The Suffering of Betrayal

“Yes, as a woman betrays her lover, so you have betrayed me, house of Israel.” — Jeremiah 3:20

Sheep often tend to see spiritual leaders as belonging to a higher spiritual class. They sometimes forget that these leaders have hearts too and can suffer from difficult fraternal relationships.

Like their Master, every servant, at some level, will one day face betrayal. This betrayal can cause short-term or long-term suffering, leaving marks on the leader’s heart that seem indelible. I have particularly noticed that pastors’ wives, especially those who feel somewhat neglected by their husbands, experience this more intensely. Let us remember that our wives are often of a more delicate nature (1 Peter 3:7).

Through this book, God not only wants to warn and teach us about rebellion but also to comfort and heal broken hearts. Who better than God understands betrayal?

As I wrote in the book “Unjust Love”: “From the beginning, God has been abandoned, betrayed, and unjustly accused by His creation. Yet, God knew exactly what would happen—from the moment He created the first heavens to the moment you are reading this sentence. He knew that in creating man and woman, He would be betrayed, insulted, cursed, slandered, abandoned, and accused. Knowing this, what would you have done in His place?“

God was betrayed by Lucifer and many angels, by Adam and Eve, and by the people of Israel. Jesus was betrayed and accused by the crowd, by pagans, by religious leaders, and by Judas. He was also abandoned by His own disciples… and perhaps by us in the past. God knows the suffering of betrayal. He knows what you may be going through.

In addition to relational suffering, another pain is seeing the flock wounded. Conflicts and divisions can cause great damage, and rebellion often leaves behind fragility, turmoil, and a poison that continues to affect certain hearts.

Judas was a disciple of Jesus, and Jesus considered him a friend. Yet, later, Jesus called this friend a demon (John 6:70). How can a friend in a relationship turn into a demon? How can someone so close end up acting in such a way?

“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?“ (Jeremiah 17:9).

The closer the one who betrayed us was, the greater the suffering. However, God, who called the pastor to the responsibility of shepherding the flock, will not allow the gates of hell to prevail against the church He has entrusted to him. The damage will be repaired, fragilities will turn into strengths, hearts will be healed, turmoil will disappear, joy will replace suffering, and poison will be rendered powerless. Yes, dry bones will come back to life.

Jesus still says today:

“Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?“ — John 11:40

If we suffer as leaders, it is because we have loved, and this love for God’s people makes us share, for a time, in Christ’s sufferings. Suffering exists, but who is like our God in healing, restoring, and lifting up in His righteousness? I am convinced that the river of living water, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, can fully comfort and heal the heart of a wounded leader (Revelation 22:1).

Despite these pains, let us persevere in our calling and in the direction we know is from God, with obedience.

“No one is holy like the Lord; there is no other God besides You, there is no rock like our God. Stop speaking arrogantly; let no pride come from your mouth, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by Him, actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are clothed with strength.“ — 1 Samuel 2:2-4

They Hide…

“Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” — Proverbs 26:26

Rebellion does not always lead to division, and even if a church has never experienced it, it probably has rebels within it. Rebels are often masters of disguise, true spiritual chameleons. They may shake your hand firmly after church, telling you how much your sermon touched them, only to criticize you five minutes later to their spouse while driving home. They hide, and they do it well.

There are many rebels, as well as those in the process of becoming one. Generally, pastors can discern hearts, but sometimes they don’t see it coming. Jesus knew who would betray Him (John 13:11), but for some pastors, it comes as a complete surprise—just as it did for Joram that day:

“As soon as Joram saw Jehu, he asked, ‘Is everything alright, Jehu?’ Jehu answered, ‘How can everything be alright as long as your mother Jezebel’s fornications and her many sorceries continue?’ Joram turned and fled, shouting to Ahaziah, ‘Treachery, Ahaziah!’ But Jehu drew his bow and shot Joram between the shoulders. The arrow pierced his heart, and he collapsed in his chariot.“ — 2 Kings 9:22-24

Have you noticed a change in some members of the assembly? Perhaps you are wondering about them: “Is everything alright?” “What’s happening with them?” They may be preparing an arrow aimed at you!

Apart from Judas’ negative remark about Mary’s perfume (a remark shared by other disciples), the eleven saw nothing unusual in his behavior. At the Last Supper, they assumed Judas was going to buy something for Jesus’ ministry or give something to the poor. It was indeed a matter of money, but with entirely different motives and intentions.

In the garden, the eleven were not surprised that Judas kissed Jesus. There was nothing strange about it. That night, everything could have gone as usual. What was unusual was the crowd that accompanied Judas—armed with swords and clubs, to whom the traitor had said:

“The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and take him away under guard.“ — Mark 14:44

While the Father had warned Jesus of this betrayal and Jesus had warned the disciples, they did not understand and were shocked when it happened. Likewise, while a leader may not always be surprised by emerging rebels, the flock is often shocked and frightened. Yes, even if a rebel hides his hatred through hypocrisy, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly (Proverbs 26:26).

Like Judas, many will rise as traitors against the pastor in the very heart of the assembly…

This text is an excerpt from the book “Walk in Love 2” written by Jérémy Sourdril.

We invite you to read the following article: “DO NOT CONFUSE THE WOLF WITH THE LAMB”.

THE REVELATION OF THE REBELS. THE REVELATION OF THE REBELS.