Moments of Betrayal

“And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’” – Luke 22:47-48 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt betrayed? How did you handle it? Did you point blame? Did you lash out? How did Jesus handle betrayal?

“Betrayal” is a word no entrepreneur or leader wants to ever have to utter. It means discovering someone you thought was with you is actually working against you. There is no greater pain for an entrepreneur or leader than the pain of betrayal.

All of us who are students of history are familiar with the betrayal of Roman dictator Julius Caesar by his close friend and successor Marcus Junius Brutus. “Et Tu, Brute?” Shakespeare used this Latin phrase meaning, “And you too, Brutus?” to represent Caesar’s last words to Brutus at the moment of his assassination. Caesar had no idea that Brutus was plotting with his enemies to assassinate him until the day of his death. Even if Caesar never uttered these words, imagine the shock when Caesar discovered that his good friend has been plotting with his enemies to kill him.

“Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” — Luke 22:48 (NKJV)

These were Jesus’ words when Judas brought the chief priest, the captains of the temple and the elders to arrest Him. Of course, unlike Caesar, Jesus knew that He would be betrayed and who would betray Him.

“Now as they were eating, He said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.’ And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, ‘Lord, is it I?’ He answered and said, ‘He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me.’” – Matthew 26:21-23 (NKJV)

Imagine how Jesus felt knowing not only that He would be betrayed but who would betray Him. How would you handle knowing you have a traitor in your organization and who that traitor is? Jesus did not attempt to get rid of Judas but continued to proceed with what He believed to be God’s plan for His life. He neither allowed Himself to be intimidated by it nor distracted by it. Rather, He recognized that His Father was in control of His destiny and would not permit anything to happen to Him that was not a part of His plan for His life.

“The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.” – Matthew 26:24 (NKJV)

Jesus also trusted God to protect Him and take vengeance on His behalf. You may be tempted to think that because Jesus is the Son of God, that of course God would protect Him. Well, you have the same promise for divine protection that Jesus had. Here God’s promise to you from 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” And if that is not enough, here is what He says in Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

With these verses in mind, how should you handle betrayal?

1. Always pray that God will reveal and expose any works of the enemy within your organization toward you and others.
2. Should God reveal any such works to you, seek God’s will concerning how to handle the person or situation.
3. Trust that God will work all things together for your good.
4. Pray for the person.
5. Confront the situation without attacking the person.
6. Address the facts and not your fears.
7. Trust that vengeance is the Lord’s.

What was the difference between Caesar and Jesus? Both were killed, but the death of one brought hope and redemption to the world as well as the launch of a new movement that continues to this day. The other brought about the end of an empire. The difference is that one operated according to God’s plan for their life while the other was a victim of his own doing. Which one would you rather be?

My prayer for you today is that God will give you the discernment to recognize betrayal within your organization and the wisdom to handle it according to His will.