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TwomenwhoweredisciplesofJesus.TwomenwhofollowedHimforthreeyearsandwitnesseditall.
Theywerethere.Theywereleadersamongthedisciples.Andyettheyhadanotherthingin
common....therejectedJesusandturnedagainstHimatthemostcriticalmomentofHislife.
Howmanyofyoupersonallyknowsomeoneatschool,atwork,orinyourneighborhoodwhois
namedPeter?HowmanyofyoupersonallyknowsomeonenamedJudas?Howmanyofyouhaveever
evenmetsomeonenamedJudas?Whyisthat?TammyandIneverevenconsideredthenameJudas
foraboy.Youwanttoknowwhatelse?ThenameJudasactuallyhasagreatmeaning!Itmeans
“praised”or“celebrated.”
JudasandPeter.Twoverydifferentmen.Whenwespeakofthem,wegetverydifferentreactions.
WeoftenexaltPeter.WenameourkidsPeter.WeplacePeterinheaven.Butweoftencondemn
Judas.WenameourenemiesJudas.WeputJudasinthelowestpitinhell.Butreally,Peterand
Judashadalotincommon.
ThoughitisquitecertainthatJudasisamongthedamned,whatwastherealdifferencebetween
PeterandJudasthatbroughtaboutsuchanawfulendforJudasandablessedendforPeter?And
whatimportantlessoncanwelearntodayfromthelivesofthesetwoapostles?
Imeanitjustseemsweirdright?JudasbetrayedJesusandturnedHimoverformoney.ButPeter
deniedJesusandcursedaboutit.Notonlyoncebutthreetimes.
Bothfelthorribleaboutwhattheyhaddone.Bothhadgenuineregret,genuinesorrow,andwould
doanythingtomakeupfortheirmistake.
ItisclearfromScripturethattheybothfeltguilt,shame,regret,remorseandtruegenuine
sorrow.
YetJesusturnstoPeterandsays,Iamprayingforyou....thatyouwillresistSatan'stemptation.
AndtoJudasJesussays,godowhatyoumustanditisbetterifyouhadneverbeenborn.
Seriously...wereisthemercy?Whereistheforgiveness?Whatisgoingonhere?
WasJudas'sinthatmuchworse?Wasitunforgivableinsomeway?Hefeltbad,realbadaboutwhat
hehaddone.Heeventakesthemoneyhewasgivenandtriestoreturnit.Hesaysthatherealized
hehadbetrayedinnocentblood.
Soundsprettygoodtome.What'supJesus?Whytheharshresponse?Judasfeltsobadabout
whathehaddonethathehunghimself!
Regret...guilt....shame....remorseforoursins....isn'tthatwhatyouwantfromus?
YetJudasiscalledadevilandPeteriscalledarock.OnPeteryousaidyouweregoingtobuild
yourchurch....yetJudas....oneofthedisciplesyouchose...
Acts1:16–19(ESV)—16“Brothers,theScripturehadtobefulfilled,whichtheHolySpiritspoke
beforehandbythemouthofDavidconcerningJudas,whobecameaguidetothosewhoarrested
Jesus.17Forhewasnumberedamongusandwasallottedhisshareinthisministry.”18(Nowthis
manacquiredafieldwiththerewardofhiswickedness,andfallingheadlongheburstopeninthe
middleandallhisbowelsgushedout.19AnditbecameknowntoalltheinhabitantsofJerusalem,
sothatthefieldwascalledintheirownlanguageAkeldama,thatis,FieldofBlood.)
PeterarockthefoundationofthechurchandJudasbustsagutandleavesbehindafieldof
blood.
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ThefieldwouldlaterbecalledtheValleyofHinnom(PHOTO1)wherechildrenwereburnedto
offersacrificetothefalsegodofMolechandavalleythatgivesusthenameGehennatranslated
inthebibleashell.
ThisisakeysubplotoftheEasterStory.Itiscriticalbecauseitidentifiesakeyfocusthateither
placesusinheavenwithJesusorinHellwithJudas.
Wearegoingtolearnthatitwasnotonlytheresponsetoeachoftheirsinsthatdistinguishes
theireternaldestiny,itisthelifethatleduptothatmoment.
Bothofthesemencametoamomentoftruth....buttheirlivesuptothatmomentnotonly
shaped....butdefinedtheirresponse.
PeterandJudashadalotofsimilarities
TheywerebothapostleswholefteverythingtofollowJesus.Theywerebotheyewitnessesto
everythingthatJesusdidandsaidwithafewexceptions.Theybothhadrespectablepositionsamong
theotherapostlesandwerelookedupto.
