One of the worst actions that one man could take against another is betrayal, especially when it is done by a friend. For a few moments, let us look at the betrayal of the greatest friend anyone could ever have: Jesus Christ.

First, let us consider the prophecy of Jesus’ betrayal. Zechariah 11:12-13 says, “Then I said to them, ‘If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.’So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’ — that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter.” Zechariah is not only speaking of what happened to him but also what would happen to Christ. Consider the detail of this prophecy.

The odds of one being able to fake the fulfillment of it is nearly impossible when one considers the precision the fulfillment requires. Furthermore, the fulfillment was exact, just the way Zechariah had prophesied!

Next, let us consider the one who was betrayed. Jesus was the best friend anyone could ask for but still was betrayed for no more than 30 pieces of silver, the price of a slave.

Furthermore, Jesus was betrayed by a kiss (Luke 22:47-48), which normally would be a sign of love, but here was a sign of betrayal. Jesus knew He would be betrayed and how humiliating it would be, yet He did not prevent it. He foretold it to His apostles (Matthew 26:24, 45), including Judas, the one that betrayed Him (John 13:27).

Finally, let us consider the one who betrayed Jesus. Judas was an apostle, one who was sent to teach the message of Christ to mankind, yet he threw it all away for 30 pieces of silver. We all have our weaknesses and Judas’ weakness was money. It was said that “Satan entered Judas’ heart” (John 13:27). This meant Judas was overcome by one of Satan’s many devices, the love of money (1 Timothy 6:10). Many use John 13:27 to teach that since Satan entered his heart, he was not responsible for his actions.

However, Judas was not a puppet in the hands of Satan. He did what he did of his own choosing. Judas knew exactly what he was doing and what he had done after the betrayal. This is why he hanged himself (Matthew 27:1-5).

People can betray you just as Judas. Let us remember there is only One we can fully trust without worry of betrayal. God will never leave us or forsake us at anytime (Hebrews 13:5), and will be there for us until the very end.

Jonathan Glaesemann