Words of betrayal wound deeply.  Acts of betrayal are like a knife that cuts to our very soul.  They break our heart and fill us with hopelessness and despair.  They can rob us of our joy and deflate the delight in living.  Whether we have been betrayed by an unfaithful spouse, a rebellious child, a deceitful co-worker or business partner, a hypocritical pastor or priest, the wound of betrayal is devastating.  It can mark us and define us, relegating us to the status of victim. 

Yet we are not alone in this experience.

He was despised and rejected–a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.  (Isa. 53:30)

I imagine one of the greatest moments of grief Jesus experienced was the kiss of betrayal that marked him for the Cross – a kiss of betrayal by one of his own disciples – Judas. 

He was one of the chosen Twelve who had traveled with Jesus for over three years.  Judas had heard countless sermons.  He had witnessed profound miracles.  He had even performed miracles in the name of Jesus. 

But somewhere along the line, Judas became disillusioned with his calling.  Greed took root.  Perhaps he signed on because he thought this man of power, one who could perform amazing miracles while confounding the religious leaders, would use his power to establish a mighty kingdom on earth – a political and economic kingdom.   And, as treasurer of Jesus’ ministry, Judas must have believed he was positioned to step into a ruling place that would garner him personal power and wealth.  But Jesus hadn’t taken advantage of his power.  He had failed to seize the moment, so Judas made the decision to betray Jesus for money – 30 pieces of silver.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knew Judas’ kiss was not a kiss of greeting, but one of betrayal.  Jesus experienced the heartbreak of one of his very own betraying him.  But because Jesus experienced this heartbreak, because he was acquainted with the deep grief that betrayal brings, Jesus with compassion can reach out and bind up our broken hearts.  Remember, Jesus’ ministry began with a declaration of his mission:  to preach, to heal, but also to “bind up the broken hearted.”

He can heal our hearts.  He can transform us from victims to victors.  He can make beauty out of the ashes of betrayal.