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.