Luke 22:47-48, John 13:21-28  (NIV)

Jesus betrayed by Judas, is arrested. 

²¹ After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.”

²² His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. ²³ One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. ²⁴ Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”

²⁵ Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”

²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. ²⁷ As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” ²⁸ But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. *

Jesus knew who would betray him.  Jesus knew the betrayal would result in his painful death.  Jesus seems to be telling Judas when it is the right time to betray him and begin the long string of events culminating in his crucifixion and resurrection.  Jesus understood betrayal from a different perspective than most of us.  He knew who would betray him, how they would betray him and when.  Even so, betrayal hurts.  When we are close to people and they choose to act against us it hurts us.  But betrayal also hurts the person doing the betraying.  So much suffering inflicted by and upon human hearts…What is the point?

Dear Lord, please help us examine our hearts.  Help us to know when our hearts are uneasy and to take our worries and concerns to you first, for your wise counsel.  Help us to think before taking steps we later regret for a very long time.  And also, dear Father, help us forgive.  Who can understand the human heart, Lord?  It is desperately wicked.  You know our hearts, God. You look at our hearts first, when you interact with us. Heavenly Father, search our hearts and lead us in the way everlasting. Help us to forgive.  Help us to repent.  Our hope is in you, Lord.  Where else can we go?  Thank you for your gracious mercy.  Thank you that you are love and you are sovereign.  Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ.  AMEN.

* This scripture passage was taken from the NIV version of the bible on biblegateway.com.  This second prayer for betrayal for Stations of the Cross originally appeared at jaynechaseloseke.com on February 27, 2014 and at Faith Bible High School.