The Betrayers: Ahithophel And Judas Series

The Betrayers: Ahithophel and Judas

(2 Samuel 11-17, passim, with John 12:4-6)

1. A family was watching a movie of the life of Jesus on television. Their six-year-old daughter was deeply moved as the film realistically portrayed Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Tears ran down the little girl’s face as they took Him from the cross and laid Him in a borrowed tomb. She watched as a guard was set. Suddenly, a big smile broke on her face. She bounced up on the arm of the chair and said with great anticipation, "Now comes the good part." [source: sermoncentral, Jimmy Chapman].

2. When we think of Good Friday, the question arises, “Why do we call it good?” Perhaps because “good” used to also mean “holy.” But in reality, it is good – God used the evil act of crucifixion to work the greatest good ever – the redemption of mankind and the universe.

3. As we focus on this time of year, I will share with you the 5 great events of which every Christian should be aware: Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, and Pentecost.

4. There are many themes we could focus upon during this time, and today my theme is the betrayal of Judas foreshadowed by the betrayal of Ahithophel.

5. Like the death of Christ itself, so the betrayal of Jesus Christ is a great evil that contributed toward a greater good. What Judas did was wrong, but it was necessary.

6. Divorces that seemingly come out of nowhere. Betrayals. Unfaithfulness. Reversal of convictions. What makes a trusted person turn against and reject his or her friend?

Main Idea: Although we wonder why God allows evil people to prevail, it is sometimes His plan to use such individuals to accomplish a greater purpose.

I. Judas and Ahithophel are LINKED in Scripture.

A midrash is a New Testament elaboration on an Old Testament passage. A foreshadowing, however, is an event or occurrence in the O.T. that forebodes or illustrates a N.T. truth or event.

Both are, in the lose sense of the word, prophecies inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 55:12-14, “For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.”

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

Quoted in John 13:18-19, “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he.”

II. Judas and Ahithophel Shared Some SIMILARITIES.

A. Both were in positions of AUTHORITY.

The wisest man in David’s kingdom, best counselor, a good friend.

B. Both were generally TRUSTED.

C. Both had become DISILLUSIONED.

1. Ahithophel because of David’s horrible sins. David had 7 wives already.

2. Ahithophel was Bathsheba’s grandfather. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and impregnated her, he had her husband, Uriah, killed.

3. Ahithophel was probably close to Uriah, and hated to see his daughter become an adulteress at the kings command; he already had many wives. Ahithophel kept his objections quiet, apparently. God confronted David through Nathan the prophet, and announced that his baby to be born would die and that he would be on the run for a while due to an uprising – this was his punishment.

4. Judas became disillusions because of Jesus obedience to the Father’s will.

I Peter 4:14-16, “ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.”

D. Both turned maliciously against God’s appointed KING.

E. Both HANGED themselves.

III. Judas and Ahithophel Had Notable DIFFERENCES.

A. Ahithophel at one time was SINCERE; Judas was not.

John 12:4-6, 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.

B. Ahithophel was motivated by his HUMAN anger alone, as far as we know.