If there’s a name that is synonymous with betrayal, it’s Judas Iscariot. Look up “Judas” online and you’ll find top 10 lists of betrayal. His name is synonymous with Brutus and Benedict Arnold, yet somehow worse. There’s a few reasons for this infamy, including that the story is retold every year in churches around Easter.
The main reason for our disgust is because to experience betrayal is one of the worst moments someone can face. When traitors come to their senses, they are wracked with shame. It’s likely that you have been betrayed or have betrayed someone else in your life.
When anyone of any belief reads of the betrayal of Jesus, they grow angry, point their finger, and say “this is wrong!” Or they sigh because they’ve read something in the story that stirs up a regret in their thoughts. My hope today is to bring you hope, no matter which side of the fence you’ve been on.
To experience intentional betrayal is to find yourself feeling what Jesus did. Judas’ betrayal was a pre-meditated act of grievous harm against a close friend. It brought in multiple parties for a humiliating price. Other than Jesus, no one saw it coming, and it was committed against an innocent person. Worst of all, there was no ability to make things right afterward.
I wrote this column in hope that some of you would relate, and from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry for what happened. Please seek any help you need to recover from this but in this short format, I want to tell you: Just as you understand Jesus’ emotions, the God of the Bible, who experienced betrayal, understands you. Jesus experienced all of our suffering. That means that he can understand our betrayal keenly and compassionately. In your dark moments when you feel like no one understands you, I want to tell you that at least one does: Jesus, who was not defeated by death, rose again, and is available to you now.
If you have betrayed someone, I believe if you’re still reading this that you are aware of what you’ve done, which the Bible calls sin. But Judas was not the only traitor the night of Jesus’ death. All of his main friends were. Peter turned to violence and outright denial. All of the friends of Jesus ran away. Not only did he give each one forgiveness after his resurrection, but he wants all to run to him.
In the middle of this betrayal, Jesus breaks bread and pours out wine, saying “this is my body and my blood, the start of a new covenant, given for you.” In the middle of one of the greatest betrayals of humankind, Jesus offered forgiveness to those who would run to him. It’s written down because it’s offered to you too. Don’t despair like Judas but repent like Peter. You’ll find that God’s mercy is extended to you too.
