Betrayal

Betrayal cuts deep. It’s the wound that comes not from the hand of an enemy but from a friend. It’s disloyalty when you thought you had loyalty, the breaking of trust you thought was secure.

It leaves you feeling surrounded and offended — replaying conversations, moments, promises — all the while asking, “How could this happen?”

But betrayal also becomes a mirror. It reveals not only where we placed our trust but in whom we placed it.

There is only One who is 100% trustworthy, 100% true, and 100% loyal. He will never fail you, forsake you, or forget you. His truth is not conditional. His love is not transactional. His faithfulness does not depend on your performance.

Think about two men who both walked closely with Jesus: John the Baptist and Judas.

John the Baptist’s faith held firm, even when he didn’t fully understand what Jesus was doing. 

“When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask Him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)

Even in his doubt, he sought truth. He waited to hear from Jesus.

Judas, on the other hand, followed Jesus with a different expectation. When Jesus didn’t come through the way Judas wanted — when His kingdom didn’t look like the one Judas imagined — disappointment grew into disillusionment, and disillusionment turned into betrayal.

When Jesus doesn’t come through the way you wanted Him to — when the answer, timing, or outcome doesn’t match your expectation — what is your response?

Do you still trust His heart when you can’t see His hand?

Do you still follow even when you don’t understand?

Betrayal may expose broken trust, but it can also deepen your dependence on the One who will never betray you.