[321 words]
“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread. hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psa. 41:9).
We have heard it said that history often repeats itself, and this was certainly true relative to the circumstances surrounding Judas Iscariot. This betrayer of the King of kings made the same fatal mistake as his Old Testament counterpart, Ahithophel, King David’s trusted advisor(cf. Mat. 27:1-10; 2 Sam. 17:23). Consider some interesting parallels between these two men:
Both men had access to the King (1 Chron. 27:33; Mat. 10:4).
Both men worked faithfully, for a time, in service to the King (2 Sam. 15:12; John 12:1-6).
Both men conspired against the King (2 Sam. 15:31ff; Mat. 26:14-16; Luke 22:4 7-48).
Both men chose to hang themselves and die separated from the King (2 Sam. 17:23; Mat. 27:1-10).
The life of Judas and Ahithophel, who they were and what they did, is an interesting one to say the very least. We can learn much from these men.
We have access to the King of kings (cf. Mat. 11:28-30; 2 The. 2:14; Rom. 5:1-2; Heb. 4:16).
We have a responsibility to faithfully serve the King (cf.Heb. 10:23; 11:6; Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:7-8; 1 Cor. 15:58).
If we are not careful we too can conspire against the King (cf. Mat. 12:30; Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26ff).
We must not succumb to spiritual suicide (cf. Rom. 6:23; Isa. 59:1-2).
We all make mistakes (Rom. 3:16, 23). Tragically, many enter eternity in the same condition as did Judas and Ahithophel: lost! It does not have to be this way. We have an opportunity to make things right! What will you choose: life or death?
Terry Townsend
Curry Church of Christ
Jasper, AL