EachonvariousoccasionshadtoberebukedorcorrectedbyJesus.Bothwerenotperfectbutno
oneanticipatedthattheywouldbothfallthewaytheydid.Jesuswarnedthembothaboutwhat
theyweregoingtodobeforetheydidit.
Buttheybothdiditanyway.Bothregrettedtheiractionsandfeltgenuineremorse.Bothwerefilled
withoverwhelmingsorrow,shameandguilt.Bothexperiencedseriousconsequencesfortheir
actions.
Whatwassodifferentabouttheirsins?JudasplottedwiththeJewishleaderstohandJesusoverfor
money.PeterdeniedthatheknewJesusnotoncebutthreetimes!Isthereanydifferencebetween
betrayingJesusanddenyingHim?IstherereallyanydifferencebetweenbetrayingHimtogetmoney
anddenyingHimtosaveyourownskin?
Infact,sometimesGod'speoplecandosomerealwhoppers!LiketurningintheLordformoney.Or
outandoutcussin'andhollerin'thatyoudon'tknowtheMan!Betrayal.Denial.Lookingoutfor
NumberOne!That'swhatJudasandPeterdid.Theyjustdiditintwodifferentways.Butnotjust
JudasandPeter.YouandIdoit.Byoursins.ByourbeingashamedofGod'sWordanddenyingour
Lord.Byalwaysputtingourselvesfirstwhenit'susortheLord.Orputtingourselvesaheadofour
neighbor;tramplingonotherstogetwhatwewantandwhatwillmakeuscomfortable.Judas'sin,
Peter'ssin,yoursin—there'snotanydifference.
Weneedtodigdeeper.
Lookingabitdeeperatthesetwo
PeterwasprobablyoneofJesus'threeclosestfriends(alongwithJamesandJohn).Theyoftenspent
timealonewithJesusandwitnessedthingsnotseenbytheothernineapostles.
NoonebelievedthatPeterwouldeventuallyclaimthathedidn'tevenknowJesus-andthathewould
doitthreetimes.
Jesuswarnedhim;yetPeterclaimedthathewouldneverdosuchathing!(Mark14:30-31)[Jesustold
theapostlesthattheywouldallabandonhim,butnoneofthembelievedit-Mark14:27,31.]
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WhenaskedifheknewJesus,Peterdeniedit.Hedidthisthreetimes,thelasttimevery
vehemently.(Matthew26:69-74)[Also,therestofthedisciplesabandonedJesus-Mark14:50.]
Peterranoutofthecourtyardandweptbitterly.(Matthew26:75)
Butnoticewherehewentnext.
Luke24:33–35(ESV)—33AndtheyrosethatsamehourandreturnedtoJerusalem.Andthey
foundtheelevenandthosewhowerewiththemgatheredtogether,34saying,“TheLordhas
risenindeed,andhasappearedtoSimon!”35Thentheytoldwhathadhappenedontheroad,
andhowhewasknowntotheminthebreakingofthebread.
Petermadeahorriblemistakebuthedidn'tseparatehimselffromChristianfellowship.
Peterreturnedtotheremainingapostles,waseventuallyvisitedbyresurrectedJesus,andwas
"reinstated"withthetaskoftakingcareofJesus'"sheep."
JesusforewarnedPeterthathewouldalsodieonacross.ButPeterdidnotgetpreoccupied
withthoughts(andanxiety)aboutwhathewouldeventuallysuffer.Instead,heacceptedit,
andthenfocusedondoingthingsthatwouldbeofbenefittoothers-suchasencouraging
theminthewayofsalvation.
HefailedJesusanddeniedHimwhiletryingtoprovehisfaithfulness,afailurethatwastheresultof
fearratherthanulteriormotivesofdisloyalty.Hisrepentanceafterthefactwasgenuine,witha
mournfulweepingofhavingdeniedtheLordheloved.
PeterwasamanwhoseheartwasrightwithhisLord,amanwhosetemporarydownfallwas
causedbytakinghiseyesoffofJesusandtryingtoserveGodinhisownstrength.
WhenweexamineJudas’scharacterandlifestyle,wefindquiteadifferentstory.
Judaswasreprovedforhiscomplaintregardingthe"wastefulness"ofthewoman,whopoured
expensiveperfumeoverJesus'feet
NooneknewthatJudaswasagreedythiefandwouldevenbewillingto"sell"someoneformoney
JesustoldJudasthatheknewhisintentions.
Evenjustafewsecondsbeforehisbetrayal,whenJesuscalledJudas"friend",hemayhavebeen
offeringJudasafinalopportunitytochangehismindaboutwhathewasgoingtodo.Ifso,Judas
completelyignoredit.
JudasbetrayedJesusfor30silvercoins.
WhenJudaswenttobetrayJesus,wearetoldthatSatanactuallyenteredintohim,andlikewise
againwhenhewenttoleadthehostilegrouptoJesus
JudaswentbacktothereligiousleadersandclaimedthatJesuswasinnocent.Hethrewdownthe
moneyandleft.
ThoughJudaseventuallythrewthemoneyawayandthenwentandhangedhimselfitwasmost
likelyfromanoverwhelmingguiltthatGodallowedhimtoexperienceastheself-inflicted
punishmentforhiscrime.TheonlyrepentanceweseeinthisactionisJudas’srecognitionthathe
hadsinnedbybetraying“innocentblood,”butthereisnoevidenceofbeliefinJesusastheSonof
God.
Judashangedhimself.
Judaswentto"wherehebelongs."
YetJesus'responsetoeachofthemwasdifferent.
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ButwerecallthatwhenJesussaid,“Oneofyouwillbetrayme,”thedisciplessaidamongthemselves,
“Whoisit,Lord?IsitI?”WhenJudasasked,“IsitI,Rabbi?”Jesussaidtohim,“Youhavesaidso”
Jesus’finalwordstoJudaswere“Whatyouaregoingtodo,doquickly”.AndHedismissedhimfrom
theirpresence.
WhenJesusprophesiedthatPeterwoulddenyhim,Peterprotestedprofusely.“Thoughtheyallfall
awaybecauseofyou,Iwillneverfallaway,”hesaid.ThisbringstomindPaul’sadmonition,“Let
anyonewhothinksthathestandstakeheedlesthefall”,becauseJesusthenturnedtoSimonand
saidtohiminlovingterms,“Simon,Simon,behold,Satandemandedtohaveyou,thathemightsift
youlikewheat”
Siftingwheatisnotalaborioustaskthatonlythestrongcanperform.Itmaytaketimeanditmaybe
tedious,butit’snotlaborintensive.Inusingthismetaphor,JesusiscautioningSimonnottorelyon
hisownstrength,becauseitwouldbeaneasythingforSatantoenticehimtofall.Satanisstronger
thanPeter,andwouldhavenotroubleovercomingwhateverstrengthPeterthoughthehad.
Notice,however,thatJesusdoesnotsaytoPeter,“Whatyouaregoingtodo,doquickly.”Our
Lord’swordstoSimonPeterweresignificantlydifferentfromwhatHesaidtoJudas.Hesaid,“Ihave
prayedforyouthatyourfaithmaynotfail.Andwhenyouhaveturnedagain,strengthenyour
brothers”
NoticewhatJesusdoesn'tsay.Hedoesn'tsimplyhopethatPeterwillbeabletoresistSatan,or
thathewillreturn,orthathewillbeabletostrengthenthebrothers.Heexpressescertaintythat
Peterwilldothesethings
TherewasnodoubtinJesus’mindnotonlythatPeterwouldfall,andfallabysmally,butalsothat
Peterwouldberestored.Indeed,historytestifiesthatPeter,inspiteofthisradicalandseriousfall,
neverthelessenduredtotheend.Herepented,hewasforgiven,hewasrestored,andheendured
totheend.
Oksowhyaretheyperceivedsodifferentlybyus....bytheapostles....byJesus?
JudasandPeterbothhadsorrowoverwhattheyhaddone.Buttherewasabigdifferenceinthenature
oftheirsorrow:Judashadasorrowthatledonlytoregretandeventualdespair.Peterhadasorrowthat
wentbeyondregret-allthewaytoachangedlife.
2Corinthians7:8–11(ESV)—8ForevenifImadeyougrievewithmyletter,Idonotregretit—thoughI
didregretit,forIseethatthatlettergrievedyou,thoughonlyforawhile.9Asitis,Irejoice,not
becauseyouweregrieved,butbecauseyouweregrievedintorepenting.Foryoufeltagodlygrief,so
thatyousufferednolossthroughus.10Forgodlygriefproducesarepentancethatleadstosalvation
withoutregret,whereasworldlygriefproducesdeath.11Forseewhatearnestnessthisgodlygriefhas
producedinyou,butalsowhateagernesstoclearyourselves,whatindignation,whatfear,whatlonging,
whatzeal,whatpunishment!Ateverypointyouhaveprovedyourselvesinnocentinthematter.
