Betrayals of the worst kind

Luke 9:43-45

         At any point in our life we know the feeling of betrayal. As children it may be as simple as one child forsaking one to play with another. It seems a betrayal. As we get a bit older perhaps it's a high school friend, then coworker and perhaps even spouse. How about betraying yourself as well?

         Nothing seems more painful or hurtful than betrayal. It would seem that the closer someone is, the more opportunity there is for betrayal. A whisper of a secret, a sacred trust not kept or any array of actions we might consider a betrayal. 

         It happens in every part of our lives. Children who are so innocent get to instinctively know our weak spots and can betray us. In a book I am reading the author speaks of being monogomish. How would we feel if our spouse, partner, lover took the sacredness shared with one and shared it with a stranger? 

          We have whole industries, television the prime example, that thrive on shows that feature betrayal ( and revenge ). Intrigue and revenge are the basic plot for success. Perhaps we are titillated by being so close to something we internally fear so much.

          There is another betrayal that I find is the deepest and most damaging of all. Betrayal of self. God created us quite uniquely. One of our life goals is to achieve wholeness, the completeness that God created us to be. It is a life journey to be fully human and to be totally what God created us to be. Imagine the life of someone who denies their nature.  It is a sin of monumental proportions to not be or at least not strive to be all that God created you to be. When my son was in grade school we were informed of his higher capacity to learn and comprehend. We tried to made sure he knew that whatever he did in life, he was to use his talents to the max. He was to respect his giftedness, nurture his giftedness and to use his giftedness. We explained that to those who are give more ( in any way ), more is expected of them. To  not do this is a betrayal. My daughter is also very accomplished and the same message went to her.  Betraying yourself can be the worst kind of betrayal.

           Lest we think we are alone in this I would hasten to point out how our God feels about this. We are not alone. Imagine your closest friend. You hang with him, you break bread together, travel together. In your deepest moment of need, a time I would use to define what a true friend is, that friend bails on you. Isn't that what Peter did to Jesus? On top of the whipping, the embarrassment, the humiliation, the crown of thorns and perhaps some self doubt, Peter says "Jesus? Who?"  Could we handle that kind of betrayal and remain friends?

             Life seems full of betrayals of one sort or another. We really are not sure if the barbs of betrayal are intentional or not. We cannot see into others' minds and their intentions. We can only deal with how we handle such things. What we can do is be true to ourselves. We must not betray ourselves.

         We simply must always love.

   

And all were astounded at the greatness of God.While everyone was amazed at all that he was doing, he said to his disciples, ‘Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands.’ But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was concealed from them, so that they could not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.