THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL

‘’He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?” And Jesus told him, “You have said it.” Mathew 26:23-25 (NLT)

There is a Yoruba proverb which is interpreted as "The dog that wants to be lost will not hear the hunter's (redeeming) whistle”  (Ajá tó máa sọnù, kì í gbọ́ fèrè ọlọ́dẹ). This proverb clearly resonates with the account in Matthew 26:23-25 where Jesus Christ was describing the pain of betrayal to His disciples. He told them categorically that it is better if a betrayer had not been born at all than to experience the excruciating pain of betrayal. 

The above warning was a divine whistle that should have made any betrayer to suspend his or her mission of wickedness and cry for mercy. The whistle was clear and loud enough. Unfortunately, Judas Iscariot ignored the blare of the redeeming whistle and went ahead to betray his master in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. However, he never lived to spend the proceeds of that wicked transaction he consummated. Judas hung himself and his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out (Acts 1:18-19). What a shameful and painful death!

Beloved, it is sad to know that there are still many betrayers and backsliders like Judas Iscariot in the body of Christ today; many Blaise Compaorés in the camp of Thomas Sankara; many Brutes in the Empire of Julius Caesar. They have deliberately ignored the blaring whistle of the hunter and are now running errands of betrayal for the devil. They have forgotten that the law of harvest does not fail. Every seed of betrayal will definitely produce bountiful harvest of pain and agony especially for the betrayer in due season. 

‘’Someone’s forsaking the Saviour’s way’’ is a powerful hymn that re-echoes the danger of being a betrayer especially in our race to Heaven:

SOMEONE'S FORSAKING THE SAVIOUR'S WAY

Someone’s forsaking the Savior’s way;

From the flock’s safeguard he’s gone astray.

In the world’s fashion to lust and sway;

Lord, is it I? Lord, is it I?   

 

REFRAIN:

Lord, is it I? This word pierces my heart;

Sharp as a knife; oh, how deep is the smart!

If someone would from Thy portion depart,

Lord, is it I? Lord, is it I?

Someone’s rejecting the Lord today,

Taking the scheming one’s wicked way,

Grieving the Spirit as he does stray;

Lord, is it I? Lord, is it I?

Someone’s betraying the Savior’s grace,

Mammon to serve in the Master’s place,

Willingly sinking in sin so base;

Lord, is it I? Lord, is it I?

Someone’s denying the Lord today,

Shaming the Savior in such a way,

Jesus, his Friend, he would sell, betray;

Lord, is it I? Lord, is it I?

Someone’s ascending and caught away

Into Christ’s presence to rest for aye,

A crown of life to receive that day;

Lord, is it I? Lord, is it I?

My prayer is that you and I will not ignore the blaring whistle of God at anytime in our journey on earth. May all betrayers and backsliders be restored and never walk away again from the flock of Christ till He returns.

Good day, and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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