July 8, 2018

What’s Your Price?

And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. – Luke 22:4-5

What would you do for the promise of money or power? Don’t deny that it would ever happen. Most people have a price, the amount of money or the level of prestige, that would cause them to betray those closest to them.

Judas had a price. It was 30 pieces of silver, roughly about $600. Looking back, we see that Judas betrayed the Messiah. We understand that it was planned from the beginning. God had made a way to reconcile us to Him. Judas’ actions fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.

But step back for a moment and consider this: Judas betrayed his friend. He handed Jesus over for money. He ignored the three years he had traveled with Jesus and sat at the table with Him. He shoved aside the miracles and the memories. He did it all for money.

So, let me ask you again: What’s your price? Who will you betray for a nice promotion at work? What will you take credit for to get a bonus? How many times will you tell yourself “it’s just business” as you do what you know you shouldn’t in order to elevate your worldly goods and status?

Maybe it’s more about money than position for you. Will you lie to bring in more money? Will you cheat someone? Will you take advantage of someone who trusts you? What’s your price? How much is your family worth? Your friends? Your coworkers?

Many years ago there was a big scandal involving the son of a famous actor. A “friend” sold her story to a television tabloid. She took advantage of his tragedy to put money in her own pocket and give her those 15 minutes of fame she craved. I wonder how much it cost her?

She and I had a mutual friend. He promptly ended the friendship. Who wants to be around someone you can’t trust? I don’t know if anyone else did the same but I suspect that they did. Yes, she got money and fleeting fame. But she lost a great deal too.

Do we ever count the cost? Did Judas understand what those 30 pieces of silver would cost him? He attempted to return the silver. He realized he had betrayed an innocent man and now that man, Jesus, would be crucified. Judas paid with his life, though we don’t know whether it was from hanging (Matthew 27:5) or from a fall (Luke says this in Acts 1:18). Shame for a betrayal that could never be undone.

We like to get lofty when talking about what we will or won’t do. We pretend all is well until the day comes and we are faced with a choice: Do what is right or do what will benefit you financially. The world is littered with people who did all they could to benefit themselves only to have their evil plans derailed. And the world is littered with their victims.

Satan knows each person’s sweet spot. He knows just what it will take to lead you down a path you thought you were above. Never get so cocky as to think he doesn’t know your price. And never get so arrogant to think you won’t fall to temptation. Everyone has a price. What’s yours?

April 6, 2018

Betrayal Hurts

Then one of the Twelve – the one called Judas Iscariot – went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

– Matthew 26:14-16

Can you imagine how much it hurt Jesus to be betrayed by someone so close to Him? Jesus knew Judas would ultimately sell Him to be murdered. That was why Jesus came, after all. But, still, it had to break His heart.

Jesus was fully God and fully human. He felt the same pain we feel when someone we trusted turns on us. And for what? Thirty pieces of silver. Was it really worth the cost?

On this side, we understand that it had to be. Jesus died so we who believe won’t have to face death and eternal separation from God. Death couldn’t hold Him and, because of Him, it can’t hold us. What a wonderful gift! What an awesome God!

But have we ever considered His pain? It’s difficult to accept that a co-worker would go behind your back and plot to destroy you. It’s hard when it’s someone you know, someone who claims to share your faith, someone you believed liked you. But when it’s someone close to you, well, that’s a whole different level of heartache.

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.” – John 13:21

He saw it coming. Jesus knew His friend, His disciple, a man who had spend three years by His side, was going to hand Him over to be crucified. He could have stopped it but He didn’t. Jesus loved us that much.

But do you think knowing the end result lessoned Jesus’ pain? John tells us Jesus was troubled. I would have wanted to stop it, to demand that my friend admit what he planned and change course. It sounds good but, honestly, someone who would plot against you, speak ill of you, isn’t likely to change course where there’s money and/or power involved.

There’s no way to completely guard against the evil that sometimes springs forth from hearts we thought we knew. To do so would leave us with hardened hearts, incapable of feeling anything. That’s surely not the answer. Maybe there is no answer.

