When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”…
This somber moment in the intimate circle of friendship that Jesus created reminds us of the difficulty of community. The greatest teacher, leader, and friend that has ever existed experienced the brutal pain of betrayal and rejection. Jesus’s knowledge of the betrayal of Judas neither lessens its sting nor its severity.
Maybe you have experienced betrayal or rejection in a Christian community. Maybe you saw it coming, or maybe you didn’t. The pain and injustice of moments such as these can cause us to run from engaging in community with other Christians, but let us not forget that Jesus wasn’t even impervious to this sort of experience.
There is something else that we see in this moment, however. We see that though Jesus knew of the betrayal, and even though God was using the sin of Judas to accomplish a greater goal according to His purpose, it did not excuse the sin or condone the act.*
How often are we hurt by others or experience loss through the pain of death and hear these words, “well, it will all work for the good”? Or, “one day you will see how this will work best for you”? The sinful betrayal of Judas was not an isolated incident (Peter denied Jesus as well), but it was real. Though God used it for the good of all of mankind, it did not excuse the event.
Can God use your pain for your good? Yes. Can God use loss and trauma and turn it for positive outcomes in your life? Yes. Does that mean it doesn’t hurt? No. Does that mean that justice dies with an end that justifies the means? No.
Sadly, we as humans can hurt each other, and we do far too often. Jesus knows your pain, and while He can turn it for your good, it’s worth grieving.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to acknowledge the pain you have experienced. Perhaps God wants you to bring the pain to Him. Maybe He wants you to forgive those who have hurt you. Perhaps God wants to speak to you about others that you have hurt.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 653–662, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt Mt 26:17–30).) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).