Workplace Meditation Week 9: The Workplace Judas

Workplace Meditation

The Workplace Judas

Bible Passage: Matthew 26 & 27 (NIV)

Passage Key Words: “watched for an opportunity,” “betray,” “very sad”

Topical Key Words: Leadership, forgiveness, love, resilience and honor

Today’s authors (Bell, A.H. and Smith, D.M. 2004) call them “difficult people at work” or “Sources of Pain.” Ignore the labels and name calling and imagine you had 12 employees under your supervision, one of whom you know is committed to facilitate your demise. How should you treat him or her, or what should you do? Would you build a protective wall (or shell) around yourself to prevent that evil day, and in the process distance others and lose affecting and transforming their lives for the greater good of society and the world? Alternatively, would you discard the shell, live out your life and mission to produce great leaders, and reap the shame, harm and pain that your workplace Judas intended?

Jesus faced the both choices. Most of us would submit to the natural instinct of self-preservation and lose the enduring legacy of touching and transforming other lives. Jesus did not.

Judas always planned to betray Jesus—his teacher and supervisor, and Jesus had always known the risks of keeping and letting him stay on the team. While Judas collected information and documented Jesus’ teachings and activities, both safe and controversial, to aid his betrayal project, Jesus gave him the same opportunity to change, as others, and appointed him their treasurer. In essence, because Jesus never gave up or changed his goodwill gestures toward all his students (including his potential betrayer), Judas finally realized that Jesus loved him but he had failed himself.

Therefore, the test and proof of the Christ-like leadership is typified in our response to the Judas’ in our team. The Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 4:14-18) confronting his own suffering with betrayal, give these practical advice and encouragement:

Rely on God’s strength, wisdom and deliverance
Know that harm will be done but leave vengeance to God
Warn others to be guard and expect desertion in difficult times
Always pray for and forgive the betrayer
Expect God to use our trials for His glory
Remember that heaven is our destination and God’s commendation is our reward

May God grant us the grace to live out our Christ-like faith when facing difficult or hostile coworkers, as with supportive ones.

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