From the Pulpit: Betrayal hurts
Are you a movie person? I’m not. I have the attention span of a squirrel so movies and I do not really get along. However, there is one movie franchise that has forever captivated my attention; Star Wars. From as early on as I can remember, I have always been a huge Star Wars fan. I love the lore, I love the space travel, the fighting, all of it. I used to have all of the toys (I still have some), and sometimes my wife even makes me share them with our kids. There is this scene in The Empire Strikes Back that absolutely shocks you because you never see it coming. Han Solo has just landed the Millenium Falcon on Cloud city, seeking refuge from the Empire. He’s meeting up with his friend, Lando Calrissian. Things seem to be going well. Lando is leading Han and his crew to a supposed feast. The door swings open and standing there to greet them is Darth Vader. Lando has betrayed his best friend to save his own skin. Han Solo is taken captive and the rebels barely escape. And let me tell you, watching this scene as a child for the first time is painful. Why? Because betrayal hurts. Especially betrayal from someone you love and trust.
Maybe you can relate with this. Betrayed by a spouse. Someone who stood at an altar, promising to spend their life with you. You went from being in love to picking up the pieces of a broken relationship. Betrayed by a friend. She told you she would always have your back, only to turn it when you most needed it. Betrayed by a company. The promise of promotion, opportunity, only to get laid off after decades of giving your blood, sweat, and tears. Betrayal hurts.
As I write this, I am reminded that Jesus was betrayed. Jesus wasn’t just betrayed by anyone. He was betrayed by one of his best, closest friends. A friend who had followed him for three years. Jesus had poured countless amounts of hours into this friend. Jesus trusted this friend so much that He was entrusted to oversee the money taken in for the ministry. Jesus shared meals, memories, and significant moments with this friend. Just moments from this friend turning Jesus in for 30 pieces of silver, Jesus takes off his robe, gets on his hands and knees, and washes his feet. This friend is named Judas.
Judas gets a bad rap, as he probably should. However, up until the moment of betrayal, Judas is a close friend and follower of Jesus. And yet, when the opportunity presented itself, Judas betrayed his friend. And not only did he betray Jesus, but he did so in a very intimate way. ‘Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. ‘ (Matthew 26:48-49) Can you imagine the hurt that Jesus must have felt when his close friend betrayed him with a kiss to the cheek? And yet, look how he responds; ‘Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ‘ (Matthew 26:50). In their last moments together, Jesus still calls Judas friend. Remarkable. If you are hurting today, in any way, for any reason, know that there is a God in heaven who not only knows how you feel but who desperately wants to walk with you through it.
