Could it be mere coincidence or manipulation of some sort that over three hundred prophecies concerning the Messiah were fulfilled with such exactitude in Jesus Christ? King David prophesied of Christ’s death in Psalm 22 “They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; they divide my garments amongst them, and for my clothing they cast lots” (verses 17, 18). The Gospels detail the terrible death of Jesus on the cross as a sacrifice and atonement for the sins of the world. The details of the betrayal of Christ were foretold hundreds of years before they occurred. But perhaps none of the events concerning the passion of Christ was as ignoble as the betrayal by Judas Iscariot.

Was Jesus Christ caught off guard by his betrayal? No. The scriptures foretold it. The omniscient Christ knew and predicted that his friend would betray him. “I speak not of you all; I know whom I have chosen; but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me” (John 13:18). “Jesus answered them, ‘Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil” (John 6:70). “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him” (John 6:64).

The question that comes to mind is, if Jesus knew about Judas, why was he chosen to be one of His disciples? One reason was to fulfill scripture that foretold of these events. (See John 13:18.) We may also ask why we were chosen ourselves knowing our hearts as we do and knowing very well our own weaknesses. If we look at all the apostles we find they are representative of all human nature and show us that if we yield ourselves to God, whatever we may be, He can change us and use us for His glory. It was here that Judas failed.

Perhaps, like many, Judas wanted a political or monetary solution for the evils of life. Jesus offered a spiritual solution, a change of heart. The scriptures tell us that Judas, the apostle’s treasurer, was a thief. He was unwilling to repent and put faith in Christ. “For as many as received Him gave He power to become the sons of God, to as many as believed in His name” (John 1:12). Judas would not accept the way of the cross – the sacrificial death of Christ for his sins. “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (see I Corinthians 1:18, 23, 24 NKJV). Judas should have known that even under the old covenant “without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” (Hebrews 9:22).

Judas plotted with the Jewish leaders how he could deliver Jesus into their hands. He was given thirty pieces of silver to do so. He serves as a warning to those who have lived since that day. There are many warnings in the Bible. Jonah rebelled against God and tried to run from Him. A whale swallowed him. Jesus used Jonah’s experience as a sign of His own death and resurrection. “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 NASB). Friend, if Ninevah is God’s choice for you, like Jonah you can find no other port of safety.

Jacob was a warning as well. “Whatsoever a man sows that also shall he reap.” Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup was a warning. (See Hebrews 12:16.) The New Testament also has many warnings, but Judas surpasses them all. There is something about him that makes us shudder. He could have been all that God purposed him to be, but throughout eternity he will be known as a traitor, a murderer who sold his soul to the devil, all because God’s grace was rejected. The clanking of thirty pieces of silver will forever ring in the ears of the one who betrayed his master with a kiss.

After Judas realized that he had betrayed an innocent man, the Son of God, he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the priests, but they refused to take them back. Judas cast them into the temple. Then weeping with remorse but without repentance, he died a horrible death by hanging himself. The priests realizing that it was blood money scattered across the temple floor in fulfillment of prophecy purchased the potter’s field with the money to be used as a cemetery for the indigent poor. (See Zechariah 11:12.)

Have you betrayed the Lord for “thirty pieces of silver?” Perhaps you have put money or man above Christ. Peter denied his Lord, but through repentance he was forgiven and restored. Don’t make the same mistake as Judas did. Heed his warning. There is hope and forgiveness for all that fail. Run to Jesus for mercy, not from Him. The penitent thief did and found a home in heaven (Luke 23:43). Jesus says to us, “All that the Father give me will come to me and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37).