BETRAYAL
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. —II Samuel 14:25
And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” —II Samuel 15:4
Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’” —II Samuel 15:10
A messenger came and told David, “The hearts of the people of Israel are with Absalom. Then David said to all his officials who were with him in Jerusalem, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.” —II Samuel 15:13-14
Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. —John 18:2-3
“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). The two betrayers in the above passages looked good on the outside, “but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25). The same satanic spirit motivated Absalom, Judas, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. As a matter of fact, all people who do not have a relationship with our Lord are in “the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants” (II Timothy 2:26).
Beware of those betrayers around us. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). And the devil works through people he has trapped and are holding them captive “him to do whatever he wants.” Anyone who does not know Jesus is in danger of being a betrayer. As a matter of fact, to be under the devil’s will is betrayal. Absalom betrayed David so he could become king, Judas betrayed Jesus so he could get money, the teachers of the law and Pharisees betrayed Jesus so they could keep their power positions. Every person who has not called on Jesus is betraying him so they can be the “god of their own lives, the captain of their own ship, the determiner of their own destiny.” That is betrayal and the betrayers seek to get others on their side to bolster their false beliefs.
Jesus said, ““Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me (Matthew 12:30). So, the question is— “A you with Jesus or opposing Him? Are you working with Him or working against Him? Your answer will determine your eternal destiny— heaven or hell. What will you choose?
Dear Father, if there are any reading this, may they call on Jesus now— https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD6khv6pGkw&t=15s Yes, may it be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son and all for Your honor and glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z1fDGbGSW0&list=RD2Z1fDGbGSW0&start_radio=1