In the last couple weeks I had learned of someone making up false stories and general bad mouthing; it was personal and it got to me. This was someone I had been nothing short of caring towards; I gave them food, clothes, and lent an ear and soft heart. So when I first found out of their behavior I was shocked, in disbelief. As I learned of the full truth, my simmering emotions slowly turned into a boiling anger; I stewed about it; I let it burn me up. I wanted to publicly call them out, insisting on an answer as to why they would be so nasty and mean.
Does that feel familiar? I know my story is not uncommon; we’ve all been backstabbed at one time or another. We’ve all been victim to bullying, false gossip, or simple meanness. What are we to do in times like this?
Well, what I know is that in this body and mind, I will never, EVER, be like Jesus… There are a zillion reasons why; but, the one that stands out most is that I would have not been nice to Judas. “Not being nice” is putting it mildly. It is one thing to forgive after the fact – but to forgive and keep forgiving DURING the act(s)? Yeah, I’m just not there yet…
We all know that Judas Iscariot was a jerk of a guy when he sold out Jesus for a handful of silver. He also selfishly ripped off Jesus’ ministry by basically stealing money from the offering basket as Jesus’ entourage went from town to town. As if that wasn’t enough bad stuff, I can only imagine the things Judas would say under his breath or even to others. In fact, come to think of it, the Bible really doesn’t have anything good to say about Judas…he seems to have no redeeming qualities. He appears to be rotten to the core. So how on Earth did Judas get into the “disciple club”? Very perplexing!
Surely Jesus KNEW about Judas’ heart; He had a way of seeing through people’s masks and directly into their heart. Dare I say Jesus could read people’s auras… But, did Jesus know that Judas would ultimately betray Him?
The answer is yes; there are many references in the Bible that demonstrate Jesus’ pre-knowledge of betrayal. The examples are numerous, too many for this post, but here is one wild comment from Jesus as He talked to his disciples in John 6:70 - Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (do you think that made Judas squeamish - did he already know he was messed up?).
So why did Jesus let Judas be a part of His ministry; why did Judas get that privilege?
As I see it, the answer is a mixture of fulfilling prophecy, doing God’s will, and showing grace. It’s true that Jesus came here for people like Judas; we know this when He said, “For I have not come to call the righteous, but for sinners” Matt 9:13. So, not only did Jesus take a huge step in humility by leaving Heaven and donning Himself in imperfect human skin, but also by choosing people like Judas (who would reject Him) to surround Him.
As I was going through my hidden anger toward this person who wronged me, I suddenly realized that the character of Judas, as a CHOSEN disciple, is a huge lesson that isn’t talked about nearly enough. This relationship between Jesus and Judas was somehow my positive example to look to for instruction when I become a victim.
Jesus reached out to Judas with love – knowing Judas had bad intentions. I think Jesus chose Judas as a disciple to also show that everyone gets a fair chance. It really BLOWS my mind that Jesus knew that Judas would eventually betray Him – but it didn’t stop Him from loving Judas and reaching out to him.
Every day there are Judas’ in our midst. Betrayal, it is human behavior at its worst. And when it happens to us it’s crushing. Yet it’s a simple fact of life that it WILL happen. Turning the other cheek during betrayal is a hard lesson, but it was demonstrated through the actions taken towards Judas. I guess all I can do is try…
What is your reaction when someone takes an uncalled for or unfair hit at you, your family, your job, your church…your God?
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Sherry,remember about the grade i thought i made on my test?It was a similar situation.I felt like i was being taken advantage of by someone very lonely & almost alone in this world.But you notice that word I,that was most of the problem.Too dang selfish I was.I was asking for advice from a very special friend & praying to Jesus for guidance.And i would jump back in head first the next day because although the ”human” advice i was getting was very sincere,there was something tugging me back to this person,Jesus of course.This all started about 6am last thursday has went on til yesterday.I almost made a HUGE mistake by letting my selfishness get in the way and listening to human advice(not that it is always bad)God worked it out for me.Brother Nathan said Sunday our passions do not come without suffering.For me this was a lesson in faith,endurance,patience,prayer,LOVE and many other things.Its hard being a doormat sometimes but at least we have the privledge of knowing the people we are helping have clean feet.(Bad i know)I know its kind of a simple saying but i did keep asking myself ”what would Jesus do?”And with that came a real simple answer.Forget yesterday and jump back in head first today.We have a life preserver waiting when we need it. My ”random thoughts” for the day. hmm you already got that.Maybe we can call it “Simplistic views from West Kentucky”
But I like my anger…I don’t want to love my enemies. When I have been wronged I feel victimized and being a victim frees me up to demonize those who have hurt me. It’s kind of like a free pass to do evil to someone else. An eye for an eye. Two wrongs make a right. If you can’t say anything nice, say something mean. Do unto others as they have done to you. Take the log out of your own eye and hit your enemy over the head with it!
“Take the log out of your own eye and hit your enemy wiht it” – that has got to be one of my favorite Hezekiah verses!! Well played Hezekiah, well played!
That’s just how I roll today!
Really (truthfully) I kinda roll like that too…isn’t it human nature? But I also see that those feelings are not helping me – so I gotta knock it off and get off my pity party seat. But, again, I really get all frustrated about those Judas’ peps – I let them steal my good mojo! (that would be my bad)
I am so sorry that happened to you! I can’t imgaine why someone would make up stories or bad mouth one of the most amazing women I have the pleasure of knowing!
When I felt betrayed by a “friend” a few months ago I went through similar emotions you did. I was shocked and so devastatinglu hurt at first. Then I was angry. I wanted to not only call them out but do it in front of others! I ended up meeting with someone who helped me to realize that i needed to take all the hurt I was feeling, and feel hurt, BE angry and then give it to God. I am not so good at that so I kept taking it back for awhile. I got tired of that and decided that carrying around the hurt and anger was not helping me, and I finally let it it go. I did a lot of crying, and praying and I still do not understand it, but I think/hope I handled it well. I remind myself that on this earth, Satan loves it when I give in or think about giving in to my more human traits! I tried to be graceful, and I hope I accomplished that!
♥♥ you!
I get very angry. I just don’t deal well with being betrayed. I have been often and it seems that the ones that do it are the one’s I’ve invested the most in. Of course those are really just the ones I notice because I am invested in them.
This makes me not want to trust/invest in other people so I find that I have to get grace from God so I can extend grace so that I can live grace. Yeah, confusing.
I’m so sorry that someone you were so nice to has hurt you as they have. It’s so defeating (to me at least) when that happens. But your reference to Judas as a comparison was so enlightening! It wil make me think twice next time something like this happens to me.
Oh yeah, it’s tough. We had a church fall apart because of one bad-mouther. In some cases, the people have to band together to protect the body. No one wants to do that, but sometimes it’s what it takes.
This situation is that of true testing. All I can say is I do the best I can at the time I react. If the Spirit speaks to me and gives me a different path to take then that I’m on, I try to listen, act and learn from it. Because of my sinful nature I don’t always succeed, but yet I try and try again. I believe that’s a part of being obedient. We are constantly being changed. We are the Potter’s clay. I’ll stop my rambling!