April 12

See Jesus

[Judas Iscariot] asked, “What are you willing to give me   if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15).

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-16

Song: “Praise You in This Storm”

Robert Hanssen is a former FBI agent who’s serving a lifetime sentence for selling military intelligence to the Soviets. According to government records, Hanssen became a member of the KGB and sold classified information in exchange for diamonds and cash worth more than half a million dollars. He did this while supervising counterintelligence for the FBI. His stint as a double agent ended when he was caught in 2001. Hanssen got wealth in exchange for his betrayal, but his motivation beyond that isn’t explained.

It’s hard to understand betrayal. Of all of history’s betrayers, Ju- das Iscariot may be the most well-known. I don’t think anyone sets out, from the beginning, to sell out that which matters. I suppose there are lots of little steps on the staircase of betrayal. Unmet expectations lead to disappointment. Disappointment invites discouragement. Discouragement brings frustration. Frustration leads to anger, and so it goes. As we descend, Satan applauds, and we move further away from the one we love.

Stopping the descent means going back to the source. For us, it’s Jesus. See Jesus—really see Him. He knows what’s going on when we don’t get it. He pleads for us to trust Him. He knows our hurts, dis- appointments, and frustrations. Remembering why we love Him and how He loves us can buoy us in the storms of doubt and confusion.

Dear Lord, help me to really see You. Thank You for Your love and loyalty to me. In Your name, amen.