Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. And they were glad, and agreed to give him money
– Luke 22:3-5
As I work with middle schoolers I tend to flashback to my own middle school days. Like my current students, there were days when I didn’t want to go to school or I had forgotten to do my Math homework. My friends were always talking about the next big game or the latest in the music charts. While that was many years ago and things have changed, the obstacles of friendships have not. Probably one of the hardest obstacles that many have faced is the betrayal of a friend.
We have all seen it happen before. One person tells a friend a big secret. The friend then goes and tells that secret to the rest of the class. The person who shared the secret is then left devastated that their secret is now out. The bond of trust becomes broken and forgiveness is hard to give.
Judas is a perfect example of how even a close follower of Jesus can be tempted by greed and the ways of the world. The devil likes to try to convince us that we have done something so wrong, so unforgivable that God can’t possibly forgive us.
We, like Judas, can feel overcome by the sin in our lives. In the end, the big question is which tree do we cling to? Do we, like Judas, turn to the tree that leads to death and suffering or to the other tree, the cross, that leads to forgiveness and salvation in Christ. In Romans 8:35-39, Paul writes that “nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus”. My prayer for you is that even in your worst moments, no matter what you have done, you can still see that reconciliation and redemption are always possibilities for all of us.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Thank you for the forgiveness I receive when I repent for doing wrong. Lord, I ask that you continue to be with me and keep me from turning astray.
Daily Reading: Luke 20
– Contributed by Sarah Bartok