DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
BETRAYAL AIN’T NO JOKE | DAY 37 OF 40 (LENT)
photo (source)
A picture is worth how many words? The one above is saying something.
Isn’t that how betrayal goes down?
My mom used to share the following advice about judging a person’s character:
“Never trust a liar. A person who lies will steal, and a person who steals will kill.”
Guess my mom knew a thing or two about Judas… or the Judas-type.
This joker, (my terminology, not the Bible’s) Judas was a liar, thief and accomplice to murder. John writes about Judas’ lies and stealing in John 12:4-8 (previous blog: Dinner, Expensive Perfume, Murder Plots). In John 13, we see Judas’ willingness to participate in a murder scheme.
Day 37:
Look below or CLICK: JOHN 13: 21-30
21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” 22 His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. 23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. 24 Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” 25 Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” 28 But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
PREVIOUSLY…
Jesus and His disciples are at the “Lord’s Supper” or the “Last Supper”. We’ll explore the beginning of John 13 tomorrow to be in sync with Maundy Thursday and the church worldwide. This event with Judas takes place after Jesus’ intimate discussion with his disciples in preparation for his death.
BETRAYAL REVEALED
Jesus tells his disciples in John 13:18-19 that the following Scripture is about to be fulfilled:
Psalm 41:9
9 Even my close friend,
someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
has turned against me.
I have so many questions.
Why does Jesus allow Judas to become a close friend when He knows Judas’ character is less than stellar? Jesus is God. He knows all things. He knows Judas is a liar and thief before He invites Judas to be a disciple.
Personally, I don’t want friends who steal-behind-my-back-but-not-really-because-I-know-you’re-stealing. I can’t trust them. I don’t want friends who lie. I can’t trust them. One thing you can say about those who are closest to me is that they are honest people: my husband, my closest sister-friends, my brothers. We are not perfect, by no means, but we don’t lie to each other.
Recently, we assembled a stellar team to shoot a promo for my upcoming book and film. We have the BEST crew ever. However, some equipment from our production company ‘comes up missing’. When I get over the shock that someone who is working closely with me could lie to my face and steal from me, I confront him and ask for our stuff back. He pretends like nothing is wrong with what he has done. No apology. No remorse. “Oh, here’s your stuff.”
Fam, would you hire this person for future productions?
Exactly!
But Jesus might.
UPSIDE-DOWN JESUS
Jesus allows Judas to roll with Him for 3 years, knowing that this joker (again, my terminology), will be the ‘close friend who shares my bread that turns against me’.
We’ve been talking about Upside Down D! (Discipleship).
Here it is again. Jesus does things so opposite.
Most of the time, we are blindsided when a friend or someone we love betrays us because we don’t see it coming. That’s what makes it betrayal.
But not Jesus! Jesus sees the betrayal coming from the beginning and still allows the betrayer to hang with Him.
Why? Why?
So that the scriptures might be fulfilled. Jesus cares more about His Father’s will being done than saving Himself.
I confess. I don’t think I could do it. If I knew Judas was the weak link on the team who was open to being used by satan, Judas would’ve gotten the boot. I don’t need a large team, but I need a trustworthy one. I don’t think I could allow Judas to get that close to me if I knew he was going to roll up on me one day with a kiss to hand me over to die. I would’ve been trying to get as far
away from him as possible.
But as I write this, I am sorely convicted, because don’t I betray Christ all the time when I sin? And yet, He doesn’t go as far away from me as possible. He patiently reveals my sin by His Spirit and forgives me when I repent. He doesn’t run me away from communing at His table. He gives me bread and all my daily provision…. knowing I fall short.
This is a marvel to me.
This is what this Holy Week is about.
This is what our entire faith as followers of Christ is about.
Jesus allows Himself to be betrayed, beaten up, broken down and murdered in order to die in our stead. He, who is sinless, dies for all us sinners, as the perfect sacrifice, so that we can be reconciled back to God.
Betrayal is only the beginning. Jesus goes to ‘Hades’ and back again for us. He conquers death and rises from the dead so that we will be able to do the same. It’s a marvel. It’s baffling.
Betrayal ain’t no joke.
But rolling with our betrayer knowing he will betray us? That’s borderline insane… or a miracle.
Jesus leads the way. If we follow Him, we might be asked to do the same… because that’s what He does for us, daily.
Just curious: Could you do it?
Pray for your girl.
And I will pray for you,
Naima
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DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.