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Betrayal

Wow, here it is!  Rain, real wet drops of moisture filling up the sky and pouring down in buckets across our backyard.  Even a bit of thunder accompanied our morning storm.  It is only the 3rd time of rain since the start of the New Year.  Our area has been gypped so far from the hope of El Nino, since most of the rain has stayed up north.  Southern California has been like the forgotten step child, the one betrayed . . .

Nature seems to be in a sad struggle.  The beautiful blue Earth that came from a planet of darkness without shape or form, is betrayed by its inhabitants.  We have abused our first responsibility granted to us by our Creator as we continue to ravage, pillage and rape the land.  Within my lifetime, 50 % of animal species and fish no longer exist.  It seems that greed is our only motivation, and never being able to satisfy its urge we are willing to even betray all that we were entrusted with, even to betray ourselves. . .

Betrayal is that act of feigning allegiance or commitment to a person or matter, and then decisively giving them up or turning away from them, often in a moment of crisis.  Usually it is done as a power move for political or personal gain.  The name of Judas has historically symbolized betrayal.  He was a disciple handpicked by God to be a follower of Jesus.  He was there in every miracle, in each event and conversation that Jesus had with his disciples and the multitudes.  Judas wasn't shunned, belittled or bullied.  He had the position of being the treasurer for the group and ministry, so he must have shown trustworthiness.  At the last meal with Jesus, the other disciples had no clue that Judas was the one that in a few hours would do such a dastardly act.  There is no sting or prick like the kiss of betrayal, the moment when the betrayer is seen for who he/she really is.  Betrayal pierces the soul . . .

Betrayal is the agony of man.  All of us are Judas.  From the beginning, created beings have betrayed their Creator.  We feign allegiance with "our goodness", but ultimately we are self serving and easily deluded.  I am in awe that God would do so much to restore us in a right relationship with him.  That restoration cost Jesus, God's Son, the sacrifice of his life.  The cost included betrayal, abandonment, beatings, scourging, humiliation, mockings, nakedness, crucifixion, and death.  What infinite Creator would ever do that for a finite created being?  All for the act of betrayal . . . 

Judas seemed to have second thoughts, perhaps guilt, remorse, maybe even sorrow, as he saw what the outcome of his betrayal was going to accomplish.  He went back to the religious leaders, and acknowledged to them that he had been wrong in betraying an innocent man.  But they would not change their course of action.  Judas' betrayal got them Jesus, and they were going to put a final end to this Galilean who was trumping their power.  Judas threw back his blood money at their feet and ran out only to hang himself.  Betrayal ultimately leads to self destruction. . . 

Today, I am grateful for the rain.  It reminds me that in spite of myself, my betraying self, God still extends His love and grace to me.  Even in this day of a creation "out of control," God has not betrayed us.  His faithfulness and mercy is for all generations.

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, 
for His compassions never fail.
  They are new every morning; 
Great is Thy faithfulness."
(Lamentations 3: 22-23) 

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