The truth is that there will always be people masquerading as your friends who, in the end, will intentionally do you harm. There are people who call themselves family, either by blood or by law, that will turn on you, spreading lies and the ugliness that lives in their hearts.

Jesus gets it. He understands how deep the hurts goes. He feels your pain because He’s been there. And He knows that sometimes you don’t have any other choice but to continue on into the storm, seeing the betrayal that’s coming but being powerless to stop it.

I wish people would do different, don’t you? I wish everyone would end the games and just put on a cloak of honesty. But that’s not the real world. That’s not what some people are capable of doing.

We’re all flawed human beings, struggling to do the best we can while living in a fallen world. Those who intentionally seek to harm and destroy are inevitable. Keep your guard up and watch your heart. Don’t let the lies and deceit of others cause you to lose your way. Just cling tightly to Jesus and trust that He’ll be with you as you weather the inevitable storm.

February 14, 2018

Remember

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” And he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. – Matthew 26:48-49

Today is both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day. Fitting, don’t you think? The first is a day of repentance and sorrow and the second is a day to indulge in chocolate and flowers and perfume.

We get caught up in the commercial trappings, don’t we? It’s nice. Why not share a fancy dinner with someone you love? What’s wrong with a little indulgence to celebrate a relationship you cherish?

It’s all so wonderful – until it isn’t. Betrayal carries a high cost and becomes a burden that weighs us down, reminding us that the deadliest wounds come from those closest to our hearts.

Some churches conduct an Ash Wednesday service, placing ashes in the form of a cross on those who slowly make their way to the alter. A reminder of our sins, our sorrow and our repentance.

We struggle during the Lenten season, determined to make a sacrifice for Jesus. We give up candy or soda. We make vows and turn off Facebook or television. We remind ourselves daily – well, except for Sundays – of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

But do we really get it? Really? Deep inside where our hearts at times feel broken by human betrayal, do we really understand what God did for us? Can we comprehend a love that deep? Do we really grasp the sacrifice of Jesus’ death for the sins you and I have committed?

We are so filled with self-interest. We do good so we will be praised by the multitudes. We sacrifice so that others might see how good we are. We shout loudly all our great attributes.

And we depend totally on ourselves. We work hard. We pave our own way forward. We do all we can as though it depends on us. In our minds, it does. God is for emergencies and miracles. Not to worry. We’ve got the rest.

Except He has called us to a life of daily sacrifice. He draws us toward a life directed by Him, for His glory and not our own. It’s not about us. It’s never been about us. And no matter how hard we try or how loudly we proclaim our goodness, we will never get past the sin and anguish of brokenness deep within.

As you go through this season leading to the cross, remember the cost. Look in the mirror and see your guilt. Close your eyes and feel the sting of betrayal, your betrayal of Jesus Christ. Feel the nails as they penetrate His skin. Swelter under the sun’s heat. Hear the insults that draped a man who was never anything but good.

On this day, remember what you have done for a kiss and 30 silver coins. Kneel down in genuine repentance. Rise. Feel the grace and mercy and love as it engulfs you. Go, and sin no more.  

March 25, 2016

Betrayal Hurts

47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” -- Luke 22:47-48

Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? It hurts, doesn’t it? Jesus certainly knows about that.

Jesus wasn’t betrayed by a stranger. He wasn’t betrayed by a religious leader threatened by His popularity. Jesus was betrayed by a man who was part of His inner circle. He was betrayed by a friend.

What’s even worse is that Jesus -- knowing everything -- knew it was coming. He knew that Judas would betray Him yet Jesus didn’t cast Judas aside. Instead, Jesus waited until Judas chose to turn on Jesus.

We think we would never do that to Jesus -- but we do. All the time. We deny Him when we choose a different path rather than the path that leads us closer to Him. We betray Jesus when we harden our hearts against the poor, the hurting, the outcast.