Waitaminute.Theyaretwotypesofgrief?Twotypesofsorrow?GodlysorrowandWordilySorrow?
Oneleadstolifeandtheotherleadstodeath?
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Soitisnotthesinoreventheseverityofoursins...itisourresponsethatmatters?
Thereisahugedifferencebetweenremorseandrepentance.Almosteverypersonfeelsremorsefor
themistakesthattheyhavemade.Thefeelbad,theyfeelguilty,theyfeelshameful-weallunderstand
thefeelingofremorse.
Wehaveallseenthisright?Thepersoncaughtintheirsin....crying...ashamed....feeling
badly....tellingushowsorrytheyareforwhattheyhavedone...offeringtodosomethingforus....to
payusback....tomakeitright....
ThatisWorldlySorrow.Thatisremorse.Thatresponsealoneleadstodeath.
REMORSE-mayadmitthewrongnessofwhatwasdone,butdoesnotnecessarilyimplyanykind
ofchangeinheartattitudeorlifestyle.
WhyisJudasinHell?Heonlyhadremorse.
WheneverGodhearaconfession....Iamlookingforsomethingmuchdeeperandmuchmore
importantthanremorse....Heislookingforevidenceofrepentance.
REPENTANCE-involvesachangeinthewaywethinkandact.Itresultsinachangeinlifestyle.
Godrequiresthischangeinus.Healsomakesthischangepossible.
Whyisthissocritical?RepentanceistheworkoftheHolySpirit.Remorseistheworkofourflesh
andmind.
ButasChrist-followerswearecommandedtorepent.
Remorsecanleadustorepentance,buttheyarecompletelydifferentresponses.Repentanceis
evidenceoftheworkoftheHolySpiritinyourlife.
BothPeterandJudaswereremorseful.ButonlyPeterwasrepentant.
Sohowdidtheygettothispoint?WhydidPeterreactwithGodlysorrowandJudaswithworldly
sorrow?
Wellthisshouldn'tbeasurprisetous.Arelivesarerarelydefinedbyasinglemoment,asingle
decision,asingleday.Usuallyourresponseinamomentoftruthisbasedonhowwehavelivedour
livesuptothatmoment.
Inotherwordsthekeymomentsinourlives....thekeydecisionswemake.....don'tdetermineour
character....theyrevealthecharacterthatisorisnotthere.
InordertounderstandhowPeterendedupinHeavenandJudasendedupinHell,wehavetogo
backandexaminetheirlivespriortothesekeydecisions.
WhatwelearnaboutPeterfromtheBibleisthathehadasincereheartforGod.HisloveforJesus
wasreal.Heknewhewasasinnerinneedofsalvation.ThoughPeter’sactionsmaynothave
alwaysbeenwise,theoverallpatternofhisrelationshipwithJesuswasoneofloyaltyand
faithfulness.
Unlikemostoftheotherapostles,hedidnotdesertJesus,butinsteadfollowedHim,eveninto
theenemy’scampWemustrememberthatifPeterhadnotfollowedinloyalty,hewouldhave
mostlikelyneverhavebeeninthedangerouspositionwhichendedupinadenialofhismaster.
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AfterPeterfollowedJesusintothecourtofthehighpriestandwasaccusedofbeinga
followerofJesus,hebegantodenyHim,evencursingandswearing.Yet,thisdenialwasmost
certainlydrivenbyfear.Afterthedenial,JesuslookeduponPeter,whothenwentoutand
“weptbitterly”overwhathehaddone
PerhapsitwouldhavebeendifferentifPeterhadremainedinthecompanyofhiscompassion
andChristianbrother,John.
Peterhadtoberebukedandcorrectedmanytimes,forhewasquiteimpulsiveandoftendidor
saidthingsthathelaterregretted.Ononesuchoccasionhereceivedthesternestrebukerecorded
inScripture,giventoanapostlebyJesus.
Peter’ssincerityanddeterminationtoloyallyfollowJesusisveryapparent.EventhoughJesus
rebukedhimatonepointforallowinghimselftobeusedbySatantotemptHim,itwasmost
likelywhatPetermistakenlyfelttobebestforJesusatthetime.
