Craig Clouston

 

Betrayal

January 23

Jesus would not entrust himself to them…for he knew what was in man.

John 2.23

Ben and Kurt were childhood friends. There friendship had stood the test of sixteen years of disagreements and reconciliations; until the day Kurt betrayed Ben’s trust when he learned Ben liked Melodie Wilson.

Ben confided to Kurt that he would like to date Melodie and asked Kurt if he would test the waters for him, so to speak. He prefaced this favor with the condition that Kurt not talk to her directly. Instead, he asked Kurt to talk to her friends to see if Melodie had ever mentioned him in conversation; and more importantly, if she liked him.

Teenage boys are likely to discard every other relationship in lieu of their first love. And that’s exactly what happened, because Kurt himself was smitten by Melodie. In the blink of an eye Ben got kicked to the curb. Kurt began spreading rumors about Ben amongst Melodie’s friends. He even lied to Melodie, telling her that Ben only wanted to get her into bed. He, on the other hand, declared his honorable intentions.

In the end, neither won her heart.

Sadly, Ben and Kurt went their separate ways, a life-long relationship abandoned because Kurt’s impetuous heart wanted what it wanted, and Ben couldn’t find it in his heart to forgive the pain of betrayal.

†

In all trust there is the possibility of betrayal. Once betrayed, the heart rejects immediate forgiveness. Instead, it becomes wary of everyone and everything. If left unforgiven the rift will widen, and a spirit of cynicism will plant seeds of doubt until they grow into a lifestyle of suspicion, that influences every thought.

Nothing and no one is exempt from its vile destruction. The heart will protect itself at all costs; you will never get close enough to hurt me again! In a doubt-ridden mind, trust and forgiveness are not open for discussion.

Jesus, knowing what is within man, is never cynical. He perfectly understands our nature, and what He can do for us. He openly invites us to trust in Him without the possibility of betrayal or abandonment.

Prayer

“I’ve been wounded many times, Lord Jesus. And sometimes it’s even been by friends. But I come today, trusting You to bring healing instead of betrayal or abandonment. Amen.”