Have you ever felt betrayed?  It truly hurts.  It hurts more the closer the person is to you and the longer you have known them. I wonder what it must have been like for Jesus knowing ahead of time that Judas would betray Him. What was it like to wash his feet and share a meal with him at the last supper?  Let’s look at John’s account of the betrayal found in John 18.

 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

I wonder if it made it easier or harder that this was always a part of the plan?  When we experience the pain of betrayal it hurts because of our investment in the relationship with another person.  Have you ever thought that we do the same thing as Judas sometimes?  We also reject the way of Jesus at times for our own selfish desires.  New choose to do things our way instead of God’s.  We choose temporary pleasure instead of God’s best for our life.  Yet, in spite of that, God’s love and grace covers us.  We can never out sin the grace of God.  My prayer for all of us is that we would all grow in grace and live lives more and more that look like the life of Jesus!

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave