Forgiveness in the Face of Betrayal

"I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me...  Friend, do what you came for."

Matthew 26: 21, 50

Jesus said these words to Judas Iscariot at the last supper and in the Garden just before he was taken.   We often look at the consequences of Judas' actions, however there is not much focus put upon Judas as a person.  Why would he do such a thing?  Judas betrayed Jesus after spending 3 years with Him.  Jesus knew all along that Judas would betray Him, yet he chose to befriend and disciple him.  I am sure that Jesus immediately forgave Judas his sin, even though He did not take away the consequences.   I also believe that Jesus continued to pray for Judas and intercede for him to His Father in Heaven- because that was the character of Jesus.

Now let us examine the difference in the works of these 2 men. 
Jesus- holy, pure, (perfect), consumed with unconditional love, forgiver, unselfish giver, etc.
Judas- betrayer, liar, focused on the thing of this world to the point of incredible selfishness.

I believe that God is saying that in the face of our corrupt political establishments, breakdown of family and individual shortcomings, we need to be more like Jesus and show love, forgiveness and seek the face of the Lord for wisdom.  Note that Jesus did not take away the consequences of Judas' actions- however at the point in which Judas brought the soldiers to "capture" Jesus, Jesus called him friend.  This shows that Jesus was able to forgive even in the face of such intense betrayal. 

This does not make sense to us in our American culture.  We want justice, and all that is right- even as we are sinners ourselves.  God died for us while we were still in that dark, sinful state.  What better way to show this than through Judas.  How different are we really? 

With the help of the Holy Spirit, let us examine ourselves, our shortcomings in character and in deed.  Help us to ask forgiveness, forgive others and pray for one another and for ourselves just as Jesus did.  I believe that we must first be made clean, taking responsibility for our actions and changing our sinful ways before we can effectively do this for others.  This is because we can forgive because He first forgave us, just as we can love because He first loved us. 

As we move into the 3rd week of our prayer and fasting, let us seek the Lord for the forgiveness of politicians and others around us, specifically the men in positions of leadership- (country, job, community, homes, or even just of themselves)- that they would begin to have their eyes opened and seek the Lord for all they need.  Pray as the Spirit moves you in this time.