“Even My Close Friend in Whom I Trusted"

“Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” (Psalm 41:9 ESV)

David wrote Psalm 41 expressing his grief over betrayal. In the Psalm, David often wrote of the troubles of his life and his need and trust in the Lord. We all experience betrayal, and it is never easy, especially when it is someone closest to us. Did Judas Iscariot betray Christ because of Satan’s influence alone, or did God choose Judas for this very task?

There are some very simple reasons Judas Iscariot was chosen as an apostle. First, Scripture had to be fulfilled. Today’s verse is one of many that Jesus fulfilled on His way to glorifying Himself and the Father. Peter spoke of this at Pentecost when he said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.” (Acts 1:16) This directly links today's verse to Judas.

Secondly, the most horrendous act in history was committed by one closest to Jesus. This allows everyone to see that even the most terrible acts in every life are done so that God may be glorified. The betrayal and death of Jesus were a part of God’s providence in bringing about salvation for His elect. Peter says this very thing in the Book of Acts at Pentecost: “For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” It was God’s predestination for Judas to betray Christ.

Thirdly, acts of religiosity are never a true indicator of saving faith. Remember, Jesus gave Judas the same power as the other apostles, the power to heal and cast out demons, and yet Judas’ faith was never strong. Christ knew His heart just like He knows ours. If you take nothing else from this, keep in mind that one can know doctrine better than Calvin or Luther, one can run ministries, but these things can be done without saving faith. We must be born again in the Spirit. We must receive grace and have faith that Christ truly is the Son of God. As He gave up His life for us, bringing Him eternal glory in the resurrection, we too must sacrifice and devote our lives to Him. Judas teaches us this very lesson.

After preaching in Capernaum, Jesus said, “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him. (John 6:66-71) Jesus knew, and I’ll bet Judas knew He was talking about him.

Fourth, the sovereignty of God is linked to human responsibility. Christ knew Judas was the one who betrayed Him. John wrote, “Jesus knew from the beginning . . . who it was who would betray him.”(6:64). Yet whilst his fate was sealed by God’s providence, Judas was responsible for the apostasy. The betrayal, the beating, and the murder were the responsibility of Judas, which is why he was not given the grace to repent of these great sins. Judas committed the sin, and he knew it. We know this because after the arrest of Jesus, he said to the Pharisees, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” (Matthew 27:4) Like Judas, we should also remember that while we may be predestined to complete an act by God, we are also responsible for our actions.

Fifth, money corrupts absolutely. Judas was a thief, and Christ knew it. We know that Judas held the ministry of Christ's money. John tells us, "Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it." ,12:3-6)

When it comes down to it, Judas loved money. He loved money so much more than He loved Christ, and it did not matter how much. Judas received 30 pieces of silver for betraying Christ. In the first century, the amount he received was the equivalent of one day's labor. It was practically nothing. Yet his greed allowed him to make the most significant betrayal in History. He betrayed God.

I am not saying Christians should not have money. What I am saying is that the greatest treasure in your life should be Jesus Christ. He is the hidden pearl, the treasure in the field. He must be the center of your life.

If you have not given your life to Christ, do it today. He is the only way to escape your sin and receive salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.

Grace and Peace.