Bible Reading: Psalm 55, Revelation: 11: 1-19
“For it was not an enemy that reproach me: then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company”. – Psalm 55:12-14(KJV)
One of the most painful experience a man can have is to be betrayed. It is painful to be betrayed by someone, but for such betrayal to come from a very close acquaintance is like having a sharp sword thrust through your heart. For anyone who has been betrayed, you hardly can forget such experience. It is an action that aims directly at the heart, and that is where the pain comes from. The above scriptures relates to both King David and to Jesus Christ in prophecy. So the prophecy has double fulfilment.
DAVID
Prophecy was fulfilled in David when he was betrayed by his personal counsellor and close friend, Ahithophel, whose advice was as the counsel of God (2 Samuel 16:23). Ahithophel is the grandfather of Bathsheba the wife of Uriah with whom David committed adultery and took as a wife. Ahithophel’s grudge against David found outlet in the rebellion of Absalom to use as a tool to take vengeance on David for the disgrace he brought to his family and having Uriah his son-in-law killed.
JESUS CHRIST
This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ who was betrayed by his personal disciple and chosen apostle. A person as close as being the treasurer of his team.
In both cases, the betrayers were close acquaintances, people so close as to fellowship and worship God together. Jesus Christ is of the root of David and had to be truly of the root of David to have replicated this experience of human wickedness in his earthly ministry. The more I study the agonies and pains of Christ it dawns on me that they are very extensive. What Jesus had to suffer in the hands of humanity whom he came to save is unimaginable. He was stabbed behind by a person very close to him for a sum of thirty pieces of silver – What a shame!!. Christ suffered all these in order to give us succour. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertainingto God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” – Hebrews 2:16-18(KJV). Jesus Christ had to suffer all things in order to cover all areas for our sake. So for those of us that had suffered betrayal or will be betrayed, Christ is able to console us and fortify us.
Prayer: Father thank you for sending your son who suffered all things for me in order to adequately provide succour for my soul.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo