Understanding Betrayal Through the Eyes of Jesus
Mark 14:11b And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.
Betrayal always comes when it is most convenient for the one doing the betraying. As a matter of fact, it has been my observation over the years that true betrayers are the best cons; they are able to play the part as long as they must until they feel like there is nothing else in it for them.
Often is the case that when others betray you to go elsewhere, they will cunningly attempt to play out what they have been wanting to do for a long time, but they will do so in such a way that will make it look like they are doing the right thing. Sadly, in some cases, they are so deceived that they really do feel like they are doing the right thing, but in most cases, they know exactly what they are doing.
Do not be fooled by the fool! The enemy is really good at talking someone into deserting you, and then attacking you as if it is your own fault they did so. Do not believe the lies, for the enemy is only interested in one thing…self-preservation! Betrayers (a.k.a. haters) will always try to rationalize what they are doing to ease their conscience, but at the end of the day, what matters most to them is that they were personally advantaged in some kind of way.
In our text, Judas’ motivation was money. No wonder the Bible teaches that the love of money is the root of all evil; it was the love of money that drove Judas to betray the Lamb of God. I wish now to focus not on how Jesus responded to the betrayal, but how He did not respond. Notice that there were three things He didn’t do. First, He didn’t try to stop him from betraying Him. As a matter of fact, he encouraged him to do it quickly!
Lesson: we might as well stop trying to prevent others from going further down the path of betrayal. If it is in their heart, they cannot be trusted, and only God can fix or stop them. Secondly, Christ did not waste His time defending himself; as a matter of fact, He opened not His mouth! Lesson: no matter how hard we try to defend ourselves, it will never make any difference whatsoever in the eyes of the betrayers or their followers. Let it go! Let God worry with it! Lastly, Christ was not thrown off course, as He fully expected opposition. Lesson: when we are betrayed, do not allow it to slow us down one bit. Just keep on!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
Betrayal always comes when it is most convenient for the one doing the betraying. As a matter of fact, it has been my observation over the years that true betrayers are the best cons; they are able to play the part as long as they must until they feel like there is nothing else in it for them.
Often is the case that when others betray you to go elsewhere, they will cunningly attempt to play out what they have been wanting to do for a long time, but they will do so in such a way that will make it look like they are doing the right thing. Sadly, in some cases, they are so deceived that they really do feel like they are doing the right thing, but in most cases, they know exactly what they are doing.
Do not be fooled by the fool! The enemy is really good at talking someone into deserting you, and then attacking you as if it is your own fault they did so. Do not believe the lies, for the enemy is only interested in one thing…self-preservation! Betrayers (a.k.a. haters) will always try to rationalize what they are doing to ease their conscience, but at the end of the day, what matters most to them is that they were personally advantaged in some kind of way.
In our text, Judas’ motivation was money. No wonder the Bible teaches that the love of money is the root of all evil; it was the love of money that drove Judas to betray the Lamb of God. I wish now to focus not on how Jesus responded to the betrayal, but how He did not respond. Notice that there were three things He didn’t do. First, He didn’t try to stop him from betraying Him. As a matter of fact, he encouraged him to do it quickly!
Lesson: we might as well stop trying to prevent others from going further down the path of betrayal. If it is in their heart, they cannot be trusted, and only God can fix or stop them. Secondly, Christ did not waste His time defending himself; as a matter of fact, He opened not His mouth! Lesson: no matter how hard we try to defend ourselves, it will never make any difference whatsoever in the eyes of the betrayers or their followers. Let it go! Let God worry with it! Lastly, Christ was not thrown off course, as He fully expected opposition. Lesson: when we are betrayed, do not allow it to slow us down one bit. Just keep on!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill