Jesus Was Betrayed & Rejected

Hebrews 4:15

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

Reflections

Great bonds are born out of shared adversity.

When we think of Jesus, we often picture the Savior of the world and our great High Priest—and rightly so. But do we sometimes forget that Jesus was also one of us? He took on human form. He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14).

We may know that Jesus came to earth as a baby and taught truth until His death on the cross. We’ve heard of His suffering. But have we tucked it away as mere story, holding it as head knowledge rather than letting it deeply affect our hearts?

Pause and read Luke 22:47–71.

Your trauma may be shaped by deep, personal betrayal. Jesus experienced that too.

Judas, one of His twelve disciples, betrayed Him with a kiss—a prearranged signal to the Roman soldiers to identify and arrest Jesus (vv. 47–53). Peter, who had just promised to fight to the death for Jesus, denied even knowing Him—three times (vv. 54–62).

These weren’t strangers. They were part of Jesus’s inner circle. They had shared meals, travels, and ministry. They were close friends. And yet, in the hour of trial, they betrayed and abandoned Him.

Our trauma often mirrors this kind of pain. Maybe you’ve been hurt by your children, forsaken by a spouse, judged by your parents, or misunderstood by the church. Maybe people who claimed to love you vanished when you needed them most.

Jesus understands.
He knows that kind of hurt (John 1:10). He felt it. He doesn’t just see your pain—He has lived it. The Word of God is not merely a story to read, but truth to hold. You are not alone. You have the comfort of One who walks beside you—One who truly gets it.

Lean into that truth today.
Our Savior and High Priest fully understands what you are facing. Let Him walk with you in it.

Have you recognized—and personalized—that the Savior of the world is able to empathize with you today?

Prayer

Lord, You are the Savior of the world and the One who perfectly understands betrayal, abandonment, and sorrow. Thank you for taking on human form and walking through pain so You could walk with me in mine. Help me to hold tightly to the truth that I am not alone. Let Your presence be near today, real and comforting, as I remember that You are the God who sees, understands, and stays.