When You Loved and They Betrayed – Now What?

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Have you ever been betrayed by someone you loved?

You thought you could trust them. You were close and believed they would be part of your life forever.

Even today, you may not know what happened, but suddenly, they were gone, and the lies they told about you turned your life upside down.

I’ve been there. Maybe you’ve been there, too.

And so has our Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Jesus was deeply troubled, and He exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

John 13:21

The extent of Jesus’ love always amazes me. He knew the hearts of His followers. He knew that Judas was going to betray Him, and yet, He welcomed him into the group of twelve and loved him. He even allowed him to handle the finances.

John began this account with the following words of Jesus…

“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’”

“I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I AM the Messiah.”

John 13:18–19

I sometimes wonder, if I had known what the person who betrayed me would do, would I have opened my heart so wide?

Jesus did. The Son of God and our Savior loves freely. He always has, and He always will.

It’s humbling to think about. God’s love is offered to everyone everywhere. We either humbly receive it through Jesus or reject it through pride.

Peter, who sat with the disciples that night, later wrote…

The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

2 Peter 3:9

Although Jesus knew what Judas was about to do, He loved him and gave him every opportunity to change his heart and mind.

I want to love like Jesus.

Yes, it means we will be betrayed sometimes, and that’s not something we enthusiastically sign up for. But we are loved, and we’re called to love.

Paul described it like this…

Love is patient and kind … Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:4a, 7

The others in the room couldn’t understand. How could any one of them betray the Lord?

Prompting John to ask…

“Lord, who is it?”

John 13:25b

And Jesus replied…

“It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when He had dipped it, He gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.”

John 13:26–27

Jesus didn’t ask the disciples to stop Judas, nor did He try to stop him Himself. That’s how much Jesus loves. That’s the extent of His love for you, me, and every created being.

Our Savior “wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4)

That’s how much He loves. Not because of what we do but because of who we are. He is the definition of love. He is patient with us, working in and around us, wanting us to turn to Him in faith for forgiveness.

Oh, how God loves us. May we, by grace, remember His example and ask Him to work in us and help us to love as He loves, even when we’ve been betrayed.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Love Like Jesus
Even When We’re Betrayed

Lord Jesus, the magnitude of Your love overwhelms me. You graciously showed kindness, care, and compassion to sinners like me. You knew hearts and minds, and still graciously loved to the point of death to give us a New Covenant with God.

You are the promised Messiah who sacrificed everything to transform lives through changed hearts and minds. A friend’s betrayal is one of life’s hardest things to release through forgiveness.

You knew Judas would betray You, yet You loved him as You did all Your disciples. You faithfully taught God’s truth, giving him time to surrender himself in faith. You are always at work in and around us, lovingly offering everything we need to have hearts filled with faith and love.

Thank you! I praise You for allowing my heart to be opened to Your love. Please help me reject the enemy’s temptations and lies by clinging to the truth of Your promises. You are the author and perfector of my faith. Please give me all I need to run this race with endurance by following You with every step I take. (Hebrews 12:1–2)

Lord, strengthen me to love as You desire and give me the ability to forgive, even when I am betrayed. I ask this in Your holy name. Amen.

Lysa TerKeurst wrote…

“Trauma is often birthed in betrayal, and healing is found in forgiveness, not revenge.” 

And John Piper wrote…

“Trusting God means believing that He can restore what was lost during the betrayal.”

God’s love in us gives us what we need to forgive and love like Jesus, even when it feels impossible.

I promise, God can heal your heart and restore the peace you had before you were betrayed. He can give you what you need to love and forgive.

May He hold you close and give you everything you need to live with hope and a heart filled with His love.

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