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Luke 22:47-48: While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, Judas are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?

Betrayal is painful. The thing about betrayal is that it doesn't really hurt us if we don't love the person who does the betraying. Nobody cares if someone says or does something to us who we don't really know or care for as a person close to us. We get over criticism or mean things people say pretty easily if there is no real relationship or bond there. The thing with Judas, is that he was in the inner circle of Jesus. He was one of the original 12 disciples.  Betrayal hurts deeply, but we have a savior who can relate. This was a man who was close enough to Jesus to kiss Him! If you have been betrayed, think about what Jesus went through and find peace in Him. 

You see, often if we have been betrayed by someone, it is a situation that comes about when we are unaware. With Jesus, He knew everything, and He knew Judas was going to betray Him, and yet He still broke bread with Him, held him in the highest regards, and gave him respect. Judas had one of the most important jobs in the inner circle. Jesus was able to see past His betrayer and not give in to the temptation of stopping the whole thing. Jesus could have called him out, kick him out of the inner circle, and yet He allowed Judas to betray Him. 

Jesus knew that by doing nothing at all, the guilt alone would be punishment enough for Judas. I believe that if Judas had not taken his own life, that Jesus would have restored him just like He did Peter. Peter betrayed Jesus in a similar fashion, pretending to not know Jesus more than once. 

If you have betrayed someone, go to them, and make peace, love that person and forgive yourself. If you have been betrayed, forgive the other person, and allow Jesus to restore you. You see, Jesus is the bridge to the broken, the betrayed, and yes even the betrayer. When we show those who betray us that they are more than their actions, we allow the love of Jesus to flow to them. Likewise, when we put our betrayer into the hands of Jesus, forgive them, we will be comforted, restored, and loved by the One who counts the most. Jesus Christ, our Savior. 

If you feel betrayed today, know that Jesus will never leave you nor forsake you, and above all else, that will never change. 

Father, give us the strength to deny our flesh the desire of putting our betrayers in their place.  Help us to see past the hurt and trust in You to bring about the most beneficial situation in our lives and the lives of those who hurt us.  Help us love all people, even those who hurt us the most.  Thank You Lord for helping us trust Your plan today in our lives and to seek You and Your ways and not dwell on the ways of this world.  In Jesus name, amen.