Devotion
When betrayal strikes
David Jacobs
When I first started my professional career, I had a side business that generated a good amount of income for me. My partner and I split the work evenly and it seemed that nothing could go wrong. I was happy, he was happy, and our customers were happy and kept coming back for our services. That changed quickly however, when an outsider promised my partner much greener pastures if he would abandon me and work with him. Sadly, my partner listened, and our business crumbled, as did our friendship.
I was unable to get over this event for a long time: I was betrayed by someone I trusted completely, and the promises that the outsider told my partner were impossible to keep. Shortly after starting their new business my partner was betrayed by the outsider, and we were both left alone. He came to me asking for forgiveness but I was not ready to grant him it at the time. Rejecting his request burned me up inside, making me feel more hateful and angry as a result. When I finally accepted his apology, a load was lifted off my shoulders, and we both seemed to learn a valuable lesson.
Judas is one of the most despised figures in the Bible, betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Like my partner, some of us have our price, no matter what we may believe. Also similar to my partner, I imagine that in time Judas came to despise his thirty pieces of silver, overcome with guilt. In later verses he returns the money, knowing that after Christ' condemnation they had become worthless. Jesus had preemptively forgiven him, teaching him a lesson before he had been betrayed and after. Money will come and go, but friendship and love can last much longer. The love of God...forever.
Prayer
Lord in Heaven, you have shown me the power of forgiveness. I know that I have sinned and will sin again, but you are always there. You have sent your son, Jesus Christ, to die for all of us, teaching a lesson about forgiveness and life eternal. Let me not fall into greed, or become a slave bonded to material goods. I am forever indebted and forever owe my servitude to you. Amen.
Night Prayer
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
Inspiration
We despise the thought of a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. The outside is easy to clean; it's the caked-up residue on the inside that's so difficult to remove. Jesus compares the scribes and Pharisees with dishes that have been wiped clean on the outside while dirty inside. The Pharisees took exceptional care of their outward appearance and neglected their inward spirits. We are guilty of allowing our hearts to be left filthy as well. We look and act as we should while our souls are full of darkness. We must continue to converse with the Holy Spirit daily and trust His guidance to cleanse our sinful nature.
Prayer
Dear God, Please forgive our sinful nature. We yearn for cleansing from within, so we are genuine witnesses to Your name. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
