HE WAS BETRAYED FIRST.

No matter how we may feel right now about our politicians or country; or friends, family and co-workers who voted differently than we did….

IT HAPPENED TO HIM FIRST.

I will confess that right now I am frustrated, disappointed, and actually do feel betrayed by so many of our country’s leaders.  I see things happening that I cannot believe, and I have asked over and over, “Can’t they see what they are doing to our country??  How can people vote for that??  Don’t they know what that means??”  The sad and simple answer is, yes.  Yes, they do.

Because when you look in the Bible, it all becomes crystal clear.  Jesus, in His last hours, experienced more betrayal with a deeper hurt than you or I will ever understand.    During His ministry, the religious leaders of His day spent their entire time ridiculing and arguing with Him.  During the last week of His life their plans to oppose and destroy Him grew.  His words meant nothing and His life meant nothing except an obstacle to what they had and wanted to continue to have.  And they would have none of it.

The most interesting betrayal to me that night is one we are experiencing right now…the betrayal by the crowd.  When Pilate presented Barabbas and Jesus to the crowd for their vote on who to release, the people loudly cried out for Barabbas.  Pilate, being completely shocked, asked one more time..”what has this man done that he deserves to die (my paraphrase)??  The crowd grew more violent and vocal, demanding Barabbas so that Jesus would be the one to die

Ever thought about how that felt to Mary, the disciples, and all the other followers?  I have.  I believe it was utter shock as well, and all the questions we are asking right now were questions that they had.  EVERYONE knew Barabbas.  Everyone knew he was a liar, thief, murderer, and much more.  NO ONE expected him to suddenly change or rehabilitate; the assumption was that he would continue his life of crime and violence.  And NO ONE cared! They knew what they were getting, yet they were so focused on killing Jesus they had lost all sense of perspective.  No longer was it about what was right, it was about what they insisted on having at any cost.

We as born again believers covered by the blood of Jesus are facing times in this country that we have never known and never thought we would encounter.  There are a lot of reactions we can choose from right now, but I am going to encourage us (me included) to choose the path of Jesus.  He had no rebuttals, He didn’t break the law trying to change it, He didn’t burn down buildings or storm palaces.  He simply prayed, committed His will entirely to God, prayed more, faced the future, endured the suffering, and pleased His Father the entire time.

The end result of course?  He WON!  He conquered everything the enemy threw at Him and doomed him to an eternal hell.  And His victory ensured OUR victory….even though it won’t really be complete till we’re home with Him in heaven. 

Take heart!  The battle is raging, it may turn into absolute war and chaos, but we know who WINS!