There are at least three motives for betrayal:
- Jealousy: The case of Cain against Abel, of the Pharisees against the Lord Jesus;;
- Covetousness: he case of Lucifer against God, of Judas against the Lord Jesus;
- Cowardice : The case of the apostle Peter against his Master and Lord Jesus.
Jealousy
It is a horrible feeling that manifests as the desire to see the downfall of someone who prospers or enjoys a certain glory, because one would have so loved to be in their place. This is the rot that gnawed at the heart of Cain, who committed the very first murder on Earth, as early as the second generation. Cain betrayed the trust of his own brother, who, in his presence, was completely unaware that he was in the company of his future executioner. What then of the Pharisees, those religious figures who were supposed to accompany Christ in his mission to save the Jews, and then all of humanity? Instead, they found themselves fighting him throughout his ministry out of pure jealousy. And as if that were nothing, they handed him over to be crucified.
Covetousness
Covetousness leads to betrayal in two ways: the first originates in jealousy, but it is perpetuated by the will to destroy with the very specific aim of taking the other's place. Such was the evil one's plan: to overthrow God's authority and seize power. Such was the ancient serpent's suggestion to Eve: to disobey God in order to become a god herself. This is the worst form that jealousy can take.
The second form of betrayal, linked to covetousness, is expressed not by hatred directly directed against a person, but by the gain one hopes to obtain by betraying them. This was the case with Judas, who found in Jesus a source of gain. This is also the case for many husbands who betray their wives out of covetousness for another woman. It is a truly hideous and ungrateful form of betrayal: to betray one's spouse, one's Lord and Christ—a relationship meant to last a lifetime—for fleeting gain or pleasure.
Oh, may God protect us from these two forms of covetousness, both leading to betrayal: that which is an extension of jealousy and that which stems from illicit pleasure.
Cowardice
Even as devout Christians, we remain susceptible to betraying our Master and Lord Jesus Christ. Such was the case with the apostle Peter who, following his Master's arrest, denied three times that he knew him. Glory be to God, after his baptism in the Holy Spirit, he became a valiant preacher of the Gospel, for which he no longer hesitated to die. This form of betrayal is the formidable weapon of the evil one against the children of God, who thus multiplies persecutions against them in order to turn them away from faith in Christ. Therefore, the Lord took care to warn us in these words: “Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9).
Finally, let us note that the weakness which led the apostle Peter to betray the Lord Jesus is not ours in the new covenant, for once baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are now strong in Christ to stand firm against the evil one, like Peter who became a completely different man after Pentecost.
Let us beware of betraying our friends, our loved ones, our families, our spouses, and above all, our God and Creator; neither out of jealousy, nor covetousness, nor cowardice!
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!
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