There is a dark place in the Easter story that we all have visited. It’s called betrayal, and it competes with the pain and death of the cross in intensity. For many years I have sought understanding for myself and others concerning the behavior of betrayal. It always seems unbelievable when it comes – unexpected and unstoppable in its devastation. It happened twice in the Easter story. 

Peter was a jovial disciple who lived every moment with gusto. When he was in the Spirit, he experienced pure revelation and kingdom wisdom, but when he was in the flesh, he experienced human wisdom at its worst. He was the first disciple to realize Jesus was the Messiah, but he was also the only disciple to curse and vehemently deny Jesus.

 Mark 16:26-31, NLT

 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike the Shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.’

But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

 Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”

 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

Later that evening, Jesus was taken into custody and bound and prepared for the ordeal of the cross. Peter had watched the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, the aggressive arrest by the soldiers, and the confusion of Judas’ actions. He was angry, afraid, confused, and tired. He wondered if he would be next!

Mark  16: 66-72,  NLT

 Meanwhile, Peter was in the courtyard below. One of the servant girls who worked for the high priest came by and noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, “You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.”

 But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed. 

 When the servant girl saw him standing there, she told the others, “This man is definitely one of them!”  But Peter denied it again.

A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”

 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”  And immediately the rooster crows the second time.

Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he broke down and wept.”

Jesus had told Peter this would happen, but it was inconceivable. He would NEVER betray his teacher and friend! 

Peter’s betrayal was a fruit of his flesh, a weakness of humanity, a response to fear. It was not premeditated. He was sensitive to what he had done wrong and immediately regretted it. Jesus understood. 

The other Easter betrayal by Judas was much harder on Jesus because it was a premeditated act of the will. 

Matthew 26:14-16, NLT

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests  and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.”

Judas had a different agenda than Jesus. His will was a political revolution, a treasury full of money, and a ruling position in the new order. Jesus’ agenda was the cross, the resurrection, and a new heavenly kingdom. 

Judas sold out Jesus for thirty pieces of silver – the price of a female slave in the Old Testament. Jesus was removed as Judas’ teacher, mentor, and messiah and devalued to being a slave. Judas had a different agenda than Jesus and he wanted his will to triumph. He thought he was right.

This type of betrayal is seen in the story of Lucifer’s revolution against God in Isaiah 14:12-15. It is a betrayal fueled by pride and exerting one’s agenda or will above another’s. 

Mathew 26: 47-56 NLT, “ And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people.  The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.”  So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and kissed him.

Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.”

Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him.  But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.  Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?  But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

 Then Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I some dangerous revolutionary, that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching every day.  But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.” At that point, all the disciples deserted him and fled.”

Betrayal is one of the most devastating experiences life can offer. It always comes from those closest to us and those who have pledged to love and honor us. Peter-type betrayal is easier to forgive because it is born in the weakness of the flesh. The Judas-type betrayal born in arrogance and willfulness is much harder to reconcile. God gives us the grace to forgive both, but restoration only occurs when trust is earned. 

Jesus survived and triumphed over both types of betrayal, and you will too! Forgive what you can’t forget and wait for the resurrection in your life!