Jesus Knows How You Feelनमुना

Jesus Knows What It Feels Like to Be BETRAYED

You thought she was your best friend…until she found a new group of friends. Or maybe your good friend is the one talking about you behind your back. Or maybe he’s the friend who made fun of you in a room full of people.

Most of us have been betrayed by a friend. Sometimes it’s in small ways and sometimes in really big ways. No matter what, it always stinks.

We’re not alone. Jesus was betrayed by His friends too. 

There’s Judas, a friend in Jesus’ inner circle who turned Jesus over to the religious leaders for a few bucks. Judas chose cash over friendship and didn’t seem to care about the consequences Jesus would suffer.

But Judas wasn’t the only one who turned his back on Jesus.

When Jesus was arrested, is closest friends deserted Him. They were scared of getting caught themselves and so they left Jesus to face things on His own.

Actually, there was one friend who stuck around…for a little while anyway. Peter followed Jesus at a distance as the soldiers took Him away. When Peter was recognized, he denied even knowing Jesus. Not once, but three times, Peter said, “I don’t know the man!”

Imagine what Jesus must have felt when is friends where nowhere to be found, when Peter turned his back on him.

Hurt. Upset. Disappointed. Once again, Jesus chose to experience each one of those emotions.

If you know what that feels like, you’re not alone. Jesus has been there too. Tell Him about what happened. Tell Him why it hurts.

While you may feel alone, there is someone who will never betray you and never leave you. After He rose from the dead, Jesus said these words to His friends – and to us:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

REFLECTION

Describe a time you were betrayed by a friend. What did you do?

DISCUSSION

How do you think God wants to respond when we are hurt by a friend? (Read John 21)