Disappointment - Jeremiah's Vow

Lent 2022 | Day 38: Betrayal

During the night of the Last Supper, at the conclusion of the meal, Jesus tells the disciples that one among them would betray him.

As we approach the end of the season of Lent this year, we enter into the events that occurred prior to Jesus’s execution on the cross of Calvary. There are many things that occurred during that final week. Some of them encouraging and serving as reminders of God’s grace toward us as followers of Jesus. But some other events can remind us of how dark life can get when we lose our way.

The one event that comes to mind in this final week of Jesus’s life was the decision made by Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus into the hands of the high priest and his followers. During the night of the Last Supper, at the conclusion of the meal, Jesus tells the disciples that one among them would betray him. All of them looked around unsure as to who it could be. And while we are given no indication that anyone suspected Judas of being the betrayer, the biblical record indicates that Judas knew Jesus was talking about him.

It is so hard to describe or adequately articulate the feelings associated with an act of betrayal. The feelings and thoughts that emerge when that breach of trust is finally exposed can leave very deep emotional and spiritual wounds.

We can only imagine how Jesus felt knowing who would be the catalyst for the events that would lead to his death. And then for the other disciples to learn who among them had cast aside all they had seen in and through Jesus for 30 pieces of silver must’ve been a great shock.

While we would like to think we are not capable of such an act, the truth is not only are we capable in the right circumstances but we let ourselves off the hook for the small betrayals we commit against our own consciences and integrity. I do not mean to malign anyone or to falsely accuse anyone without cause. My intention is to reveal how easy it can be to judge the motives of another while giving a lenient interpretation of our own motives.

This entire topic is so difficult because it requires an omniscient mind in order to understand the multitude of contours that go into the decision. It can be overly simplistic to think that people commit a betrayal in a moment. The truth is the final act of betrayal is the culmination of a journey away from what one believed to be true at some point in the past.

I find it hard to believe that when Judas was called by Jesus he intended to betray him three years later. But at some point in his time walking and talking with Jesus he became discouraged with how Jesus was doing his ministry in the world. And that seed of doubt continued to grow until it bore the fruit of betrayal against Jesus.

We must all be careful what we allowed to grow in the soil of our heart. Because we do not know when that seed of doubt will bring forth its fruit in our lives. Again, my intention is not to scare anyone but to encourage an intentional awareness of those things that could take root in our minds and hearts.

While the season of Lent is coming to an end and we turn our attention to rejoicing in God’s faithful salvation through Jesus, it is a stark reminder of how fragile we all can be. Judas’s act of betrayal must serve as an example of what can happen when we allow ourselves to stand in judgment over how God chooses to act in the world.

5 Reasons the Next President will Disappoint You

I don’t normally write about politics. There are several reasons. One, I am not a fan of politics in general. Two, it usually starts more arguments than useful conversation. Third, I have better things to write about. But, as I was sitting in my office and thinking about the upcoming election I realized something. Continue reading “5 Reasons the Next President will Disappoint You”

Disappointed with God

Over the last several years I have seen a change in the world and the church. No one can deny that the current state of both is nothing like it was ten years ago. It really doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you live one or what you pet social issue is, the world has changed. Some people see it “moving in the right direction” others as not. The bottom line as that line has moved.

Some of the assumptions that at one time served as the basis for our decision-making have changed. And in some cases have even been erased, never to be found again. The world has truly changed.

I talk about the change because I find myself wondering if people truly understand the consequences of their actions. Have they considered the potential unintended consequences of their actions? Or do they not care. That is not something they want to think about because it is not right in front of them. I will admit that I can take a short-sighted view as well, but that is not a sign of progress, but of immaturity.

In the end, this is what I feel. I feel that we have become a nation of children rather than mature adults. We have become petulant rather than penitent. We have become whiners rather than winsome. We have become self-centered and selfish rather than sacrificial in our living.

Over the last several weeks I have been wondering how many people who claim to be Christians will be disappointed with God when they stand in his presence? How will we feel when we find out how wrong we were about some things? Will we still want to spend the rest of eternity with a God who is so disappointing?

Do you see what has happened in our world? We have become so confused about God’s character that we have made him the scapegoat. We say to ourselves and to others, “God wouldn’t do this or that,” never really understanding that what God decides to do or not do was never really for me to know. I feel that the Church has tried too hard to speak for God rather than allowing God to speak for himself. I am glad God wrote down what he wanted us to know.

My problem is deciding whether or not I am willing to conform my life and thoughts to what he said.

I may come to the end of my days, stand before God and be disappointed. But, I pray it is not because he failed me, but because I failed to live into and up to what He desired for my life.