The Betrayed.
Soul Snack 9/10 ... The Betrayed
The dry South African dust descended randomly over this violent group of school bullies. The elder brother turned his head and attended to his books.
The hunchback younger brother was emotionally tortured and physically exposed by this group of peers intent on his degradation. The elder had betrayed the younger. Rescue was perfectly within his ability.*
Betrayal is the lowest activity of the highest self-interested. The priority of self clothes the altar that justice, truth and mercy is sacrificed upon.
Betrayal dims the Cross of Calvary and darkens the righteous claims of Christ. The internal draw of justice is denied by those who seek to protect themselves from the malevolent exposure of another and then render no assistance.
The betrayer abandons the power to live truth and deny self as these are jettisoned by self interest.
Betrayal is the wanton act of cruelty that saw God crucified and many a tender spirit destroyed.
To place oneself in another's shoes and then step out of them when they don't fit comfortably is a sign of Jesus' absence.
To place oneself in another's shoes and then remain in them when they don't fit comfortably is a sign of Jesus' presence.
To refuse to get into your needy brother's shoes is betrayal.
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
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*This is a very brief outline of a true story recounted by Brennan Manning in 'The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus' (p155-6 pub-Revell- 6th printing 09)