PeteralsofeltunworthytohaveJesuswashhisfeet,andhestubbornlyresistedtheeffortat
first.AndwhenJesustoldPeterthathewoulddenyHim,Peterinsistedthathewaswillingto
followJesuseventoprisonordeath
Afterthisconversation,itismostprobablethatPeterwasmoredeterminedthaneverto
followJesus,regardlessoftheconsequences,hopingtoprovehisfaithfulness.Wefindthe
firstevidenceofthiswhentheycametoseizeJesus,foritwasPeterwhotookactionand
fought,slicingofftheearofthehighpriest’sservant.
WecanalsolearnalotfromthewayJesusviewedPeter.ItisquiteclearfromScripturethat
JesussawwithinPetersomethingveryspecial,aninnerstrengthandasincerityofpurposein
followingHimandinservingGod.Attheverybeginningoftheirrelationship,Jesussurnamed
himCephas,whichmeansastone.HealsodeclaredthattheChurchwouldactuallybeginits
growththroughPeter;thiswasfulfilledwhenPeterdeclaredthefirstsermonoftheChurch
wherethousandswereconvertedandtheChurchbeganitsrapidexpansion
Ofalltheapostles,itwasPeterwhohadenoughfaiththathecouldwalkoutonthewaterto
ChristbeforebeingdistractedbythestrongwindaroundhimThoughChristcalledhimaman
of“littlefaith”afterhesank,wemustrememberthatitwashighlyunlikelythatanyofthe
otherapostleshadenoughfaithtoevenbegintowalkonthewater.
Theterm“littlefaith”wasusedquiteoftenbyJesusforothersaswell.Wealmostgetthe
feelingthatJesusexpectedmoreoutofPeterwhenHesaid,“Whydidyoudoubt?"
ItisthisstrengthandsincerityofpurposethatJesussawinPeterthatmayhavebeenthereason
Satanwantedto“sifthimaswheat,”whichJesusrespondedtobyprayingforPeter
ItwasPeterwholeaptoutoftheboatwhenhelearneditwasJesusontheshoreafterHis
resurrection.ItwasduringthisencounterthatJesusquestionedhimabouthowmuchPeter
reallylovedHim.TheemphasiswasnotonwhetherPeterlovedHim,buttowhatdegree,
drivinghomethepointthatgenuineloveisconveyedinsacrificeofself.
ButwhenweexamineJudas'lifeweseesomethingverydifferent.
Judaswasthetreasurerofthegroup,theonewhoheldthemoney.Whenthewomanpouredthe
bottleofexpensiveointmentoverJesus’feet,itwasJudaswhocomplained,declaringthatthe
moneycouldhavebeenusedforthepoor
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Judas’sobjectionwasbecausehewasathiefwhowasstealingfromthegroup’smoney,andnot
becausehereallycaredforthepoor.Eveninthisincident,weseenorealloveorconcernabout
Jesus,andonlyafalsepietyaboutthepoor.Judaswasmoreconcernedaboutmoneythanhe
wasaboutJesus.Wecanalmostassumethattherewasabsolutelynogenuineconcernabout
Jesuswhatsoever.
Judashadtheprivilegeofbeingthegroup'streasurer.Hisreputationwasgoodenoughthat,
whenJesustoldtheapostlesthathewouldbebetrayed,andthengaveJudasthebreadand
toldhimtoleave,nobodythoughttherewasanyconnectionbetweenthetwoevents.
AccordingtotheScriptures,thoughJesusoftenspokeencouragingwordstoPeter,Henever
spokeanythingpositiveorencouragingtoJudas.JesushimselfsaidthatJudaswas“adevil”.He
alsosaidthatitwouldhavebeenbetterifJudashadnotevenbeenborn
JudasbetrayedJesusbecausehedidnotloveHim.Heonlycaredabouthimselfandhis
personalagendas.Judasconfessedhissinwithoutrepentance.Therewasnoradicalchangein
hismindthatresultedinachangefromspiritualdeathtospirituallifethroughfaithinJesus
Christ.TruerepentancewouldhaveturnedhimtoJesusforforgiveness.
Again,thebetrayalitselfwasledbyJudas’sselfishdesireformoney.HebetrayedJesusfor30
piecesofsilver,thepriceofaslave.ThisdishonorablevaluationoftheSonofGodshows
Judas’strueheart;hisdesirewasformoneyratherthanforChrist.
UnliketheloveJesushadforPeter,thereisnosuchevidenceofanylikeemotionforJudas.Thisis
becauseJesusknewthatJudas’sheartwasfullofself-interestandulteriormotives.
WhywasJudasreallyfollowingJesus?
