God put this message on my heart to share.
I was reading in the Gospels last night and opened to the moment where Jesus is betrayed by Judas. What’s interesting is that Judas could have betrayed Jesus any other way, but he comes to Jesus with a kiss. Pretty bizarre actions to precede what he’s about to do.
Yet Judas betraying Jesus isn’t the end of the story.
Jesus begins to face examination and is beaten. He’s walking towards his death.
And what about Judas? Where is he? Scripture doesn’t say that he’s filled with joy or counting the money he made. The Bible doesn’t paint a picture of bliss for this antagonist who finally got what he plotted and schemed for. No, not at all. Instead, we see a character who’s overwhelmed by his sin.
He’s overcome with remorse and regret, and tries to unsuccessfully undo what cannot be undone. Judas gives back all the money he was given to betray Christ and is shattered when he realizes the magnitude of his actions. The despair of his sin overwhelms him so much that he ends it all.
Here we see something God wants us to remember. The sins done by others never appease them. Betrayal is not something the human soul was made to carry. People who give themselves over to wickedness and evil have no peace and no rest. The end result of sin is that it leads to death. Not always physical as in this case, but in the death of relationships, inner peace, and wholeness in life.
When Jesus calls us to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and do good to those who mistreat us, He’s doing so because as God, He fully knows how their sin will catch up with them. It’s not something they will easily be able to live with. Those who betray others soon find themselves feeling betrayed themselves - betrayed by all the lies sin whispered to them.
So we must forgive those who betray us because they will have to face the consequences of their sin - either now or eventually. God is not a God who lets evil win. We must pray for their souls and agree with Christ’s words from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Ultimately, we must pray for God’s mercy on their souls and that they seek and find Jesus in their agony and anguish. Let us pray that they have an end like Peter, who sinned and was restored, and not like Judas, who felt like he had to pay for his own sin and that there was no hope. There is always hope - for both the one betrayed AND the betrayer. God’s saving work in Jesus Christ is enough to heal, restore, and redeem both.