TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. Mark 14:10
Read: Mark 14:10-31
Listen: Mark 14
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus knows betrayal is coming. He’s going to be betrayed and then abandoned. Jesus’s betrayer sits right there at the table with him. He’s eating the same meal. But later that night, he will turn Jesus over to the authorities with a kiss. While that’s the betrayal that gets Jesus arrested, it’s not the only betrayal. He’s going to end up alone and arrested. He knows the other disciples will leave him and even predicts Peter’s verbal denials. It’s betrayal by those closest to him.
Jesus loved us so much to undergo a betrayal he knew was coming. This gives us a window into who Jesus is. He knows what it feels like to be betrayed by those closest to us. There’s a lot of pain in life, but one of the hardest types of pain is when we feel betrayed, abandoned and deserted by someone who is close. Maybe it is a spouse who walks out, a business partner who forces us out of the company, a friend we shared confidential details with or a child who turns their back on us. In those moments, trust is broken. It’s betrayal. We can begin to wonder if God even cares. Watch this video as Pastor Jeff Manion tells us Jesus has been there. In fact, he gave his life for us.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Use this prayer to bring the pain caused by a betrayal to Jesus. “God, betrayal hurts. I know you went through it. I’m still struggling from when I was betrayed by ____________. Help me trust you with that situation and move past it because I know you’ve been through it. I know I’m not alone because you’re with me. Help me see myself as someone who is deeply loved by you.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
GALATIANS 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
