Healing from Betrayal
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’"- 1 Corinthians 11:23-24
At the Last Supper, Jesus sat with His disciples, sharing a meal, and knowing full well that one of them, Judas, would soon betray Him. This act of disloyalty was so significant that Paul later reminds us of that painful moment when Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is for you." Imagine that—Jesus’s body, broken, battered, bruised, and betrayed for you and me.
God’s plan for our salvation involved something so painful and traumatic that many of us can relate to it through our own experiences of hurt and betrayal. We often frame significant moments in our lives in terms of before and after a painful event. Before the breakup, I had joy; now, I’ve stopped smiling. Before they cheated, I trusted people; now, I’ll never trust again.
Two aspects of Judas's betrayal of Jesus have puzzled theologians and believers for centuries. First, how could Jesus choose someone as a disciple who He knew would betray Him? Second, what kind of person could betray someone as kind and loving as Jesus?
Jesus’s choice of Judas shows us something important about life and people. Life doesn't always deliver perfect circumstances to our door. Jesus chose Judas, fully aware of his potential for betrayal, to teach us that betrayal and pain are part of the human experience. It’s not a matter of if we will be hurt, but when.
What do we do with this understanding? Jesus’s response to Judas’s betrayal offers a powerful lesson. Despite knowing what Judas would do, Jesus still extended love and grace to him. This act challenges us to find a way to heal and move forward, even when we are hurt.
When you face betrayal, remember that Jesus experienced it too. He knows the pain of being let down by someone close. Yet, He still fulfilled His purpose, showing us that betrayal doesn’t have to define us or our future. Instead, it can be a catalyst for growth and deeper reliance on God’s grace.
At the Last Supper, Jesus sat with His disciples, sharing a meal, and knowing full well that one of them, Judas, would soon betray Him. This act of disloyalty was so significant that Paul later reminds us of that painful moment when Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, "This is my body, which is for you." Imagine that—Jesus’s body, broken, battered, bruised, and betrayed for you and me.
God’s plan for our salvation involved something so painful and traumatic that many of us can relate to it through our own experiences of hurt and betrayal. We often frame significant moments in our lives in terms of before and after a painful event. Before the breakup, I had joy; now, I’ve stopped smiling. Before they cheated, I trusted people; now, I’ll never trust again.
Two aspects of Judas's betrayal of Jesus have puzzled theologians and believers for centuries. First, how could Jesus choose someone as a disciple who He knew would betray Him? Second, what kind of person could betray someone as kind and loving as Jesus?
Jesus’s choice of Judas shows us something important about life and people. Life doesn't always deliver perfect circumstances to our door. Jesus chose Judas, fully aware of his potential for betrayal, to teach us that betrayal and pain are part of the human experience. It’s not a matter of if we will be hurt, but when.
What do we do with this understanding? Jesus’s response to Judas’s betrayal offers a powerful lesson. Despite knowing what Judas would do, Jesus still extended love and grace to him. This act challenges us to find a way to heal and move forward, even when we are hurt.
When you face betrayal, remember that Jesus experienced it too. He knows the pain of being let down by someone close. Yet, He still fulfilled His purpose, showing us that betrayal doesn’t have to define us or our future. Instead, it can be a catalyst for growth and deeper reliance on God’s grace.
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