The Day Of Betrayal and Grace

“Why are you sleeping? — Luke 22:46

This is the day of betrayal. We are familiar with the stories of Judas who sold out Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and Peter who denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed, but the story that follows the Last Supper is filled with more betrayal than a Jack Patterson thriller. The disciples go to sleep in the garden while Jesus is entreating the Father to remove the cup. The chief priests and scribes falsely accuse a righteous man. Pilate and Herod put to death a man they know does not deserve crucifixion, and even the crowds call for the wrong man’s life. No wonder I feel so durn guilty when we repeat the Litany and shout, “crucify him.” Mankind betrays God even when he was in our presence.

It is also a day of grace because despite all the betrayals Jesus and God forgive and continue to love all. Jesus cries out “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 26:34.). God sends out his love despite the fact no one is worth–the ultimate grace.

I think this is a wonderful day to follow Christ’s lead. We all have suffered betrayals in our life, and have betrayed too. Today should mark an annual event where one forgives all the betrayals including our betrayal of self, and extend grace and love to all. How can we not?

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About the author

Webb Hubbell is the former Associate Attorney General of The United States. His novels, When Men Betray, Ginger Snaps, A Game of Inches, The Eighteenth Green, and The East End are published by Beaufort Books and are available online or at your local bookstore. When Men Betray won one of the IndieFab awards for best novel in 2014. Ginger Snaps and The Eighteenth Green won the IPPY Awards Gold Medal for best suspense/thriller. His latest, “Light of Day” will be on the bookstands soon.