June 4, 2025

Viewing all things through the lens of the True and the beautiful!

The True

Betrayed

The betrayal was worse than the execution. It had to have been, because it came from the hand and heart of one he deeply loved.

You know the story. Judas—now known as Judas Iscariot because of this very story—betrays Jesus in the leadup to the crucifixion of Jesus. It was a betrayal Jesus predicted at the last supper (Matt. 26:21) and one foreshadowed by David generations in advance (Ps. 41:9).

Even so, I have to believe the betrayal was, in many ways, more agonizing than the physical excruciation of death on the cross. After all, Judas was one of Jesus’ closest friends. Jesus chose Judas. He did life with Judas. Jesus and Judas confided in each other, they served together, and they were bonded together.

If Jesus could trust anyone, He could trust Judas. And yet, Judas betrayed Jesus, which is why it had to be at least as painful as the cross itself. The betrayal meant Jesus would not only go to the cross, but He would go alone. Very alone.

Jesus knew the Father could not associate with the sin He would take on as He faced the cross, which surely contributed to Jesus’ petition for the Father to make another way (Matt. 26:39). But there was no other way, so Jesus went to the cross, temporarily separated from the Father, with the betrayal by one of his closest friends ringing in His ears and reminding Him that He was alone.

Because of this great gift, you and I never have to know separation from the Father. You and I will never have to know that feeling of total isolation. We have the eternal promise that our God is with us even “to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

But you know betrayal.

You know what it is like for someone close to you—someone you hold dear—to sell you out and give you up. Far from being an aberration, the betrayal of Jesus by Judas is ubiquitous with the human condition. We have all seen it up close, we have felt its sting, and we have even exacted its unique toll.

Yes, you know betrayal. But you also know the power of an opposite spirit! You know the only antidote to betrayal! You know that the way to cover a multitude of wrongs—including betrayal—is to love deeply!

1 Peter 4:8 says precisely that: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

The most powerful part of that directive is that it immediately follows a proclamation that, “The end of all things is near” (1 Pet. 4:7). The end is coming, friends. And even before it arrives, you will be betrayed over and over again by those closest to you—and even by those you have chosen, and those with whom you are doing life.

It will be excruciating. But it will not be something Jesus himself did not face. And when you are faced with it—when betrayal lands on your doorstep, you have a clear and powerful way to overcome it: Love deeply!

U.S.

Antisemitism in Boulder

Eight people are injured after being attacked by a man throwing Molotov cocktails in Boulder, Colorado. Those injured were participating in a demonstration of solidarity for the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, and officials say the attacker yelled, “Free Palestine” during the rampage. Investigators say the perpetrator is an Egyptian citizen who has expressed a desire to “kill all Zionist people.” The Boulder attack comes just days after the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, DC.

Analysis and eternal perspective: It is an increasingly common—and evil—occurrence in our world. As war wages between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, violent acts rooted in antisemitism continue escalating all around the world. In this case, the antisemitism appears to have also been aimed at silencing those speaking out in support of the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas.

You are almost certainly shocked and appalled by these attacks. There is also a strong tendency to become discouraged, frustrated, and complacent about the inability to prevent this kind of violence. Those feelings are understandable in the current moment, but you, as a Jesus follower, are called to be faithfully consistent in carrying the mantle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ into these horrible circumstances.

As you grapple with this story today, read Isaiah 61 to be reminded anew of your role in God’s plan to rescue those who are suffering. Here is just a small sampling of what God has empowered you to do:

“Proclaim good news to the poor” (v1).

“Bind up the brokenhearted” (v.1).

“Proclaim freedom for the captives” (v. 1).

“Release from darkness for the prisoners” (v.1).

“Comfort all who mourn” (v. 2).

“Provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (v. 3).

Our world is still full of evil. But God is coming to set all things right. And you are His vessel of care, comfort, and truth in the meantime!

U.S.

Revoked

The U.S. State Department is “aggressively revok[ing] visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” according to a statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The move comes amid increasing economic tension—including an ongoing tariff escalation—between the U.S. and China, and also as world observers warn about the possibility of a Chinese takeover of Taiwan.

Analysis and eternal perspective: While it is not immediately clear which authorities the administration will draw on to implement the directive from Sec. Rubio, it is all but certain that implementation will be challenged in court. As that process plays out, Chinese students studying in America will need to decide whether to stay the course or voluntarily leave the country to pursue their studies elsewhere.

As a Jesus follower, there is a clear delineation of at least two biblical mandates here:

The first is in Romans 13, which reminds us that governing authorities are “God’s servants” and deserving of our respect. It is a sober thing to be tasked with governing authority, and we should pray for those who shoulder it, that they would have wisdom to both guard against threat and encourage flourishing.

The second mandate is much more specific for you and me, and it is very simply to “show hospitality to strangers” (Heb 13:2). You may have a view—favorable or not—about the governing decision to restrict student visas of certain foreign nationals. But that decision ultimately rests with governing authorities you are supporting in prayer. In the meantime, the duty to care for the stranger currently in your land rests with you.

As Jesus followers, let’s each endeavor to clearly recognize the duty that is ours and pray for our leaders as they execute the duty that is theirs.

World

Elusive Peace

There are yet again new rounds of negotiations to end the fighting in two major wars.

First, Israel has reportedly signaled agreement with a U.S.-led framework that includes a ceasefire, hostage exchanges, and increased aid into Gaza. Hamas wants changes to the framework but has reportedly indicated an openness to continued negotiations.

Next, hostilities between Russia and Ukraine are intensifying even as officials from both countries meet in Istanbul for peace talks. Russia continues to insist Ukraine give up part of its territory in exchange for peace—a demand Ukraine has consistently rejected.

Analysis and eternal perspective: Peace is very, very hard to achieve. It can therefore be almost impossible to know when peace talks are productive and when they are merely theatrics. This is particularly true in both of these wars, as each conflict has produced a seemingly endless stream of negotiations—none of which has produced a lasting peace.

And yet, your job as a Jesus follower is to faithfully and persistently pray for, and work for, both peace (Ps. 34:14) and justice (Is. 1:17).

It feels as though we in The Equipped community are perpetually returning to these two reminders, and it can be frustrating when there seems to be no sign of progress. Even so, it is reassuring to know that your job and mine is to simply stay the course. Your God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). He is unchanging, even in the face of overwhelming world events.

“Seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14).

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed” (Is. 1:17).

The Beautiful

Beauty and Bounty

As always, there is plenty of chaos within the stories from our world. There is plenty of ill clambering for your attention. But amid that tumult is the beauty of your Creator, and it is prepared just for you. It is not a fanciful denial of the evil that opposes you in this world, but in fact an invitation to rest in that which He has preserved for you.

Reject the temptation to allow guilt to hold you in a state fixated on all that is around you. He has prepared beauty and bounty for you. Sit at the table and eat!

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Ps. 23:5).

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