betrayed

jBETRAYED!! by a Back Stabber

John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
25 He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot...
27 And after the sop Satan entered into Judas..

Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall betray me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall betray thee, yet will I never betray thee.

Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Mark 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Matthew 27:1 When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate..
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw he was condemned, repented .. to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they

said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

REFLECTIONS: When we think of betrayers we don’t often think of ourselves do we? Now imagine that, to be betrayed by someone you love, someone you honored, someone you helped. Not me, no way you say, why I would never... Hum lets take another look at this story.

Jesus was troubled that one of his followers would betray him, ever wondered why he was so troubled? Not so much because it would bring about his death for that was in the divine plan of God. His life for the sins of the world.
His death that others might live. His imprisonment that other would have freedom. You see he was bothered not so much for himself but rather for what would happen to his betrayer.
Jesus was indeed hurt by the betrayal but he found comfort and consolation in knowing that though the devil meant it for bad God would turn it for good.

He found strength and grace to go on despite betrayal. Because he saw it as fulfilling Gods plan for his life. God purpose was accomplished despite the pain and temporal lost. And despite the betrayal he could still love, still care, did anybody notice the SOP? what’s the big deal with the sop? well you see the Sop was normally given FIRST to the most highly honored guest.
Hence by giving it to Judas Jesus was giving him one last chance to repent. Jesus was honoring him despite his plans to betray Jesus. It was at this point that Jesus finally let go of Judas.

Notice vs. 27 And immediately after the sop Satan entered into Judas.. And he (Judas) sought how he might conveniently betray him. Thus Satan could not have nor enter Judas until Jesus let go.

Notice in vs. 22- They said is it I Lord? Now isn’t that something, that some folks can be consumed and so busy, so preoccupied, so caught up in their own affections and desires,

( sometimes we can want the things of God or what we perceive as a gift from God. But we refuse to wait on God and take things into our own hands and sadly we reap the consequences of such immature behavior) that they can’t even notice when they are out of the will of God.
When they are acting contrary to God, can’t even realize that it is them that may betray their own Lord, their own Church, their own family etc.
Is it I?
The very question itself shows a lack of vision, allegiance and loyalty, if not commitment.

So here we have 2 betrayers: One is Judas the other is Peter, One was forgiven and restored the other died rejected and condemned. What was the difference, is God impartial? Unfair? Lets look at these characters First Peter who boasted I will never betray thee. Yet a few hours later he not only denied Jesus but cursed others to prove it. Then there was Judas ever wondered what he really had planned and hoped for. Some say all he was really hoping for was that JESUS would be forced to play his hand and call on the angels to defend himself, then over throw the Romans and thus established the kingdom of God.
Poor Judas’s vision and purpose was impaired by his greed and vice. But then again at least he was sorrowful or so it seems? After all he did return to the Pharisees and gave the money back.
Weeping at that. confessing he did wrong. Then what was wrong here? Because he went away unforgiven and condemned. Poor Judas was more concerned about money than the master. More about position rather than providence.
Did anybody notice vs. 3-4 lets read it again, 3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself.. to the chief priests and elders.. ( not to God but to men.)
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. ( even they knew they had no business nor power to forgive )

Well for one he went to the wrong people, and second another point is he repented when he saw he was condemned but not so much because he did wrong. Is that a good motive for repentance? is that sincere?

On the other hand we better be careful because maybe sincere repentance by itself may not be enough. The time could come when it may be to late to repent?

Now lets look at Peter he found forgiveness and restoration. Perhaps true repentance is a matter of the heart more than a matter of the mouth. Not what we say but what we do!
Jesus said " these people do honor me with their mouth but their heart is far from me"

A PRAYER: Dearest Daddy, Oh how I love you! please help me to never be betray you. And for the times that I have please forgive me.. I pray today for those today who are feeling down and discouraged. For those who have turned their backs on you. I pray love and mercy not condemnation or accusations. Help us to know and realize father that you are ever faithful! That you will never betray us. Help me to see that the love of money should never replace my love for you. I pray also for those whom I have betrayed and hurt daddy.

HELP them, heal them, encourage them, hold it not to their charge. What evil they may have felt or thought towards me. Oh thank you my Lord for your tender mercies! For your divine intervention. Today I pray for those who have played the role of the betrayer. May they find your mercy and truth. May they realize it before it’s to late. I pray that you will send them grace and guidance, help and hope! keep them in the faith my father. We love you. They love you.. Oh and Thank you that you cared when I didn’t. Remind me to care for others in such manner..