Do you still think you wouldn’t betray Jesus? Consider Peter. He loved Jesus. Really. Truly. Yet Peter denied Jesus three times -- just as Jesus predicted that Peter would do. It’s hard to stand firm for Jesus when the court of public opinion ridicules you or threatens your way of life.

It’s also hard to be kind to those who betray you. We must. But it isn’t easy. Have you ever worked with someone who played people off of one another? It seems like every workplace has someone like that. They enjoy stirring things up.

It’s also hard to get past someone who betrays a confidence. We’ve all been on both sides of that grief. The truth is only God is trustworthy when it comes to keeping secrets. Our circle of friends who are truly trustworthy is really quite small. We’d all do well to remember that.

Another type of betrayal is when we expect support from those closest to us and instead they turn on us. A sweet friend just went through this and her heart is broken. She needed support from her sisters and instead they unfairly -- and wrongly -- judged her. Now she has the trauma of all that happened heaped on the betrayal that came with her sisters’ disapproval.

This is Good Friday. Jesus is betrayed and crucified. Betrayed in the most horrible of ways. The resurrection hasn’t yet arrived. Hope seems lost. And, yet, it is not. There is life after the betrayal. Thank you, Jesus.

October 12, 2014

Let Go of Betrayal's Sting

 

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.” -- John 13:21

^{We're all familiar with this passage of Scripture. It is the Last Supper. The time right before Judas betrays Jesus. It amazes me that Jesus could be kind, friendly even, with the one He knew would betray Him.
 
I know. I know. It's why Jesus came. And I realize that all of us have betrayed Jesus with our sins. But I look at Jesus as an example. I want to be that way and yet the sting of the knife in my back, the horror of dishonesty and lies, is like a heavy weight on my heart. How do I protect myself and still be kind, loving even, to those who have repeatedly show themselves to be my enemies?}

There is no such thing as protection from betrayal. Not unless we're willing to live an isolated life, free of love and laughter. We are meant for community. We could never truly be happy alone. And yet how do we deal with people who aren't safe for us? How do we show both kindness and distance from those who seek to harm us just because they can?

This is one of those juggling acts that I just don't have down yet. Sometimes I think I've got it under control, I'm prepared, and then it happens again. I am blindsided. I don't know who I'm angriest with: the betrayer or myself for letting down my guard.

At least Jesus knew what was coming. He could prepare Himself. Or could He? Can anyone ever really be prepared for betrayal, especially when it comes from someone close to us?

Maybe the key is that Jesus didn't do it alone. He didn't even attempt to walk the path alone. God the Father was right there, providing strength and wisdom and courage. I can't forgive and move on by myself. The hurt is too deep, the betrayal too fresh. But through God I can let it go and trust that He will handle it as He sees fit. He reminds me of all the times I've let others down, all the times I've betrayed Him. I take a deep breath and let it go. Forgiveness. God's way of releasing the venom from inside of us so that we can carry on down the path He has set before us.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

We All Betray Jesus

Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. -- Luke 22:3-4

Why does betrayal from a friend, a family member, someone loved and trusted, cut so deeply and hurt so badly? There’s something horrible about trusting someone, by allowing them to know your heart, and then having that person turn on you in the worst way.

Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. He knew. And still the Son of Man didn’t lash out at His betrayer. He didn’t badmouth Judas or encourage others to avoid him. He let the truth do to Judas what the truth would do to him. Judas accepted money to betray Jesus and the guilt drove him to suicide.

We look down on Judas. How could he do such a thing? And yet we do it everyday. Yes. That’s right. You and me. We betray Jesus every single day. We really are no better than Judas because we are willing to cast Jesus aside to earn more money, to have more things, to sit mindlessly in front of the television.

We betray Jesus every time we condemn a homeless person. We betray Jesus every time we look down on someone because of their skin color, their accent, or their address. We betray Jesus every time we refuse to see someone who is hurting, someone who is sick, someone who just needs a friend.

