When Betrayal is Part of the Plan | 2025 Lenten Devotional | Day 33

Jesus faced betrayal from the disciples when they fell asleep while Jesus went to pray. Have you ever been in a situation far from your own understanding and you just want out? The people that said they would be there for you and by your side still don’t understand the sorrow in your heart that you deal with. Even the burden of your existence becomes too heavy for you to carry. In times like this, sometimes you don’t want the life, the gifts of God, the burden that comes with the path you are on. So what do you do, even when what you’re asking for in prayer isn’t being answered in the way you would like? Jesus was feeling that same heavy sorrow in his heart. Sometimes we have to adopt the heart of Jesus and look past our own understandings. We all know how tough this life gets, but the assignment is so much bigger than us individually. The lessons from our struggles go far beyond the pain we face in that moment. God utilizes us for His glory and will, and it is the ultimate honor to be a servant of the Lord. We can’t focus on the people God put in our life whose intentions change even after they themselves agreed to be part of our life. We have to focus on the mission and complete the assignment, because if your relationship with God is strong, He will give you the discernment to identify who will betray you and how they will betray you, like Jesus knew about the disciples. So my question to the passage and the people, is it betrayal...or part of the assignment?

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Matthew 26: 40-56

40 He came back to the disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you stay alert one hour with me? 41 Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak.” 42 A second time he went away and prayed, “My Father, if it’s not possible that this cup be taken away unless I drink it, then let it be what you want.”

43 Again he came and found them sleeping. Their eyes were heavy with sleep. 44 But he left them and again went and prayed the same words for the third time. 45 Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Will you sleep and rest all night? Look, the time has come for the Human One[a] to be betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up. Let’s go. Look, here comes my betrayer.”

Arrest

47 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, came. With him was a large crowd carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests and elders of the people. 48 His betrayer had given them a sign: “Arrest the man I kiss.” 49 Just then he came to Jesus and said, “Hello, Rabbi.” Then he kissed him.

50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came and grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

51 One of those with Jesus reached for his sword. Striking the high priest’s slave, he cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, “Put the sword back into its place. All those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I’m not able to ask my Father and he will send to me more than twelve battle groups[b] of angels right away? 54 But if I did that, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that say this must happen?” 55 Then Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me, like a thief? Day after day, I sat in the temple teaching, but you didn’t arrest me. 56 But all this has happened so that what the prophets said in the scriptures might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left Jesus and ran away.