Have you ever been betrayed by someone close to you? Devoted your life to someone who seized the first opportunity to sell you out for their own self-promotion? I think we’ve all been there. We have all encountered at least one Judas in our midst (if you haven’t yet, I would imagine you will sometime). In part one of this series, I shared Three Traits of a Joshua. In part two I shared Practical Tools for Becoming a Joshua. Today, I will share how to recognize when you have a Judas in your life and, more importantly, how to respond.
We all know Judas was one of Jesus’s 12 disciples. He was part of Jesus’s inner circle. Jesus poured into Judas’s life and loved him. Judas betrayed Jesus and delivered Him to be crucified. We have all experienced hurt and betrayal. Many of us have built walls to try to avoid the pain, without realizing we have only imprisoned ourselves. I want to challenge you not to hide from hurt, but to intentionally embrace the Judas(s) in your life! I know this sounds contradictory, but it will make more sense once we dive in.
As I reflect on my own life, I could list several Judas(s) I’ve encountered and compare battle wounds with you, but that would do neither of us any good. If I have learned anything from the pain of the past, it is that holding onto it rots a person from the inside out! Offense is the most deadly and deceptive disease of our generation! We are commanded to forgive. Sometimes this happens immediately, and other times it is more of a process. Either way, lean into God and pray fervently until no root of bitterness remains!
Instead of dwelling on the past, I want to provide you hope for your future by sharing the three lessons I have learned from my Judas(s), lessons I am forever grateful for:
1. Your Judas(s) serves a purpose in your life
Judas thought he was destroying Jesus, but he actually helped Jesus to fulfill His calling.
What the world uses to try to destroy you, God will use to drive you!
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NASB)
Someone may take your position or your prestige, but they can never rob you of your purpose.
Joseph’s brothers stripped him of his identity, his family, and his freedom. Yet, God used them to propel him into his destiny, and fulfill the very dream that landed him in the pit to begin with! God is so much bigger than anything anyone can try to do to harm you. Hold fast to your faith and do not allow fear to drive you to despair when you encounter a Judas. Instead, praise God, knowing that He will utilize them to help you fulfill your purpose in life.
2. Your Judas is NOT your enemy
As Jesus was being betrayed by Judas, He called him friend [Matthew 26:50]. I love how the Passion Translation words it: “My beloved friend,” Jesus said, “is this why you’ve come?”…
No matter how someone hurts or betrays you, it does not change their identity in Christ. We have all been called friends of God [John 15:15].
Your behavior toward your Judas(s) should reflect their (and your) true identity. Don’t partner with fear when you encounter your Judas. Don’t run and hide, or try to shield yourself from the hurt. Walk the situation out in grace and love. A light that is hidden cannot shine for the world, so don’t hide yourself from hurt.
I love the opportunities I receive to extend GREAT GRACE to others. Many would say I’m crazy, but it is in exactly this type of situation where God gets to be glorified and His light is able to shine brightly through us. When we can love those who spitefully use us, we show the world how amazing our God is, because it is only through Him we are able to do it! Just a few years ago God spoke to me about living my life in such a way as to: Ignite Hope, Extend Grace, and Transform the World. At the time, I had no idea how many opportunities I would be presented with to do just that! Yet as each opportunity has come, I recognize the hand of God and do my best to do just that. I still fail frequently, but my heart is pure and I can look back at those situations knowing that I did everything I could to fulfill that mandate.
When you understand Judas is not your enemy, you no longer have to fear them, and more importantly, you don’t lose sight of who your true enemy is: Satan!
- Do not be afraid of Judas: “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more they can do to you.” – Luke 12:4 (NKJV)
- Remember who the real enemy is: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12 (NASB)
3. You have been called to LOVE your Judas
Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him. Jesus could have cast Judas out or hurt Judas back, but instead, He showed us how to respond to our Judas(s) in love. [Matthew 26:19-56]
I will also note that Jesus confirmed Judas as His betrayer at the Passover Feast with His other disciples, yet the other disciples did not harm Judas either, and they still partook in the Passover Feast together. [Matthew 26:25]
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. – Matthew 5:44-45 (NKJV)
We see again how we should respond to our Judas(s) when Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt begging for grain. Joseph could have taken revenge. He could have refused to feed them, or had them enslaved or killed. Instead, he showed them great mercy and kindness. He demonstrated forgiveness and blessed them exceedingly. (Read Genesis 42-47) God desires for us to do the same each time we encounter a Judas in our own lives.
I have grown more through my experiences with Judas(s) than anything else in my life. I have been positioned and propelled by them. And while I have certainly had to walk through forgiveness, and spent a lot of time in prayer, I have been refined and have grown so much as a result! And I can honestly say I have nothing but love for them and a desire to see them fulfill the unique call on their own lives.
I pray you have been challenged and encouraged by this week’s series. What was most impactful for you? I’d love to hear your comments and feedback below!
Blessings,
Katie
