“The trials hardest to bear are those that come from our brethren, our own familiar friends; but even these trials may be borne with patience. Jesus is not lying in Joseph’s new tomb. He has risen and has ascended to heaven, there to intercede in our behalf.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol 8 p 128.1

Et tu, Brute?

The deepest thrust of the knife can only come from the ones closest to us.  Those we have held in closest confidence are able to hurt us much more than strangers or acquaintances.  It has always been this way.

The devil, when devising the method of Jesus’ capture, chose not to do it by an armed Roman guard, or the ruling priesthood who were His bitter enemies, but by a disciple, one of His closest companions.

Matthew 26:50 – “Friend, why have you come?”

Though the actions of these close ones may cause much grief, they do not need to steal our joy, or cause us to forever end close friendships.  We have a God that we can turn to with our sorrow, who will provide comfort for us.  Even though we may feel alone, lacking the human companionship we thought undoubtable, God will not leave us alone to face the trials of life.

God assists with the grieving process.  God aids in the recovery.  More than that, God empowers us to seek to restore the relationship and live without bitterness.

2 Corinthians 5:18 – Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Jesus knows what it’s like to be betrayed.  He knows what it’s like to have close relations become strained to the point of breaking. He also knows what rejection is like from those He should have had complete confidence in.

Zechariah 13:6 – And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.

But His hope and His joy center on the restoration of relationships that have been broken.  He wants us to have the hope and realization of restored relationships.  The devil may win a battle and we, or others, might wound profoundly, but the grace of God always allows for the possibility that joy may come in the morning after a night of weeping.  Our God lives, and can change situations that we thought were irreparable.  God is mighty to save, not just us, but the relationships that mean the most, which make life the most enjoyable and give it the deepest meaning.