Seek TRUTH - Choose LIFE
THE GOSPEL
Peter's denial
At the last supper Jesus predicted that one of the disciples will betray Him (Mark 14:18, John 6:70) to the Jewish authorities to be arrested and executed. Everyone was shocked (John 13:22) that something so unthinkable could happen from one of them. even Jesus condemned this betrayal, that it would have been better for this man not to be born (Mark 14:21). Just when Jesus's betrayal was condemned by Jesus and disciples Jesus predicted that they would in fact all abandon Him and doubt Him that very night (Matthew 26:31, 34, Mark 14:27). Peter who was the first to confess Jesus as the Son of living God (Matthew 16:16) took His warning to heart when Jesus said: “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33) Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” (Matthew 26:35) Jesus replied to him that not only he will deny Jesus but do it three times before the rooster crows in the morning of the next day.
Hours later that night Judas Iscariot led a group of soldiers to deliver Jesus into the hands of the priests who hired him (Matthew 26:15) for thirty pieces of silver. As we consider the crime Judas committed we condemn him for selling Jesus for a price of a slave, thirty pieces of silver as prophesied (Zecharias 11:13). Later that night Jesus was arrested and everyone ran their way (Mark 14:50). Peter followed from a distance to what will happen next (Matthew 26:58).
Peter followed into the courtyard where he was recognized by the servants by his behavior and speech (Matthew 26:73). But Peter denied he knew Jesus and that they are mistaken. suddenly the rooster crowed and He remembered the words of Jesus. "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly." (Matthew 26:75)
Peter was not just risking his life to see Jesus but also the life of his family. Jesus was to be tried and executed. Any associates would also be under threat including their families. Peter, who was a husband and a father, who worked very hard to provide for his family was now a threat to his loved ones. Peter denied that he knew Jesus in an effort to protect himself and those he loved. Peter left weeping out of the gates realizing that there may not be reconciliation for his denial (Matthew 10:32-33).
His character led him to follow Jesus anywhere He would go. Even in the toughest time he would stay strong. When there was a storm at the sea and Jesus came walking towards them it was Peter who dared to ask Jesus to let him walk to Him on the water (Matthew 14:28-29). When Jesus was being arrested in the garden it was Peter who pulled out word to strike a servant to protect Jesus (John 18:10). Yet in this subtle moment in the courtyard, it wasn’t a man with a sword or a strong storm that led to his denial - but a simple servant by the fire. After Jesus was resurrected He asked Peter if he still loved Him, to which Peter affirmed with grief that it was so (John 21:15-17). Jesus asked Peter three times for every time he denied Jesus in order to restore him.
Judas's confession
Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself. (Matthew 27:3-5)
If we consider the nature of the sin that Judas and Peter committed, Peter would have bigger condemnation. Both men were predicted to sin against Jesus and both men carried out Jesus's prediction to the fullest. The difference was in their hearts. Peter loved Jesus and Judas did not. The interesting thing with Judas is that he confessed and tried to make amends but he was driven by his ego. He could have humbled himself and ask Jesus for forgiveness. Jesus would have restored him the same way Jesus restored Peter but Judas hardened his heart and took his life. Judas was remorseful and sorry for what happened to Jesus but remorse cannot save anyone. Confession without life expression is meaningless.
"The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18
We have all sinned against God; some denying Him with our daily life and some betraying Him through the breaking of our promises to Him. God offers everyone reconciliation through Jesus Christ if we don't harden our hearts (Hebrews 3:8) like Judas but rather proclaim to love Him with our words and deeds. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15) and they are not hard (1-John 5:3). If we have the Holy Spirit living in us these will be easy. It is not our effort that counts but rather our love for Jesus that compels and motivates us to please him by following His word.