pick up the pieces. There is hurt and hard feelings as well. It is not a good situation. No one longs to go through betrayal and most do everything they can do avoid being betrayed. We spend time building relationships of trust, mutual respect and love. The hope is that these strong relationships will help us to avoid betrayal. Our hope is that we will have relationships in our life that encourage us, strengthen us, and make us better. We invest in relationships with the hope of the relationship being mutually beneficial. Yet, betrayal still occurs occasionally. We have probably all experienced some level of betrayal in our life.
Be at peace! As we enter Holy Week know that you are not alone. At the very outset of Jesus’ last week of life people are plotting to betray him. In our Scripture for today we read about Jesus telling his disciples that in two days He would be betrayed and crucified. One of Jesus’ closest friends, one of his twelve disciples, would sell him for a few pieces of silver. Jesus knew the sting of betrayal. At the same time he was telling his disciples about his impending betrayal, the religious leaders are meeting secretly to plot how to get rid of Him. They want to capture him and kill him because he is a threat to them. Jesus knows about betrayal. Jesus also knows what his betrayal would mean for all of humanity. Jesus knew that his betrayal would set into motion his sacrifice for our sins. Jesus knew that from his betrayal something amazing would happen for all of humanity.
Today you may be reeling from the sting of betrayal. You may have been betrayed yesterday or 20 years ago, but the sting of betrayal is real. If you have experienced betrayal in your life, ask God to reveal how God is going to use that betrayal. God never wastes a hurt. God can and will use the hurt you have experienced to bless others. Just as Jesus blessed all of humanity through his betrayal, you can bless the people in your life through yours. Allow God to show you how he plans to heal you, use you, and bless others through your experience. With God you can turn betrayal into blessing … today.
Prayer: Holy God, you alone can take my hurt and make me whole. I give you my hurt from being betrayed and trust that you will turn it into blessing. Use me today to help others overcome the hurt of their betrayal. Through the power and presence of your Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.