“Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.” (Luke 22:3–6, ESV)
After a quick reading of this verse, can you spot which significant word is used twice to great effect? The word that is repeated is “betray”. This word means to give over or hand over someone to another and thus to determine their fate. In the scripture above from the gospel of Luke, Judas “conferred with the chief priests and officers” how he might “betray” Jesus (Luke 22:4). Then, he agreed to “betray” Jesus at a time when the deed could be done secretly (“in the absence of a crowd”-Luke 22:6). As we look at these three short sentences that set into motion the crucifixion and death of Jesus, let us examine the meaning of Jesus’ betrayal.
“No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 B. C. was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, he had favored him as a son. According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted the onslaught of the assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with his dagger drawn, Caesar ceased to struggle and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, asked the famous question, “You too, Brutus?”” (“Today in the Word”, August 13, 1992).
When you are betrayed, it will often be by someone who has the power to hurt you. It will usually be done with the intent to cause you harm. It will often shake you to the core that someone you so trusted has turned against you. Betrayal will always cause the maximum amount of internal suffering and turmoil. It even caused the great Julius Caesar to crumble when his trusted Brutus was part of his betrayal. Can you imagine how hurt Jesus must have been to have been betrayed by Judas, a trusted chosen disciple?
Looking at the scripture for today, Jesus’ betrayal by Judas gives us two clues as to why betrayal hurts so deeply. Luke 22:6 teaches us that the betrayal event was planned to occur “in the absence of a crowd”. When you betray someone, it will often involve secret negotiations or a hidden agenda or both. Because the disciples were so close to Jesus, Judas knew that Jesus might catch on to the betrayal. To counter this, he met secretly with the chief priests and scribes. If a person close to you desires to betray your trust, the work will often be hidden from your view. It may happen behind closed doors. It may happen when your back is turned. You may not see it coming. Jesus did. He even said to Judas at the Last Supper, “What you must do, do quickly” (John 13:27). Jesus allowed himself to be betrayed. He gave Judas every opportunity not to sin.
That’s just like God. God doesn’t want you to fail, to sin, to betray a loved one or friend. So, what causes this to occur? Our scripture for today gives us a big clue. It tells us that what precipitated Judas’ decision to betray the Savior was Satan entering into Judas (Luke 22:3). Satan was behind the betrayal. Be careful when you entertain thoughts of betraying someone. Satan may be the one working behind the scenes, pulling the strings. In truth, Satan is usually involved.
Betrayal doesn’t occur when you turn someone over to authorities to get them help. Betrayal always involves some kind of harm. Scripture usually uses the word for betrayal by humans to speak of a person plotting against another person to cause undue pain. Satan loves when pain is inflicted, when harm is done to another. The fact that betrayal usually involves a hidden evil agenda is par for the course.
If you find yourself toying with a hidden agenda to cause another person harm, be warned. It might just be a betrayal you are considering. Chances are, if you are considering betrayal, Satan will probably be an instigator in the process. If you choose to betray someone close, it may come back to haunt you. Judas ended up committing suicide because of his part in the betrayal (Acts 1:19).
A friend confided in Sophia that the pastor’s clothes were too shabby for their large and growing church. From then on, every time Sophia looked at her pastor, she would regard his level of dress. She had to agree with her friend; the pastor did lack a sophisticated wardrobe. Rather than become part of a group in the church who would bash the pastor behind the scenes, Sophia acquired a $500 gift certificate to a neighboring tailor’s business. There, her pastor bought a new suit. When he wore the suit, Sophia’s friend noticed. She commented on the change. Sophia was glad that she wasn’t one talking behind the pastor’s back but instead became part of a great solution. Sophia was not going to betray her pastor.
How many things go on behind your back? Are you part of a group who backbites others, gossips with malicious intent, or looks down on another? Do you have any hidden agendas? If you answered “yes” to any of the previous three questions, you may have to consider if a betrayal might be a part of your future.
“No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 B. C. was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, he had favored him as a son. According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted the onslaught of the assassins. But when he saw Brutus among them with his dagger drawn, Caesar ceased to struggle and, pulling the top part of his robe over his face, asked the famous question, “You too, Brutus?”” (“Today in the Word”, August 13, 1992).
When you are betrayed, it will often be by someone who has the power to hurt you. It will usually be done with the intent to cause you harm. It will often shake you to the core that someone you so trusted has turned against you. Betrayal will always cause the maximum amount of internal suffering and turmoil. It even caused the great Julius Caesar to crumble when his trusted Brutus was part of his betrayal. Can you imagine how hurt Jesus must have been to have been betrayed by Judas, a trusted chosen disciple?
Looking at the scripture for today, Jesus’ betrayal by Judas gives us two clues as to why betrayal hurts so deeply. Luke 22:6 teaches us that the betrayal event was planned to occur “in the absence of a crowd”. When you betray someone, it will often involve secret negotiations or a hidden agenda or both. Because the disciples were so close to Jesus, Judas knew that Jesus might catch on to the betrayal. To counter this, he met secretly with the chief priests and scribes. If a person close to you desires to betray your trust, the work will often be hidden from your view. It may happen behind closed doors. It may happen when your back is turned. You may not see it coming. Jesus did. He even said to Judas at the Last Supper, “What you must do, do quickly” (John 13:27). Jesus allowed himself to be betrayed. He gave Judas every opportunity not to sin.
That’s just like God. God doesn’t want you to fail, to sin, to betray a loved one or friend. So, what causes this to occur? Our scripture for today gives us a big clue. It tells us that what precipitated Judas’ decision to betray the Savior was Satan entering into Judas (Luke 22:3). Satan was behind the betrayal. Be careful when you entertain thoughts of betraying someone. Satan may be the one working behind the scenes, pulling the strings. In truth, Satan is usually involved.
Betrayal doesn’t occur when you turn someone over to authorities to get them help. Betrayal always involves some kind of harm. Scripture usually uses the word for betrayal by humans to speak of a person plotting against another person to cause undue pain. Satan loves when pain is inflicted, when harm is done to another. The fact that betrayal usually involves a hidden evil agenda is par for the course.
If you find yourself toying with a hidden agenda to cause another person harm, be warned. It might just be a betrayal you are considering. Chances are, if you are considering betrayal, Satan will probably be an instigator in the process. If you choose to betray someone close, it may come back to haunt you. Judas ended up committing suicide because of his part in the betrayal (Acts 1:19).
A friend confided in Sophia that the pastor’s clothes were too shabby for their large and growing church. From then on, every time Sophia looked at her pastor, she would regard his level of dress. She had to agree with her friend; the pastor did lack a sophisticated wardrobe. Rather than become part of a group in the church who would bash the pastor behind the scenes, Sophia acquired a $500 gift certificate to a neighboring tailor’s business. There, her pastor bought a new suit. When he wore the suit, Sophia’s friend noticed. She commented on the change. Sophia was glad that she wasn’t one talking behind the pastor’s back but instead became part of a great solution. Sophia was not going to betray her pastor.
How many things go on behind your back? Are you part of a group who backbites others, gossips with malicious intent, or looks down on another? Do you have any hidden agendas? If you answered “yes” to any of the previous three questions, you may have to consider if a betrayal might be a part of your future.