Thought for Saturday, March 16th

March 16, 2013

Betrayal

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.  But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.  Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.  Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Matthew  26:31-34

The betrayer is: “The smiler with the knife under the cloak.”

-       Chaucer

The metaphorical ‘knife in the back’ analogy is probably familiar in both concept and practical application to many if not most of us.  Whether we are the betrayed or the betrayer is of little consequence because the act of betraying someone damages both parties.

Down through the ages there are many accounts of betrayal in the history of our world and even the Bible is resplendent with accounts of betrayal.

Adam and Eve betrayed God for a taste of fruit.

Cain betrayed Abel because of jealousy.

Jacob betrayed Esau for a blessing.

Joseph was betrayed by his ten brothers and sold into slavery.

Jesus was betrayed by His disciples in many different ways and different times.

And God is betrayed by each of us more times than we care to acknowledge.

We like to think of betrayal as a grand act of a major proportion: but betrayal can also be a seemingly innocent or insignificant act of denial in any form.

When we don’t tell others about what God has done for us; this is a form of betrayal.

When we dishonor God by disobeying His word this can be a form of betrayal.

Jesus said if we deny Him before men; He will deny us before the Father – do you think maybe we need to become more sensitized to what betrayal really is and how to avoid being guilty of doing it?

Betrayal hurts both the betrayed and the betrayer and do we really want to hurt ourselves by hurting God?

May we all be less like Judas; or Peter, or Adam and more like Jesus who never betrayed even the vilest of sinners.

Today’s Prayer

Father, forgive me for the many times I have betrayed you consciously, as well as for the times I have betrayed you without thought or maybe even intent: and help me to become more aware of what constitutes betrayal and how it is present in my words and deeds and help me to stop denying you in any way, shape or form.