Between games Jamal’s friends started a conversation that soon degenerated into Muslim bashing. Though Jamal disagreed with his friends and believed that we are all God’s children, he said nothing. Diana saw a nerdy freshman boy being harassed and bullied by an athlete two years his senior. She turned her head away and continued to walk down the hall to her next class. As a disciple of Jesus Diana knew that she should intervene but she chose not to do so.

We don’t know why Judas betrayed Jesus. His actions could simply be blamed on evil influences. Many speculate that Judas might have wanted to force Jesus’ hand and force him to lead a revolt against the Roman oppressors. The betrayal could have been caused by greed. Just like we don’t understand Judas’ motivation, we frequently can’t understand why we betray Jesus by what we say and do or by what we don’t say and don’t do.

Even though betrayed, Jesus was ready to forgive. Judas, however, was overwhelmed by his actions and ended his life in guilt and shame. Peter denied Jesus three times. Unlike Judas, Peter accepted Jesus’ forgiveness and continued to live as Jesus’ disciple. We too can receive God’s unconditional forgiveness, shed our guilt and shame and continue to live as imperfect but loved channels of God’s love and grace.

Mark 14:10-11

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him.