Betrayed by a Kiss
Holy Week – Season of Passion
Chances are we know the pain of betrayal, whether small betrayals, like friends ditching us in order to be with other friends or breaking promises, or larger betrayals, the betrayal of infidelity, or betrayal on the job by those who take credit for our ideas or work.
Judas betrayed Jesus, handed him over for thirty pieces of silver. There are those who propose that Judas was only doing what Jesus wanted, that somehow Jesus was in cahoots with Judas to bring about his downfall. It was a dirty job and someone had to do it. That someone was Judas. Perhaps, but what if Judas hadn’t betrayed Jesus? What if it wasn’t God’s will that Jesus die at that particular time and in that manner? Perhaps this was God once again doing what God does so well–bringing good out of evil.
Just as good can come out of a break-up if it brings you into a better relationship, or a betrayal at work might be the final impetus you needed to leave a job and strike out on a different career path, God brought good out of Jesus’ death, Judas’ betrayal.
We just don’t know. If Judas hadn’t betrayed Jesus, chances are someone else would have. It was just a matter of time.
Whether Judas was an unwitting instrument of God’s will or simply a fallen individual, we don’t really need to know. Judgment belongs to God. What we do know is that Jesus knew the pain of betrayal and knows our pain as well when we are betrayed.
We have a God who knows what it is to be betrayed, looked down upon, spit upon and cursed. We have a God who suffered for us and suffers with us to this day.
What other religion can claim as much?
Then one of the Twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?” Matthew 26:14-15
This post is part of a series of reflections on the Church year. click here to follow blog
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