Whateverhisthoughtsonthesematters,itisalmostcertainthathewasfollowingJesusoutof
self-interest,withulteriormotivesofhisowngaininthematerialworld.WhileJudasdesired
richesoverChrist,hisendwasdeath,andeventhesilverhehadreceivedforhisbetrayalof
Jesuswasinsteadspentonafieldwherestrangerscouldbeburied.
UnliketheloveofPetershowntowardChrist,wefindnosuchemotioncomingfromJudas,but
ratheraheartwithaloveformoney.WhilePeterwassincereinhisrelationshipwiththeSonof
God,Judaswasnot.
AsPeterstruggledtoserveandfollowJesusinloyaltyandfaithfulness,Judasmaintaineda
secretagendainwhichJesuswasmerelyameanstoassistinachievinghisselfishobjectives.The
majordifferencebetweenPeterandJudaswasthecontrastofheartsthatconveyeditselfinthe
actionsofthetwomen.PeterwasagenuinediscipleandbelieverinChrist;thefaithofJudas
wasfalse.
TherealtragedyofJudas'lifeisnothisbetrayal,buthislifeendingindespair—hishopelessnessthatled
himtoseehimselfasbeyondtherealmofGod’smercyandforgiveness,astrulyabandonedand
forsakenandburiedinshame.
ForPeter,ontheotherhand,thereistruemourningandsorrow,asPeter’seyesmeetourLord’safter
denyingevenknowingJesusthreetimes.Peter—whowasfullofbrashconfidence—hasnowcomeface
tofacewithhisownweaknessandinconstancy.Andthisconfrontationwiththetruthhurts.
ButPeter’smourning—whilepainful—bringshimtothetruthandultimatelyrepentance.Thekey
differencebetweenPeterandJudashereisthatPeter’smourningincludesaglimmerofhopeanda
senseofGod’sinfinitemercy.AndthisgivesPeterthechancetostartover;movedbyGod’sgraceand
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havingcomefacetofacewithhisownweakness,nowheisreadytoletGodworkthroughhiminan
evenmorepowerfulway.
PeterrecognizedbothhisbrokennessandGod'sMercy.JudasneverunderstoodorembracedGod's
Mercy.
ThisisthewayGodseesus:asbrokenandwounded,andsohelongstohealandtransformus;butitis
onlywhenweare“poorinspirit”—whenwerecognizeourbrokennessintruehumility—thatwecan
allowGodtoengage,heal,andtransformusattheverydeepestlevelsofourbeing.Whenwethinkwe
can“doitourselves,”wehinderGod’sworkinourlives;
Thisisoneofthegreatliesofthedevil,onethatkeepsmanyfromtrulyallowingGodintotheirlives;
manygreatlysufferfromtheliethatGodcan’ttrulyloveusasweare—thatweoughttocleanupfirst
andthenwe’llreturntoGod.ButfromGod’sperspective,therealityisactuallythereverse:weneedto
surrenderinourbrokenness;andaswecontinuetodothat,Hecleansupourlifefromtheinside.
Thereisanotherdifferencethatweshouldnote.Wheredidtheygooncetheyrealizedtheyhadsinned?
WhenJudasbetrayedJesus,washesorry?Ofcoursehewas!WhenPeterbetrayedJesus,washesorry?
Heweptbitterly.ButwheredidJudasgowithHisburdenofguiltandshame?Hemadeabeelinetothe
PhariseesandHighPriest.ThereJudascriedoutHisbitterconfession:“Ican'ttakethismoney!I've
sinned!I'vebetrayedinnocentblood!”Thereitis:sorrowoverhissinsandconfessionofhissins.But
hearthepreachinghereceivesagainsthissins.“Whatisthattous?Youseetoit!That'snotour
problem.That'syourproblem.Wecan'thelpyou.You'dbettergoanddealwithityourself.”Andsince
Judascouldn'tsavehimself,hedidtheonlythinghecould:heperished.
Judasreceivesisthepreachingofalltheworld'sreligions:“Saveyourself.”Youhavetopickyourself
backup.Ifyou'vesinned,it'sonyoutoworkitoutandmakeitright.Jesussaiditwouldbebetterif
Judashadneverbeenborn.JesusdoesNOTsaythisbecauseJudas'betrayalisanunforgivablesin.Jesus
doesNOTsaythisbecauseHisdeathwasnotforJudas;itwas!HesaysitbecauseHeknowshowitis
goingtoend:Judaswillnotembracethetruththatwillforgiveandsavehim.Judasisinhelltoday
becauseHerejectedJesusashisSavior.Itsthatsimple.Hedidn'tlosehissalvation.Heneverhadit.
