Steve O'Connor
Betrayed. Most of us have experienced a betrayal of some sort in our lives. It hurts. Especially when the betrayer is someone we love.
This passage from Matthew recounts the betrayal of Christ by someone close to him, his disciple Judas, in exchange for thirty silver coins (according to my Bible, the price of a slave). For that price, Judas agreed to hand Jesus over to the religious leaders who opposed his teachings and sought his death. At the Last Supper, after the money was paid, Jesus announced that one of the twelve would betray him. Each of the disciples in turn questioned Jesus, in effect denying that he was the one. Even Judas had the audacity to ask “Surely not I, Rabbi?” But Jesus answered with the truth, telling Judas what he already knew—he was the one.
“Betray” has a number of definitions in my dictionary. One of those definitions, “to deliver to an enemy by treachery,” perfectly fits the actions of Judas in this passage of Scripture. “Betray” also means “to fail or desert,” which not only applies to the actions of Judas (and to the eleven other disciples after Jesus is taken into custody), but also to our actions. This is the betrayal that occurs when we act contrary to our faith. It happens in what we think, say and do. We are creatures of sin. Choosing not to attend church. Selfishly not supporting the ministries of God’s Church on Earth. Treating others badly. Jesus said “[i]f you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15. But in these, and so many other ways, we fail to obey. When that happens we betray God by failing to stay on the path He wants us to walk.
“Betray,” however, has another definition, which is “to lead astray.” Does that definition also apply? Maybe. Perhaps by failing to obey what God commands, we betray ourselves in that we lead ourselves astray from the relationship God wants to have with us.
No comments:
Post a Comment