Who Is Your Judas?

If I asked you to think of someone who wronged you, you could probably give me at least one name. I would consider myself a forgiving person most of the time, but it hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had my fair share of wrongs done to me, and I’ve also had my fair share of wronging others.

Years ago, the Lord led my husband and me to what we thought was a “perfect” church. We absolutely loved it—the pastor, the worship team, the people, all of it. After a while, we started to slowly get more involved in serving, started meeting and connecting with more people, and putting our roots down there.

One day, we found out that someone in the church had been spreading rumors about us that were very far from the truth. Unfortunately, this resulted in the church pulling away from us, despite our efforts to make things right. I remember feeling so betrayed and  hurt. I found myself asking God the famous question: “Why God?” I wanted to leave the church so badly. I felt like an island every time I went to a service. My husband, however, felt like we needed to stay until we felt the Lord direct us to leave. While I trusted his leadership, I couldn’t help but feel so angry, confused, alone, and heartbroken. How could the ones we had grown to love so much, turn their backs on us so quickly?

I remember one night, I cried out to God, asking Him how could I continue to face the people that I felt so wronged by? I heard a response: With love, grace, and patience, just as I do.

Even though Jesus knew Judas would be the one to betray Him, Jesus still stayed and ate a meal with him. He fellowshipped with Judas, knowing that that very night, he would betray Him.

Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?” And Jesus told him, “You have said it.” (Matthew 26:25 NLT)

Later, Matthew 26 says that Judas greets Jesus eagerly and with a kiss on the cheek. How does Jesus respond? He calls Judas His friend.

Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” (Matthew 26:50)

What an example of abundant grace and kindness! His love remained even in the face of betrayal.

The Lord eventually removed us from that church, and we had the opportunity to make peace with everyone prior to leaving. He taught us so much about grace and unconditional love that we would have never learned if we had acted out of bitterness and anger.

Maybe you’re dealing with a Judas in your life today, too. Maybe you’ve experienced “church hurt” or someone wronged you, and you feel angry, betrayed, and alone. My prayer at first was to be removed from the person, but the Lord wanted to teach me a lesson of His love all along.

If we are supposed to look like Christ, we must look at others as Christ would—with unconditional love and offering forgiveness, despite their actions. If Jesus could spend His life with Judas, knowing that he would be the one to have Him wrongfully killed, how much more should we give grace to those who have wronged us?

Jesus, help us to love our “Judas,” just as You did. Let us show Your unconditional love to others, even when it’s hard. Fix our eyes upon You and help us to look more and more like You each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.