Peter'ssinwasnodifferentthanJudas'.Oursinsarenotanydifferenteither.ButPeterwasinthe
church.HewasamongthedisciplesofJesus.Hewastherewhentheannouncementwasmadethatthe
Lordwasalive.HewastherewhenJesusappearedaliveonEaster.HewastheretohearChristcallhim
torepentanceandthreetimesrestorehimandsendhimtofeedHissheep.Inotherwords,Peterwas
wherethecrucifiedandrisenJesuswastoforgivehissinsandcomforthimwiththatGoodNewsoflife
andsalvation.
Soitiswithyou.TheLordhasputyouinachurchwherewhatJesusdidforyouisdeliveredtoyou.
WhenyoulookinthemirrorofGod'sLawandseethatyourareasinnerandyouhavesorrowoveryour
sinsandyouconfessthem,youwillnothearthatyoumustworkitforyourselfandseetoityourself.
Rather,youwillhearthatallthatJesusdidHedidforyou.Youwillberemindedinthepreachingand
teachingoftheGospelthatyouhaveNOsintoobigthatitcannotbetakenawaybyJesusblood.Youare
remindedthatyouhavebeenrebornspirituallyandthatthereisnocondemnationforthoseinChrist
Jesus.
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Youwillbeguidedtoconfess.....repent....andreleaseittoGod
InaNutshell....PeterrantoGod....FueledbyalifeintheSpirit....
Judasrantoman...fueledbyalifeintheflesh.
EverythingoftheSpiritlivesforeverwithGod....Everythingofthefleshdiesandisseparated
fromGod.
Withthosethoughtsinmind,Let'sfocusforamomentonRembrandt's(PHOTO2)paintingsofthese
events.
Completedwhenhewasjusttwenty-threeyearsold,Rembrandt’sJudasReturningtheThirtyPiecesof
Silver(PHOTO3)haslongbeenrecognizedastheartist’sfirstmaturework,hisfirstmasterpiece.The
paintingdemonstratesmanyofthecharacteristicsthatwouldcometodefineRembrandt’sstyle:
dramaticlighting,arhythmicharmonyofcomposition,andhisexceptionalabilitytoconveythe
emotionaldramaofascene.
Matthew27:3–5(ESV)—3ThenwhenJudas,hisbetrayer,sawthatJesuswascondemned,hechanged
hismindandbroughtbackthethirtypiecesofsilvertothechiefpriestsandtheelders,4saying,“Ihave
sinnedbybetrayinginnocentblood.”Theysaid,“Whatisthattous?Seetoityourself.”5Andthrowing
downthepiecesofsilverintothetemple,hedeparted,andhewentandhangedhimself.
Rembrandthascompressedthisnarrativeintoonemoment.JustafterJudashasthrowndownthe
money,amomentwhenthepriestsandeldershadjustmadetheircurtreply.(PHOTO4)
HepositionstheEldersinavastandimposingspacetomakethemlookbigger.Thepriestsandelders
havethickandlargesolidbodiesinrichclothingthatisechoedbythehangingdrapery.(PHOTO5)
Bycontrast,Judas(PHOTO6)isinaplainbrownrobethatappearstobeslippingfromhisshoulder,
revealinghisundergarment.Hisvisibleeyeisnearlyclosedbuttearful.Hislipsareparted.Hisscalpis
bloodyfromascalpareawherehehastornouthishair.Hishandsareclaspedtogetherandheis
kneelinginaprayerposition.Hishandstooarebleeding
PHOTO7
Whenyoulookatthefaces.Remember,Rembrandtisallabouteyesandfaces.TheagonyonJudas'face
iscontrastedwiththeelderswhoshowirritation,rejection,indifference,indignation,andintwofaces
turnedfromhim,greed.Twocan'tresistturningtolookatthecoins.
RememberRembrandtisalsoabouthands.Twooftheeldershavetheirhandsextendedasifstiff
armingJudas.AsiftoreinforcewhattheyhavesaidandtopushJudasawayfromthem.
Onthetabletotheleftisasacredbookthatliesopen.Theleftpageispulledatthecornerasifthe
readerwithhisbacktoushasbeeninterruptedfromhisreadingbythesoundofsliverhittingthefloor.
