February 9
Matthew 26:14-46
Betrayal is a universal experience. We all have experienced someone ‘stabbing us in the back’ whether with a verbal insult, theft, or potentially physical abuse. In all of these cases, someone we loved and with whom we had experienced a closeness showed our trust had been misplaced. On his last two days on Earth, Jesus announces he would be betrayed. Judas betrays him by turning him over to his enemies and Peter would deny even knowing him. Those he loved proved to be unworthy of his love. Yet what is amazing is Jesus does not berate them or wall them off from him; instead he will die for them. His love is not earned but graciously given.
What a powerful challenge for us when we experience betrayal. We need wisdom to place boundaries to keep us safe, but we also need to make sure we are willing to show love and grace, even to those who have betrayed us. When we are betrayed our natural response is anger and a desire for vengeance. The supernatural response modeled by Jesus is love and grace. Jesus models how to remain faithful in love to the end. So let us choose the path of Jesus instead of the disciples and let us choose to love even those who have hurt us.
Father God, help me to share the love and grace I have received from you with others. Help me to walk in grace and love for all people. Amen.
How can you learn to respond with love and grace instead of anger and vengeance when you have been hurt?
Betrayal is a universal experience. We all have experienced someone ‘stabbing us in the back’ whether with a verbal insult, theft, or potentially physical abuse. In all of these cases, someone we loved and with whom we had experienced a closeness showed our trust had been misplaced. On his last two days on Earth, Jesus announces he would be betrayed. Judas betrays him by turning him over to his enemies and Peter would deny even knowing him. Those he loved proved to be unworthy of his love. Yet what is amazing is Jesus does not berate them or wall them off from him; instead he will die for them. His love is not earned but graciously given.
What a powerful challenge for us when we experience betrayal. We need wisdom to place boundaries to keep us safe, but we also need to make sure we are willing to show love and grace, even to those who have betrayed us. When we are betrayed our natural response is anger and a desire for vengeance. The supernatural response modeled by Jesus is love and grace. Jesus models how to remain faithful in love to the end. So let us choose the path of Jesus instead of the disciples and let us choose to love even those who have hurt us.
Father God, help me to share the love and grace I have received from you with others. Help me to walk in grace and love for all people. Amen.
How can you learn to respond with love and grace instead of anger and vengeance when you have been hurt?
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1 Comment
I find it really challenging to find a healthy balance between loving untrustworthy people and setting protective boundaries. Praying for the Lord’s wisdom in this.