The Ultimate Betrayal: An Easter Blog

   Have you ever had the experience where you are talking with someone and the conversation seems to be going really well? You are telling jokes, talking about their kids, asking about their weekend, and all seems to be good. But, in your gut, you just get the feeling that something isn't right. See, you know that this person has stabbed you in the back, and possibly will again. It doesn't matter how you know this person is gossiping about you but you know it for a fact. This person has betrayed you.
   By the world's standards you have a right to hate that person. The world would say that you would not have to talk to that person ever again. The world would even say that you would be just in trying to get revenge on that person. 
   What about God's standards? In John 13 Jesus gives us the example of how we should treat betrayers. 
   In the beginning of the chapter Jesus shows us that we are to serve those who wrong us. Jesus takes on the role of servant by washing his disciples’ feet. He washes all their stinky, sweaty, dirty feet. HE WASHES EVERY DISCIPLE’s FEET. Did you catch that? He even washed Judas' feet. He washed the feet of the person who betrayed him in the worst way. This man was the one who gave Jesus over to die! 

   How can we serve those who betray us in a way like that? We need to remember that we cannot see the whole picture. Jesus knew the ending to the story. He knew what had to be done. He also showed love to his betrayer to the end. We need to trust that God has a plan. God can use trials in our lives to bring about his perfect plan. In the meantime we need to show love to those who hate us. In doing that people will wonder what is different about us. That will make them wonder and thus become a seeker. Who knows, it just may bring them to Christ.
   We also must not forget that we also are betrayers. There is not one man, woman, or child who has not betrayed Christ. We have no right to hold grudges against our fellow man when we have been given so much grace. We have hope in the grace of Jesus Christ. Because of him we are no longer seen as betrayers. We are washed (kind of like feet ;) as white as snow. If we have that kind of grace from God should we not show it to our betrayers?
   So, how do you treat those who have betrayed you? Do you serve them and show the love of God? Do you believe God has a plan for your life? Do you believe in Jesus Christ and the gift of grace he has given us?

   John 13, 1 John 4:19-21, John 13:34

   Image found here.