Day 28 Beating betrayal back.

“Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.” — John 2:24–25

What if people really are worse than we think?

Not just selfish. Not just imperfect.

But broken at the root. Bent. Capable of incredible harm—especially when cloaked in the appearance of righteousness.

Sometimes, that realization comes not from theology class, but from betrayal.

From being lied to. Abandoned. Used.

From watching someone who claimed to love God walk in the exact opposite spirit.

The lie we’re tempted to believe is: “I’ll never trust again. It’s not safe.”

And maybe that lie isn’t entirely wrong—it’s just incomplete.

Jesus didn’t trust people blindly. He knew what was in them. He wasn’t surprised by betrayal.

He wasn’t disillusioned because He had no illusions to begin with.

And yet—He loved anyway.

He served. He welcomed.

He washed the feet of the one who would betray Him.

That’s not spiritual recklessness. That’s divine love clothed in discernment. So yes—people may be worse than we want to believe. But Jesus is better than we ever dared hope.

He doesn’t ask us to blindly trust others.

He asks us to trust Him in the middle of the fog.

To walk with wisdom, to love without illusion, and to stay soft in a world full of hard hearts.

You’re allowed to set boundaries.

You’re allowed to be cautious.

But don’t let pain harden your soul.

Because you weren’t created to live suspicious and small. You were made to be a vessel of grace in a world desperate for it.

Bible Story

Jesus had every reason to build walls. The religious leaders misunderstood Him, plotted against Him. One of His closest friends betrayed Him for cash. Another denied even knowing Him in His darkest hour.

And yet… He kept going.

He kept loving.

He didn’t entrust Himself to everyone—but He entrusted Himself fully to the Father. And from that place of anchored security, He poured out love anyway.

Where have you been betrayed or disillusioned by someone you trusted? What patterns are you seeing in others that may be fear echoing old pain? What would it look like to live wisely without growing cold?

Do Something

Pray this today

“Jesus, I’m having a hard time trusting anyone. Not because I hate people, but because I’ve been hurt so deeply. Thank You that You see this struggle. That You didn’t entrust Yourself to everyone—but You still chose to love. Help me walk that line: to love without pretending, to discern without growing bitter, and to hope without shutting down. Remind me that even when people fail me, You never will.”