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Betrayal & Forgiveness

April 28, 2025

Betrayal — an ugly word and an even uglier experience — one we wish didn’t exist.

Wish as we might, betrayal is an all too common experience. Look closely at the threads of any person’s life tapestry, and you will find the crooked threads of betrayal.

We cannot interact with sinful human beings without it’s dark presence appearing at some point. In our chapel just before Easter, I shared these thoughts with our students

As the cross loomed, Jesus suffered three rather well known betrayals.

First, the crowd who went from crying “Hosanna!” to “Crucify Him!” The same crowd that Jesus had poured three years of life and love into.

Many of them swayed, I’m certain, just by the base peer pressure of the religious leaders and the cries of those around them. Be very wary of peer pressure and what the crowd is doing and saying.

Second, Judas’s kiss in the garden which identified Jesus for those coming for His life.  Judas never really knew Jesus as Lord and Savior.  An opportunist to his core, Judas saw a path to wealth.  If Jesus could overthrow Rome and become king, Judas would have access to enormous wealth and power. In the end, in his view, Jesus failed him and became just another asset to use.  

There are many that call Jesus, “Lord,” that in the end will hear the devastating words, “Depart from me, for I never knew you.”  Many today are just looking for a trusting flock to fleece. Betrayal is in their nature.

Finally, and perhaps most crushing, was Peter. The moment when he cursed and yelled, “I do NOT know Him!,” heard the rooster crow, and then Jesus turned and met his eyes…you could argue this was the worst of all the betrayals.

There are many brothers and sisters in the faith, true followers of Christ, who for a variety of reasons may betray or disappoint. It just can’t be avoided on this side of Heaven.

The main point of the message though is — as it always should be — the example of Christ.

After the betrayals, beaten and bloodied, hanging shamefully on a cross, Jesus found the strength to teach one final life lesson for us:

 “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

I imagine there could be some debate about who exactly He was forgiving, but I believe He said it and Luke recorded it as a general key principle that should guide our lives.

How could He forgive those who betrayed Him?

The answer can be found in Jesus’ words in John 6:38: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” And again as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane “…not my will, but thine, be done.”  

The hurt of betrayal often lies within our sense that our lives are to be lived for our own benefit or pleasure. When, however, we adopt the mind of Christ, we can also have the ability to realize that our lives are to be lived for His purposes alone.  

Forgiveness, for a Christian, is non-debatable. It is expected and modeled for us.  

Betrayal is real, destructive, and unavoidable. Forgiveness is the only answer. Will we live our lives for ourselves or, like Christ, learn to say “not my will, but thine, be done“?

Mr. David McClain, Head of School at FCS, shares insights relating to Christian education, biblical worldview, building Christian character, and current events. Read the Weekly Words archives here.