His name was Ahithophel. He served King David as one of his most trusted advisors. In fact, in 2 Samuel 16:23, we read: “Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God.” Ahithophel chose to betray David and side with Absalom during his rebellion. Psalm 41 is believed to refer to the traitor Ahithophel and it is the Psalm Jesus quotes from in John 13:18 when He says, “He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.” David was writing about Ahithophel, trusted friend and advisor turned traitor. Jesus was referring to Judas. But the disciples didn’t know that. They didn’t have a clue who Christ was referring to. In fact, according to John, “His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant” (NIV). Matthew tells us that they immediately began to ask about themselves. No one thought of Judas. Even after Jesus hands him the bread and says to him, “Whatever you’re going to do, do it quickly” – they just thought he was sent by Christ on a special errand. How long had Judas hidden the poison in his heart? From Him, we learn that it is very easy to hide what is going on inside. He didn’t come to this decision at the Last Supper. Somewhere during the last three years, he went from being a devoted follower of Jesus to being a traitor willing to sell Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver. We can only ask, “What brought him here?” There is a simple explanation. It is found in Matthew’s writing about this event. When confronted with the revelation that there was a traitor among them, the disciples immediately began to ask, “Is it I?” Eleven men asked, “LORD (Master), is it me you are talking about?” One man asked, “Rabbi (teacher), is it me you are talking about?” That one man was Judas Iscariot. What is the difference between having Christ as Lord and seeing Jesus as just my teacher? His use of the term Rabbi revealed the spiritual distance between him and Christ Jesus. After three years with Christ – hearing Him teach, watching Him drive demons out, raise the dead, walk on water, calm raging storms, heal and deliver thousands, feed multitudes – after all Judas has seen and heard in and through Jesus – he calls him Rabbi? That’s the best he can do? How much spiritual distance is there between you and Christ right now? It is highly possible that reading this article today, there are those who willingly call Jesus their Savior but do not truly acknowledge Him as Lord and Master. Because, to say that He is Lord is something altogether different. To call Him Lord means that He has full authority and ownership. He is the Ruler of my Life. He is the Master of my entire life. I can have many teachers, but only ONE Lord. Is Christ truly your Lord and Master?
