Feasting at The Table - Serving Love for Betrayal

When someone betrays us, the first thing our human nature tells us to do is to seek revenge, retaliate, hurt  them like they hurt you. 

Especially if you have been loyal or faithful to this person and they backstabbed you. The anger that wells up in us is not normal nor healthy.

Everyone knows someone who betrayed them. Or we may have betrayed somebody. If you're in this position, today is your day for a breakthrough. Amen?!

Because chances are if you're in that position, you are walking in un-forgiveness. Chances are you may have already come through such a situation and you may have something to share that will help someone else.

The Holy Spirit is asking us today to serve love for betrayal. 

The Bible contains numerous examples of individuals, especially Jesus, showing love and serving others even in the face of betrayal. 

 

1. There's the story of Jesus and one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, in John 13:1-30.

 

Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, but washed Judas' feet as He did all of the other disciples.

Reading from the NLT version of The Bible: John 13:1, 11 and 25-26 - “Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.”

 

2. Joseph and His Brothers - Genesis chapters 37-50. 

 

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and yet he later forgave them and provided for them during a famine. 

Genesis 50:19-20 “But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

3. David and Saul: Story found in 1 Samuel 24:1-22.

 

King Saul repeatedly tried to kill David out of jealousy, but David spared Saul’s life when he had the opportunity to kill him.

1 Samuel 24:9-12 “Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the Lord’s anointed one.’ Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me. “May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you.”

 

4. A story seldom referred to is that of Hosea and Gomer found in chapters 1-3 of the book of Hosea.

 

Hosea was commanded by God to marry Gomer, who was unfaithful to him, as a representation of God’s love for Israel despite their betrayal.

Hosea 3:1 “Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.””

 

5. Stephen and His Accusers - Acts 7:54-60.

 

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, prayed for those who were stoning him to death.

In verses 59-60 it says “As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.”

 

And #6. Again, the very well known account of Jesus praying for His executioners while He was on the Cross. He not only prayed for them, but He forgave them.

We can read Luke 23:32-43 but I want to highlight verse 34 “Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” 

Family we are reminded that even in situations of deep betrayal, we are called on to demonstrate the love of God and the power of His grace and mercy.

 As Christians, we are to serve love for betrayal, respond to betrayal with forgiveness not retaliation. 

Betrayal hurts deeply, but forgiving frees the betrayed and can potentially restore relationships. 

The Bible encourages us in Ephesians 4:32 “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Matthew 5:44 encourages us to love our enemies - “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

We also know that no matter what anyone does to us, our God fights our battles. He is the Ultimate Judge.

Romans 12:17-19 “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.”

And when everyone is expecting you to retaliate, as the good Christian we are, we show grace in unexpected ways. 

Proverbs 25:21 “If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.”

Family, we can find strength in God to love despite the pain these situations cause us. It's not easy in our humanness. We definitely need to rely on God’s strength to make this happen.

Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

This very day, we can decide to choose love over bitterness, we can decide to serve love for betrayal, reflecting the love of Christ in our lives.

aub - 4Dec24

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