The Cross of Christਨਮੂਨਾ

Passion Wednesday: Seeds of Betrayal

"Et tu, Brute?" (“And you, Brutus?”)

These are the famous last words of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar to his close friend Brutus, the senator who joined a conspiracy to assassinate the emperor to protect the Roman Republic.

Caesar’s final utterance demonstrates the deep pain of a man betrayed by someone he trusted.

Similarly, with only three days to live, Wednesday took a deadly turn for Jesus.

His opposition from religious leaders, governing authorities, and the demonic was not unexpected, but His betrayal at the hands of one of His own was treachery of the highest degree.

Judas had agreed to sell Him out for thirty silver pieces, the equivalent of a few months' wages—not exactly a windfall or reason enough to betray your rabbi.

What drove Judas to this?

Return to the preceding scene to witness the anointing of Jesus by a woman with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume. See the anger of some of the disciples in their self-righteous and harsh accusations: “Why waste such expensive perfume?…It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” (Mark 14:5 NLT).

Judas was there, and something snapped. He immediately left to make a deal with the religious leaders to betray Jesus.

But it is hard to fathom that Jesus knew this would happen, that these seeds of mistrust would grow and result in complete betrayal. He knew he was losing Judas to the dark side, yet He loved him and welcomed him to the table.

This betrayal was no shock, but the loss was no less painful.

Betrayal against us comes in many forms, perhaps from a friend, business partner, or spouse. The closer the relationship, the deeper the pain and grief. This loss of trust in others can cause us to lose trust in God.

Betrayal, as something we also do to others, also comes in all shapes and sizes. But often, the seeds start small and, left unchecked, overtake the gardens of our hearts.

But there is healing from the pain through the One who experienced the unfathomable depths of betrayal on the road to securing our salvation.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for allowing any seeds of bitterness to grow in my heart toward another. Help me be a man of forgiveness, just as You forgave those who crucified You. Amen.

Reflection: How do you handle feelings of betrayal or disappointment in relationships? How can you be a more loyal, committed, and trustworthy man, husband, friend, or colleague? What little seeds of bitterness have you let accumulate that, left unchecked, could derail your best intentions?