Remy was there when I arrived. He had called me about an hour before and asked if we could meet at the bar on Tumwater Boulevard and I had reluctantly agreed. I was not sure why he had wanted to talk to me. We had never been close, just two people who hung around with the same people and partied at the same after-hours parties. Why was he now calling me and almost pleading that I come to meet him?
As I pulled up a barstool next to his he did not turn or acknowledge my presence, just looked straight ahead, staring at his image in the mirror behind the bar. I nodded to Jones the bartender and he brought over a mug of beer. As he did, he gave me a secretive glance, with raised eyebrows and a slight nod toward Remy. I took this to mean that things had not been going well before I had arrived, and Jones expected me to do something, but what? What was going on?
Finally, Remy said in a tone so low I had to lean into him to hear, “What has been going on between you and Becky?” I pulled back, as if he had hit me, trying to comprehend what he had just said. Me and Becky? Everyone knew that Remy and Becky were together and most assumed it was a solid thing. I was one of them. Yeah, I had kidded around with her at parties, we seemed to have the same sense of humor. There was that one time she had asked me to take her home when Remy was so out of it he could not do so. But I had never put a move on her. So, what was this about?
He slowly turned his head toward me and now was glaring directly at me, as if his steel grey eyes could penetrate my thoughts. Remy was a big man, about my height but had at least 50 pounds on me. He now was using that large presence to intimidate me, and the truth be told, it was working. The best I could do was stammer an indefinite answer, “Becky, there is nothing going on between me and her, I…” stuttering some more continued, “…I don’t know what you have heard but there ain’t nothing.” With that I spread my hands out in a confused gesture and tried to give him a placating look. But Remy leaned in even closer.
Now with his face almost touching mine he whispered, “Last night someone saw her leaving your place at around midnight, so I am going to ask you again. What is going on with you two?” He must have saw the confused look in my eyes and the absolute horror that I was being set up, because he backed away for a moment. As he did, I went into my ‘the other guy did it’ mode, “That did not happen, man! I said with total indignation. “Becky has never been to my place unless you brought her there, who is telling you this stuff?” Pausing to see if he was buying it, his eyes were still filled with anger if maybe now tinted with a small bit of doubt. He looked around as if he was trying to find someone and as his gaze landed on Earl, I knew I had been set up for sure. Earl, I and four other Ironworkers shared the same apartment and now I was getting the picture, my best friend had been messing with Becky and he was about to let me take the fall.
Betrayal. I don’t think there is a more painful feeling then when someone you trust betrays and breaks that sacred bond of any relationship. For me it has happened more than once. But I must also admit I have done so with friends and family, even my own son. I was never able to admit this as long as I lived a life without Jesus. I think I always felt that it was just the way of the world. Kind of a dog eat dog thing. But as I have spent more and more time in the Word of God, the word betrayal has taken on a new meaning.
From the book of Genesis to Revelation man’s betrayal of God is exposed in so many stories. From Eve and the snake through Judas’ kiss on the cheek of our Savior, we as a people have betrayed one another and even worse the God who created us. And the problem is none of us are innocent of it.
The apostle John says this, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) Sin is a betrayal of the love and grace our God and Savior has bestowed on each of us. But it does not have to be this way. We have been given a way to stop the betrayal and live a transformed life, if he can find ourselves humbled at the foot of the cross. Today can be different.
The book of Galatians puts it this way, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) If I am willing to find this truth in my life today, I will no longer desire the sin and betrayal. I may slip but this is where I want to be.
Years ago, in that bar I returned the betrayal of my friend by making sure Remy knew who his girlfriend was really playing around with. Earl and Remy took it to the streets and it was a bloody affair. Things between Earl and me were never the same and soon I moved out. We never talked again. Betrayal and lies had ruined whatever friendship once had. I am blessed today that I do not have to do the same in my relationships with either man or God. Jesus has already accepted my betrayal on the cross and knowing that changes everything.
Blessings
John
11/28/18
