Plotting to betray

Devotion written for my church

Plotting to betray

Mark 14:10-11 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

My family is a huge fan of reality shows.  The Biggest Loser and Survivor are two of our favorites.  In both shows, the whole point is to vote the other contestants out and be the last one standing in order to win.  Of course to do so takes much plotting and strategizing.  Often times the contestants align themselves with others and “promise” to never vote for the other.  But usually, at some point those promises are broken and there is often a hurtful betrayal.  Sometimes they decide at the last minute to betray their friends, but often it is fully thought out and pondered upon. 

The Bible says that Judas sought an opportunity to betray Jesus.  Even though he was in Jesus’ inner circle, in his closest set of friends, Judas chose to live for himself rather than live for Jesus.  Judas’ heart was not protected.  He looked for a way to betray Jesus. It didn’t just happen by chance. It began with a plot.

Granted, I don’t plot or plan to betray Jesus but isn’t that exactly what I do each and every time I sin? I betray Jesus when I don’t protect my heart, when I let my flesh lead me instead of following Jesus. I abandon His ways when I think that I can handle a situation on my own instead of following him.  James 4:17 tells me I even betray Him when I know the right thing to do but don’t do it.

One of my favorite Bible stories is about Daniel and how faithful he remained when he was in captivity and forced to follow the Babylonian ways. The Bible says Daniel had resolved beforehand that he would remain faithful to God and not adopt the foreign ways.  It takes a resolve to do the right thing.  It doesn’t happen by chance.  I want to do just the opposite of Judas, I want to plot, plan and seek opportunities to stay committed and to not betray my faithful Savior.

Lord Jesus, Thank you for your loving ways. For your grace and forgiveness every time we seek it.  Help us to stay fully committed and devoted to you.  Protect our hearts when our flesh seeks to betray you.  In your name, Amen