Ep. 108. Psalm 69, 109 | The Cross and Judas

EPISODE 108

THE CROSS AND JUDAS: PSALM 69,109

One of the things you have learned by this point in our time together is how much of the Scripture points to the person and work of Jesus. These two Psalms reveal Jesus, and of course, both speak to Judas. It shouldn't surprise us how many times the New Testament quotes the Old Testament. In Psalm 69, we see several references to Jesus that are fulfilled in the New Testament.

"Those who hate me without cause" is quoted in John 15:25. "It is for your sake that I have borne reproach" is referenced in Hebrews 12 and 13. "Zeal for your house has consumed me" is unpacked in John 2:17. "The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me" is found in Romans. "They gave me poison (or gall) for food, and for my thirst, they gave me sour wine to drink" references the two types of drinks Christ was offered on the cross. We must remember that everything Jesus did and said was to fulfill what the Scripture declared he would accomplish. Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One, but to be confirmed as the Anointed One, he needed to fulfill every Old Testament Scripture that pointed to him. And he did. Perfectly.

These Psalms also reference Judas, though not by name. Peter quotes a line from each of these Psalms to indicate that Judas' camp would be desolate and that his days would be few with someone else to take his place. But if we continue to read these Psalms with Judas in mind, we get a few more details. Of this betrayer of the Messiah it says, "Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. Let him come forth guilty. Let him be blotted out of the book of the living. Let him not be enrolled among the righteous. May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow." These things point out the end of Judas. There was no repentance for him. There would be no redemption for him. There had to be a betrayer in the midst of the people close to Jesus. Judas happened to be that one. Jesus chose them all, but "one of you is a devil."

ADDITIONAL READING: John 15:25; John 2:17; Hebrews 13:13; Romans 15:3; Mark 15:23; Matthew 27:48; Acts 1:20; Psalm 41:9; John 13:8; John 6:70