LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil
Tuesday 15th April 2025
THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL
Scripture Reading: Luke 22:39-53
And while He was still speaking, behold a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” Luke 22:47–48
Betrayal! It is one of the most painful experiences of life. It happens when someone who knows us so well uses their closeness to cause us harm. Judas is the ultimate symbol of betrayal.
The disciples were accustomed to praying with Jesus in the garden and Gethsemane was familiar to them. It was their place of quietness away from the public eye. In Gethsemane, they felt safe from the crowds that usually followed Jesus. The Jews wanted to arrest Jesus in a quiet place away from the adoring public. Jesus knew about their plans. The Lord could have taken His followers to some other site, but He was not trying to avoid arrest. He had surrendered to the Father’s will
After Jesus rose from prayer, He was ready to go through the suffering for our salvation. As the Lord was speaking with the disciples, Judas appeared with Jewish officials. For the price of thirty pieces of silver, Judas led the enemies of Jesus to His secret place of prayer. Jesus did not live in Jerusalem; so those who had come to arrest Him needed Judas to identify Him. The sign that Judas used to identify Jesus to those who wanted to kill Him was a kiss. Usually a sign of affection, Judas turned the kiss into a mark of betrayal.
“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” That was Jesus’ question to Judas. Jesus was not surprised by the betrayal. He had frequently indicated that one of His disciples would betray Him. The Lord aimed that question at the heart of Judas. It is not a question of condemnation. Jesus wanted Judas to ponder over what he had done and perhaps repent.
Have you ever felt betrayed by a trusted friend? So has your Lord. He understands when those we trust the most cut us the deepest. However, in Christ, we see a heart wounded by an act of betrayal that still seeks to bring healing to those in pain. Remarkably, the last recorded healing miracle of Jesus occurred after His betrayal. Our Lord healed the cut-off year of one of those who had come to arrest Him.
Those who came to arrest Jesus represent those who remain defiant against Him. In the face of His grace and gentleness, they react with hostility to the one who came to give them life. Jesus teaches us how to deal with betrayal; with grace, gentleness and forgiveness by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, heal my heart from any experience of betrayal in my past. Help me to never betray another. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
