If you can imagine yourself back in Jerusalem for a moment, consider what impact Judas’ betrayal would have had upon you. Judas was one of the Twelve, one of these men who had close fellowship with Jesus, authority, and office, and he turned away. None of us saw it coming, not even the apostles who knew him so well. Now if there was betrayal in the time that Jesus was present on earth, what is to say there will not be many more betrayals now that he is gone? Can we trust the eleven who remain? Are they all on board with Jesus’ plan or will they lead us astray? Betrayal creates mistrust and uncertainty.
You may be surprised by such a line of thinking but we must remember that the 120 people in that upper room were ordinary men and women. Ordinary men and women like you and me. Yes, many of them have seen Christ risen from the dead, but he is not physically present with them now and they all have friends and family who think them fools for following Jesus. Betrayed by his closest friend, the infamous story of Judas’ death would have made many of them feel uncomfortable and worried.
Peter, however, acts to encourage and comfort. Showing us that he paid close attention to what Jesus said in Luke 24, he explains that the betrayal, death, and replacement of Judas was actually predicted by the Scriptures. Far from being a reason for worry, Judas serves to confirm that Jesus is in complete control of events, and if he is in control, there is no need to be concerned because no one can stop his plans.
The fact that these events were prophesied in the past, albeit in general terms with types and anti-types, the prophecies of Scripture confirm that Jesus is the King of history. By the power of the Spirit and the mouth of David he revealed truth ahead of time. He was not surprised by Judas’ betrayal. What he has said will come to pass. He is in control. No one can stop his plans.
As a follower of Jesus today, we are not committing ourselves to a King who is unsure of victory. Jesus might be opposed by the chief priests and Pharisees, he might be opposed by the devil and all his angels, by your friends and family, or preachers who are wolves in sheep's clothing. There may be a host of people opposed to Jesus, but he is the King of history, sovereign over all. Nothing and no one will stop him from accomplishing his plan. Our trust, therefore, is not in the eleven, but in Christ who is working to build his kingdom.
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,