Surviving your betrayal

I would probably have run away a few hours previously.

I would probably have asked my real friends to fight for me.

I would have probably tried to negotiate with my betrayer.

Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. (Matthew 26 v 50)

This is such a heart-breaking verse and one all too familiar for us. The betrayal from a friend. The attack from someone you once walked with, shared food with, laughed and prayed together with. When it all unravelled I wonder if the words, “Do what you came for, friend” repeatedly tortured Judas?

Is that where the thought sits? Or is there something more?

The essence of the gospel story is that the worst thing that could ever happen was the very best thing for God’s love to be expressed to the world.  Hold this thought.

Where the betrayal sits is crucially important for you to survive your life. If it sits in the hands of Satan then it is an enemy and begs the question where is God? But if God knows about it beforehand, if He sees it coming, if it sits in His hands where Romans 8:28 is applied then the sinful actions from someone you used to call friend may indeed form the destiny of what your life was meant to be for the glory of God. That sin of betrayal that wounded you deeply has brought you into a whole new purpose of life. I have seen it in my own friends and in my own life. Why? It is because of the realisation of where the betrayal ultimately sat. The betrayer is still guilty, they still have to give an account for what they did but you are free, for the control is not with them or Satan but with you and God. Jesus shows us at this moment He is in control of His own destiny. “Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him,” this had to happen. It sat in the hands of God.

Jesus had said to his disciples, “You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14) If you know that God is more in control of your life since you surrendered it to Him than anyone else, then the ‘friends’ of your life are those people who give the opportunity for what is commanded in your life to be revealed. That applies to the good and to the bad. To those who are speaking for you or against you.

Your friend maybe someone who has totally misunderstood the mission God has given you. Your friend maybe someone who has handed you over. Behind your friend the enemy maybe at work but because of what this has and is producing in you so that God can be seen then perhaps this friend really is a friend even if you no longer walk with them!