10 Betrayed Again
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In the world when someone is hurt, especially by a person he or she loves deeply, when a betrayal occurs, the victim’s first thought is how to hurt back. I don’t think that the victim suddenly stops loving; I think the victim wants to be reunited and hopes that shared grief will forge a new bond. In the world this approach typically destroys the relationship and starts a negative spiral that turns love into hatred. In Jerusalem as in Eden there was a different response.
Eve is wearing baby blue today. “Thank you for coming with me on this journey. Even though I have bossed you around a lot lately I need your company. I will need it especially today.” The tone of her voice and the expression on her face convinced me that Eve was being most sincere.
Today is the day that we will observe Christ’s torment and betrayal. We will stay awake, but Jesus will not be aware of our presence.
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’? “ The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said,’You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her and he ate.”
“… Jesus was troubled in spirit and declared “Very truly, I tell you one of you will betray me.” “It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him.”
Jesus went on to Gethsemane where, in anticipation of the flames He would soon endure, “He threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba Father for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me. Yet not what I want but what You want.”
Upon hearing this Eve cried like a baby, no not a baby who wants to be fed, but like a person who has realized the blasted separation, the price of death, that betrayal demands. Through Eve’s heart wrenching sobs I could make out these words, “Please forgive me my Lord and my God! Please forgive me, please have mercy and forgive me. You shouldn’t have had to suffer betrayal twice.” Tears streaming down her face she cried. “Now I know the priceless jewel of loyalty. I promise you, I I give you my word.. I will never never my Lord and my God never betray you again.”
Still sobbing uncontrollably, I think I heard Eve say, “I beg of you to forgive me for I knew not what I did.”