Betrayal.

I spotted this beautiful oil on canvass in a Church in Mayfair recently and it brought to my mind the act of betrayal. Painted with real life persons by Andrew White in 2013 it depicts the Last Supper and mimics in modern form Leonardo’s masterpiece.

Look closely and you will see modern man with Judas the betrayer in the top of the painting, hanging there as he would be several hours later. The act of betrayal is a treacherous act usually associated with betraying one’s country but also an individual. Those now reading may have been betrayed in their lives or may have betrayed and in both cases the deep sick pit of resonance will be experienced.

In this case Jesus was betrayed by Judas who was one of the 12 Disciples chosen to follow. Judas was in fact the treasurer of the Group and was motivated perhaps not only by those 30 pieces of silver but of a dislike of his leader, jealousy perhaps a prime mover. Jesus meantime not only knew the number of hairs on his head but saw him as the betrayer when selecting him, a function necessary to fulfil His saviour Mission.

Betrayal is of course a dark act carried out in the dark but fuelled by self interest an act to fill the coffers or take revenge. Adultery is a common act of betrayal and ultimately it does damage to everyone involved as it’s origin is from that deep pit where the Enemy operates with plans to kill, steal and destroy. Off the spot silver price the value of 30 pieces of silver would be approximately £150 so Judas was hardly driven to do this for fiscal gain but more deeply rooted reason. He paid a few hours later by killing himself in a field outside Jerusalem which to this day has never been built upon. The reality is no good will ever come from such an act.

In most cases betrayal will come as a surprise, completely out of the blue but when uncovered one sees the whole despicable act and the damage wrought. In the painting Jesus is seen breaking the bread before His body is broken , yet in doing so will pay for all our dastardly deeds and give us all that second chance that we all so much need. For Judas whether forgiveness came I don’t know but one thing for sure he never got the chance to spend that blood money.

Apologies for not getting the whole photo in but you can visit The Farm Street Jesuit Church in Mayfair and see the original. Lunch for two after the visit at a local restaurant might cost you more than those 30 pieces especially if you add the cost on of getting there. There is of course nothing new under the sun betrayal goes on today perhaps the only change is in the price. Stay safe and keep well away from those Pharisees that lurk today looking for that Iscariot out there. LLP