The Pain of Betrayal

Old Testament prophecy fulfilled by Jesus:

He would be betrayed by a friend.

David was the one God described as the man after His own heart.  (I Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22)

And yet, David had enemies. A lot of enemies-both before and after he became king. David wrote about his enemies frequently in the Psalms.

In Psalm 41:9, David wrote about one of his enemies that had once been a close friend. One whom he trusted. One who ate with David. One who betrayed him.

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

David probably didn’t understand when he wrote those words, that they were also words of prophecy about The Son of David, Jesus, the Messiah.

How do I know David’s psalm references Jesus? Because Jesus explained that it did.

The apostles gathered with Jesus during the Last Supper. Judas was there when Jesus washed their feet. Just after this, Jesus told them something that must not have understood at the time.

Jesus quoted David’s words from Psalm 41:9:  

“…but it is that the scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.” John 13:18.

Shortly after this, Jesus dips bread and gives it to Judas and said, “What you do, do quickly.”

Jesus had spent three years with Judas. Teaching him, traveling with him, eating with him. Yet, Jesus knew the heart of Judas. Jesus knew Judas had already made arrangements to betray Him.

Have you ever been betrayed? By a friend? By a business partner? By a spouse?  Jesus knows the hurt of betrayal. He is the one who can comfort you.