Gut-Wrenching Betrayal
“Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”
Luke 22:54-62 (NIV)
Betrayed by a friend. Put on trial. Sentenced to death. Death on a cross. This is part of our Saviour’s story. Not just betrayed but betrayed by two friends: Judas and Peter. One led to the breaking of his body. The other to the breaking of his heart.
Peter, being one of Jesus’ closest disciples, knew what he had done as he denied knowing Jesus 3 times in one evening. He ‘went outside and wept bitterly.’ I have no doubt that fear played a big part in his denials. He knew Jesus was the Messiah, yet now that he’d been arrested – what did this mean? What was to come, for both Jesus and for him?
Yet our loving Jesus doesn’t leave Peter’s story there. His forgiveness reversed Peter’s betrayal. Symbolically, Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved him. After resounding yeses, Jesus called him to follow him and then made him the leader of his church! (John 21:15-19).
Like Moses, David, Lot’s wife, and for all others, God is more powerful than our betrayal of him. Yes, it’s gut-wrenching for him, and it should be for us too. The Spirit rebukes us as we learn to be more like him, but his agape love and mercy covers over a multitude of sin.
We can have hope that despite our inadequacies and inabilities to follow, God has the final say. And he says, ‘Follow me.’ No matter what you’ve done. No matter what you’ve become. It’s never too late and you’re never too far away to call on the name of the Lord Jesus. He loves you with an everlasting love.