What is the difference between a betrayer and a traitor? Cambridge dictionary defines a betrayer as:

“a person who is not loyal to their country or to another person, often doing something harmful such as giving information to an enemy.”

A traitor (again, according to Cambridge) is:

“a person who gives away or sells secrets of his or her country, or someone who is not loyal to particular beliefs or friends.”

They cite Benedict Arnold as a traitor. 

I’m not exactly sure which term best fits former Illinois politician Michael Madigan. Take your pick. After five decades of “public service” in Illinois, and becoming one of the most powerful people in the state, it turns out he was best at serving himself.

He had all kinds of nicknames. “The Velvet Hammer.” “Sphinx.” “King of Illinois.” “The Wizard of Oz.” “The Real Governor of Illinois.” “Himself.” (I like that last one.)

In Illinois, it often seems like government and corruption go hand in hand. It just takes a long time for people to either see it—or deal with it. For Madigan, his political “gifting” was drawing and redrawing Illinois’ legislative maps. The story goes he “personally oversaw every major piece of legislation in Illinois for almost forty years.”

Until the walls recently came crashing down.

In mid-February, Michael Madigan faced the corruption music in court. He was convicted of running a years-long racketeering ring that involved multiple bribery schemes. Appeals might follow, of course. Betrayer? Or traitor? Tough call.

The all time champion of betrayal—need it be said—was Judas Iscariot. As we are now in the Lenten season, we will hear many variations on his tragic character flaw of placing money ahead of the Messiah. He used to carry the money bag for the disciples’ work, helping himself along the way. Deciding Jesus’ plan was not his, he sold his soul for thirty pieces of silver to bidders of the Jewish leadership. And then regretted his mistake and killed himself.

His story created a stir recently in a work of biblical fiction. Quite often, those who read fictionalized biblical stories can’t discern what is truly Scriptural and what is not. In an episode of The Chosen Season 5, as The Blaze reports:

“In one particular scene, Jesus tells Judas that he has a ‘choice to make’: ‘Who you belong to. Who has your heart?’ Jesus then says, ‘I want it, and I’ve had it before. You followed me willingly.’ Judas responds by telling Jesus, ‘There is nothing more that I want than that,’ to which Jesus says, ‘Then I will pray for you.’”

Need I tell you that no such dialogue exists in the recorded Scriptures?  Not even in The Message. Non-Bible readers can walk away seeing this as truth—and embrace a giant theological error!

Critics have said that this exchange between Jesus and Judas implies Judas was once a genuine follower of Jesus. If that was the case, a person’s salvation can be lost. Perhaps then Jesus would pray that Judas would not betray Him—which He did not do. And why not? It would run counter to God’s redemptive plan.

John 6:64 reads,

“But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.)” (ESV)

All along, Judas was “doomed” to destruction. (See John 17:12)

Therein lies the severity of leading people to unbiblical conclusions. Not only is their own understanding of theology weakened, anyone they share this adulterated story with moves a step (or a leap) backward.

But at this time of Lent, our hearts are challenged to look inward. We must consider that our daily actions can often betray the One we’ve committed to follow. It is God’s love that leads us to repentance.

We find ourselves betrayers in the hands of a loving God. People in need of redemption. Much like Illinois’ own Michael Madigan.