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We have all been wounded at some time by one who should have only loved us. Every life has a Judas.
His name is synonymous with betrayal. We like to vilify Judas, to make him the enemy of Christ and the Gospel. The other apostles recorded his damnation with the indelible ink of history.
The truth is, Judas was not the only traitor. The friends and family who accompanied Christ to Jerusalem basked in the cries of “Hosanna!” When Jesus spoke of his coming kingdom, they argued who would sit where. Then it became clear that the kingdom would come to earth not through glorious victory but through suffering and death. Nobody wanted to be part of that.
Jesus knew. Tonight, he said, you will all desert me. He washed their feet anyway. He prayed for Peter, knowing he would deny ever knowing Christ.
Jesus knew about Judas, too. He knew about the 30 pieces of silver before he wrapped the towel around his waist and knelt on the floor before him like a servant. He knew it as he ran his hands over the man’s grimy feet, cleansing away the stain and stink of the journey.
Later that night, Judas burst into the olive grove with an entourage of soldiers, and betrayed Christ the Lord with a kiss. As his heart was breaking, Jesus called Judas “friend.”
It is easy to kneel before Jesus, who gave up everything for us. But can you kneel at the feet of Judas? Can you wash his feet when you know his heart?
Jesus had already taught the disciples to pray for their enemies. Perhaps they imagined he meant the Romans or the Sanhedrin. They didn’t think of Judas. They didn’t think of Peter. They didn’t think of their own untrustworthy hearts.
When we pray for our enemies, we call down grace on their lives instead of comeuppance. At first our prayer is born of sheer obedience, but if we pray for our enemy diligently – daily – a change begins to take place. Prayer may not change the betrayer, but it changes the one who prays.
You cannot whisper over and over, “Lord, heal her,” without developing a true and earnest desire for your enemy to be healed. You cannot keep asking God to put bread on someone’s table without beginning to think of the surplus in your own cupboard. You cannot pray morning after morning for your enemy, your betrayer, without beginning to fall in love.
How long must you pray for an enemy? Only until the enemy goes away, and you find yourself kneeling in prayer for a friend.
So pray for Judas. Wrap the towel around your waist. Wash his feet. Love him.
By: Jeannie Babb Taylor
mkayla said:
HI. I very much appreciate this article. It is very true and very powerful.
Blessings!
concertofprayer said:
Thanks Mkayla – hope all is well with you.
Blessings to you too!
shundra said:
i wish the lord will answer my prayer i ask him to move janaska robinson out of my husband life for good .she is coming between our family in the name of jesus name amen.
Vena said:
I pray that this court matter that is not even mine goes away, i do not wish to be there. please pray that it goes away.
Sleepy said:
I live upstairs over the landlords gay daughter who sells drugs, the loud music until 7 in the morning and their drug induced ravings are too much.
They act demonic so I keep my distance and I pray and read the 35TH Psalm but it’s hard to be peaceful but easy to end up in jail.
I’m glad I found this website and I’m going to keep praying because I can not afford to move yet.
Richard said:
It sounds easier said than done.
Angela said:
Both of my kids father’s have been wishing harm upon me .One even tried to have me sent to jail for begging him to except his child and support him ,he didn’t want anyone to find out about him.Now I’m due to return to court on the 11th and I’m so afraid cause I have been falsely accused of contacting him .I pray in the name of Jesus that Russell Waight will reap the seed that he sow for me and come to terms to except his son and be a loving father to him.As for my ex husband may God have mercy on his evil soul. I pray for peace and prosperity. Please pray for me .Amen
Myra said:
My only sister makes me and my moms life miserable I pray she will stop but she doesn’t. How am I supposed to pray for her I can’t stand her?
concertofprayer said:
Myra – You begin by praying for yourself that God will soften your heart to find love. That is not to say you should accept behaviors/actions from your sister that are unacceptable. I’m living this now with my own daughter. I love her with all my heart but Godly boundaries must be set. The impact of her actions on you and your mother’s life can be stopped by prayer. I do not know how old your sister is but I pray that you will, as Jesus does, find that in her which is lovable and start from there. Think about how broken or wounded she may be and how God sees her. Praying for you to find peace in your circumstances and that God will do a mighty work in this situation for you. Always remember, she is not your enemy. The enemy uses her to wound you.
Doris said:
My daughter is planning on leaving an abusive man tomorrow I pray she finds the peace and strength to leave. Amen
concertofprayer said:
I will be praying for her.