We don’t think ourselves as betraying Jesus when we do those things. In fact, we aren’t thinking of Jesus at all. We consider Jesus when we want something from Him. We maybe feel a little guilty when the pastor reminds us to give to the mercy fund or volunteer at an outreach event. But mostly we just go our own way and do our own thing. If we feel like helping others, we do. And if we don’t feel like it, we don’t.

What much did it take for Jesus to prove how much He loves us? How much did it cost for God’s Son to show us how to live our lives? And still we don’t get it. Still we live focused on ourselves and not on others. Still we betray Jesus day after day.

During this season of darkness and light, let us also remember our own guilt and betrayal. Because it is in the remembering that we learn how to walk with Jesus day by day, showing His love, compassion and kindness to all of God’s people.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

A Traitor Loved And Forgiven?

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders.

-- Mark 14:43

Betrayal. Jesus knew it was coming. He’d told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. Still, it had to hurt. This wasn’t some stranger who had done Him wrong. This was a man Jesus loved and spent time with. They had traveled together and shared meals. Judas had seen the miracles and heard the words of the Messiah. And yet for 30 pieces of silver, Judas handed over his friend to a face an almost certain death.

Why? Did Judas betray Jesus out of greed? Did Judas expect Jesus to rise up and lead a revolt? Or was Judas inherently evil and, thus, easy for Satan to use? We really don’t know. What we do know is that Judas returned the money and was in such despair afterwards that he committed suicide.

We call this day Maundy Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandalum,” which means commandment. It refers to the command Jesus gave His disciples at the Last Supper. That command? To love one another.

We don’t think about love when we think of Judas. Even today Judas’ name is symbolic for “traitor.” Are we being too hard on him? After all, every one of Jesus’ disciples abandoned Him. Are we refusing to do what Jesus commanded and love one another? Are we any better?

Because we’ve all betrayed someone at some point in our lives. We’ve given up a confidence. We’ve let someone down. We’ve changed our minds and gone a different way. We’ve put ourselves first. We’ve chosen money over family or friendship. I could go on and on. We fail the people we care about. We just do.

And, yet, there is love. Do you think Jesus still loved Judas? I do. I have no proof. There is no one sentence in the Bible I can point to and say for sure. It’s just that I know Jesus loves me, no matter how many times I mess up. I know He does. Yeah, I still need to ask for forgiveness. But He loves me whether I do or not. So, yes, I believe Jesus still loved Judas even as he betrayed his friend. Do you love your betrayers? Do you forgive? Are you following Jesus’ command to love one another? Think about it.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

We All Betray Jesus

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 Iscariot, son of Simon.

-- John 13:26

Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? Maybe a spouse or parent, a friend or co-worker? It hurts. It shakes that foundation of trust in a way that sometimes can never be rebuilt.

Jesus understands. His disciple, His close friend, betrayed Him to the very people who wanted Him dead. Jesus knew who would do this awful thing. Jesus knows everything and when He looked at Judas He saw His betrayer. Still, He sat at the table between Judas and John. He ate the Last Supper with the twelve. He even washed the feet of Judas. Would you do that for a person you knew would betray you?

We tend to picture the Lord's Supper as the Leonardo Da Vinci painting. It really wasn't like that. The table was u-shaped and the head of the table was actually on the side. I learned this from Adam Hamilton in his study 24 Hours That Changed the World. I also learned that John was likely seated on Jesus' right, in a place of honor. And on Jesus' left was Judas, his betrayer, also in a seat of honor.

It's easy to get upset, even angry, at Judas for his betrayal. But before you judge, before you condemn, think about it. How many times have you betrayed Jesus? How many times have you let Him down with your words and actions? How many times have you turned away from Him in favor of the world?

Judas may have been the one who accepted money to betray Jesus but each and every one of us nailed Him to the cross. Our sins led Him on that path of agony, abandoned and alone. We betray Jesus every day and sometimes in ways we don't even realize or understand. Next time you accept communion, remember that His body and His blood saved you, a sinner, a betrayer, from death.