The dictionary defines betrayal as:
to reveal unconsciously, to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty, to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling, to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to: to betray one's friends, to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence.I want to focus on the definition that states; to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to: to betray one's friends.
I know that this is a rough topic to think about, let alone talk about; but I believe it is one that needs to be addressed. All of us, at some point in our lives will be or have been betrayed by people we care about. No one is immune from this.
Betrayal can come in many forms and from many people, even those we never thought would hurt us. Jesus knows the feeling of betrayal all to well.
Luke 22:1-6
"1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, 2 and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. 3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present."
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, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
One of the men who was closest to Jesus betrayed him for some silver coins. Judas was with Jesus daily, living with Him, serving with Him and learning from Him. Yet in the end, he betrayed that friendship and doomed his friend to death. (I know it was God's plan, just wanted to show Betrayal in other places)
I know when I am hurt and feel betrayed, I built up walls around my heart. I figure that if I don't let anyone in, they can't hurt me and I will be safe from Betrayal. But sweet ones, we aren't meant to live in our private fortresses, locked away from other people. The bible calls us to live in community with one another and that gets messy.
I could go on but you get the point. We aren't created to be alone, we aren't meant to walk this world alone. God gave us a beautiful community of people who believe in Him and who are looking to Jesus for guidance. I know that we are taught to be a one man show, "I don't need anyone, and no one needs me" That is a lie, we were created to work together and help one another. To bear one another's burdens. That voice telling you to put on a smile and say everything is fine is the devil. He has everything to gain in keeping you alone, but our Jesus wants so much more for us. He loves you beyond reason and He knows that we need community. He knows that sometimes, the only way you will hear Him speaking to you is through the voice of a friend.He knows the pain of betrayal, yet He calls us to be transparent with people, He knows that the pain of betrayal can not compare to the pain of living apart from His people, Don't hide away in your fortress, grab that sledgehammer and start tearing down walls. He has so much more for you beyond the walls you built.
Psalm 7:1 "O Lord my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me."
