Exodus 29:1-30:10 / Matthew 26:14-46 / Psalm 31:19-24 / Proverbs 8:14-26
Betrayal and abandonment – Jesus suffered that and much more, including a brutal death on a cross. Have you ever put yourself in His place and tried to imagine the pain both physical and emotional? I can’t even imagine. Yes, I know He was God, but His flesh would have felt every pain.
That’s why when I suffer anything, I try to put things in perspective. I don’t always succeed, but I try! And I suffered years of physical pain (more details as I share my story), as well as betrayal and abandonment. Which was worse? That’s hard to say, but I think being betrayed and abandoned may have been worse because it seems harder to escape.
Jesus knew what was coming. He knew Judas would betray Him and He knew Peter and the other disciples, men who had been his closest companions for three years, would abandon Him. His perspective on the whole story is the amazing part that we can learn from.
He forgave. He understood men’s weaknesses. He had compassion. Do we?
Honestly, I’d rather get even. I’d rather see the other person suffer… until I realize that this attitude holds ME a prisoner. So, it is for MY sake I must forgive and move on.
When we were part of a local church, before we started our home church in July, we attended and led something called Freedom Groups. Freedom groups are powerful, and if you’ve never attended one, I highly recommend you do so! One of the things Freedom teaches is forgiveness and that concept that choosing not to forgive is akin to lighting yourself on fire and hoping the other person dies. That’s terribly graphic.
But absolutely true. We forgive, not for the sake of the other person, but for our own sake. Bitterness and unforgiveness eat away at our own souls (and may also cause physical disease – yes, this is biblical!)
Who have you not forgiven? I encourage you to pray and do so right now. I’m serious. I wouldn’t let another second go by holding onto unforgiveness. Please forgive – even if you must forgive the same person repeatedly until you feel released from the burden. Your physical and emotional health are worth the exercise.
Betrayal and abandonment are resolved with forgiveness. Simple to say, harder to walk out, but worth the practice!
