Don’t Despair
People are always drawn to betrayal stories!
One of the most famous of all is Julius Caesar being betrayed by Brutus. Brutus was a Roman senator who had actually been pardoned by Caesar for an earlier conspiracy against the Roman Republic. He became friends with Caesar but eventually became convinced that his leadership would lead Rome astray. He plotted to kill Caesar, and famously did so on the Ides of March 44BC.
In Shakespeare's telling of the story, Caesar famously says "Et tu, Brute?" - "even you, Brutus?" in shock at the betrayal, as he dies.
Jesus, we know, also said something stirring as He was betrayed. As Judas handed Him over to the chief priests in the garden of Gethsemane, He said "Judas are you betraying Me with a kiss?"
Was Judas Doomed to Betray Jesus?
Christians have long pondered the fate of Judas. We know that Christ's death was prophesied - Isaiah said that it was God's will to cause Him to suffer and make His life an offering for sin.
It had to happen, even Jesus knew it had to happen. So was Judas doomed to this fate? Was he powerless to resist this betrayal? Since his betrayal ended up causing good because Christ's death was the most powerful moment in history - was he really a traitor?
I believe he was. Because I believe Jesus was ready to hand Himself over to be killed. In the end He didn't need Judas to betray Him - that only revealed Judas' true heart.
Modern Judases
There are still Judases around today. People still betray Jesus in the 21st century.
Of course, nobody can betray Him to death like when He was here in human form. But we can easily betray Jesus today - rejecting Him, leaving Him, dishonouring Him.
To betray means "to deceive, or to break trust, or act disloyally towards someone who relies on or trusts you."
Friends, don't do what Judas did. Don't get complacent, don't begin flirting with sin, don't put money before Jesus, don't fear what people think. Stay faithful – you can, with the Spirit’s help.
The Availability of God's Grace
But let me add this: if you have betrayed Jesus in one of these ways - don't despair. You see, I believe that if Judas had repented and asked for forgiveness, Jesus would have been so willing to give it.
Jesus cried out for the forgiveness of the Roman soldiers who killed Him. He restored Peter who denied Him. There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus would have forgiven Judas if he had come back in humble faith and repentance.
But sadly, he didn't. He went to his death, forever to be separated from the Christ who loved him.
Don't make that mistake. No matter how far you've gone, no matter how much you may have betrayed and hurt Jesus - His grace is bigger. His mercy is greater. You can be forgiven, if you will simply repent of your Judas-ing.
I pray that you will.
Two criminals hung beside Jesus on the cross, but only one received salvation - the one who repented and trusted in Him. On this Good Friday, consider where your trust truly lies.