5.1 Discussion. Love Betrayed

Read aloud from Luke 23:

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:32–46

Now think—Jesus has been betrayed. God allowed himself to be betrayed by his own creation. Why? What kind of story is this? What kind of love is this? It is a divine love that we cannot understand.

Upon successful completion of the course material, you will be able to:

· Share your perspective on the relationship between betrayal and love.

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Resources

· Bible

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Background Information

There is no greater demonstration of love than when Jesus whispers from the cross, “ Father, forgive them, they know not what they are doing.”

Please allow these words, this picture of love, to sink into your heart and mind! Jesus is not being crucified by his enemies, though it would seem so. Jesus is not being crucified by those he dislikes or has disdain for. True, we all are sinners and have done plenty that does not bring about warm feelings, to say the least.

But Jesus  loves us! He loves the people who are yelling at the top of their lungs, “Crucify him!” Oh, the anguish of having your own loved ones—the ones you came to save, the ones you came to bring the news of the Kingdom of Heaven to—put you to a horrific and agonizing death  on purpose.

Betrayal. His love was betrayed. He was betrayed. The worst betrayal in history. The worst betrayal possible. He was hung on a cross by the people he came to save, by those he created to mirror his holy image.

Love and betrayal—what do these two things have in common? How are we to reconcile loving and being betrayed by the very object of that love? Would we know the depths of God’s love if he had not been betrayed?

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Instructions

1. Read this devotional, “Love Betrayed.”

2. Navigate to the discussion topic and respond to the following:

a. Share your perspective on the relationship between betrayal and love.

b. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

c. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

d. Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and insight into the discussion.

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