The Betrayed Saviour – Love Persisting Through Pain
As I'm sure you know, Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the garden of Gethsemane. The words of Psalm 41:9 were probably ringing in His ears as Judas kissed Him: "Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me."
The Pain of Betrayal
Our Saviour knows betrayal. He knows personal pain. He knows what it's like to be hurt by somebody. We all do, of course, but think about how Jesus knows what we're going through when we face these things – He went through them Himself.
And yet, He continued to love! His love persisted through His pain. It still amazes me to think that Jesus cried out for the forgiveness of the very ones who were crucifying Him. His love for them was greater than His pain. Peter denied Jesus – but Jesus offered Him forgiveness and restoration because He loved Peter. And I am convinced that if Judas had come to the risen Christ in repentance, he too would have known forgiveness and restoration.
Love Greater Than Guilt
Jesus' whole life was about showing sinful people that they could be restored. In fact, Charles Wesley's hymn "All Ye That Pass By" captures this beautifully, he writes:
"Sinners, his life for yours he paid;
Your basest crime he bears;
Drunkenness, theft, adultery, all
Your deepest guilt he shares."
Jesus took on our sins, our betrayals, our guilt, and died on that cross, so that by believing in Him our sins, betrayals, and guilt might be washed away.
Perhaps you have betrayed Jesus in your own way. You've persisted in sin instead of pursuing that perfection we spoke of a few weeks ago. You've chosen your way over His way. You've rebelled instead of worshipping with all your heart. Or perhaps you've just become slack and indifferent in your faith.
Jesus's love is greater than your guilt!
Weep for your sins like Peter and Judas did. But come back to Him like Peter did, and hear His words offering you forgiveness.
Then turn from your selfishness, leave it in your past, and walk on with Jesus assured of His love.