ThisbookhasHebrewwordswrittenatthetop.Theymean"Toknowyourmistakeandruin"
Rembrandtsetsthesceneindoorsandleavesmostoftheinteriordark.Thisgiveshischaractersa
fleetingqualityandlendsthesceneavitalitycommensuratewiththesuddennessofwhatitportrays
Rembrandtwasselectiveaboutthesourcesoflightheletentertheroom.Thissimplifiedthe
relationshipsbetweentheforegroundandbackground,lendingthewholesceneavisualcoherencethat
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isoftenmissingfromhisearlierworks.Italsoallowedhimtodepictmetallicreflectionswith
breathtakingvividness.
TherelativedarknessallowsRembrandttouseanundercoatofwhitethatmakesthegoldofTorah
Shieldatthepaintingscenter,thefoilwovenintotherobesofhighpriests,andmostimportantly,the
thirtypiecesofsilverJudashasjuststrewnacrossthefloorshimmerforourattention(PHOTO8)
ThroughoutmostofWesternhistory,theportrayalofJudaswasnotcomplicated.Heisthetruevillainof
theNewTestament.InmedievalportrayalsoftheApostles,Judasisalwaysdiscerniblebyhislackofa
halo.Hisrobesareoftenyellow,thecolorofavarice.Heiscommonlyportrayedwithredhair,what
Shakespearecalledthe"dissemblingcolor,"andwiththemostpronouncedSemiticfeatures.Depictions
ofJudas’fewstandalonemomentsintheNewTestament,suchashissuicide,areoftenadornedwith
satanicfigurestoleavenodoubtintheviewer’smindaboutthenatureandultimatefateoftheunsaved
Jew.
(PHOTO9)Rembrandt’sportrayalofJudas,bycontrast,issohumaneastobesubversive.Rembrandt
doesnothingtofeedourhungerforcontempt.Instead,Judasisonhisknees,handstightlyclasped.His
hair,whichisbrowninsteadofred,ispulledandtussled.Hisrobe,whichisbrowninsteadofyellow,
hangspatheticallyoffhisshoulders.Spatteringsofreddropletsacrosshisfaceandnecksuggestthat
Judasisinsuchanguishthathehasbeensweatingblood,asJesusissaidtohavedonewhenfacinghis
owndeathbycrucifixion.
Judas’gazeisnotonanyoftheeighthighpriests,whosurroundhim.Itisnottowardtheheavens.Itis
traineddesperatelyandhopelesslyonthethirtypiecesofsilverhehasstrewnacrossthefloor.Judasis
notseekingredemption.Heistooovercomebythepriceforwhichhehassoldhimself.
PHOTO10ThiscompassionatedepictionofJudasismadeallthemorestartlingbytheportrayalofwhat
surroundshim.AsstrikingasRembrandt’srenderingofJudasis,heisoneoftheleastdistinctfiguresin
thepainting.Atfirstglance,theviewer’seyecannothelpbutbedrawntothelusteroftheTorahShield,
whichthenleadstheeyetotheonlyslightlylessshimmeringrobesofthehighpriests.Ittakesa
momenttonoticeJudasandhispredicament
Infact,nooneinthepaintinglooksatJudas.PHOTO11Thefattestandapparentlyhighestofthe
priests,whowearsthemostshimmeringrobes,turnsawayindisgust,thrustinghishandupina
defensivegesturetoshieldhiseyesfromJudas’face.
PHOTO12Anotherhashishandsimilarlyextendedtowardthethirtypiecesofsilver,thoughitis
ambiguouswhetherheisavertinghiseyesfromthemorreachingoutforthem.
Threeotherfigureslookatus.Eachhasadifferentposture.Buttheirexpressionsarethesame.These
threemenseeusseeingsomethingweshouldnotbeseeing.Wehavestumbledintotheirconspiracy.
Yet,theirexpressionsalsoforceustoansweratroublingquestion.Whypreciselyisitthatweareprivy
tothisscene?Wearenotviewingthissecretlyafterall.Thepriestsarenotsurprisedthatwearethere.
Ourpresenceisnotinterruptingwhathashappened.ItisJudaswhohasburstinandinterruptedus.We
belonginthisgildedroom.Wemaynotbeoneofthehighpriests,butweareintheircompany.Andour
eyes,liketheirs,can’thelpbutpreferthepreciousmetalsRembrandthassoluxuriouslyrenderedthan
allthatisreflectedinthedimlylitJudas.
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Thispaintingbringsaboutpowerfulemotion.Rembrandthasillustratedwhathewouldhavefeltin
suchamoment,insuchaplace,insuchanawfulsituation.HehasenteredthetemplewithJudas
spirituallyandhasgivenuswhathedidfeelinthatmoment.
Rembrandt'sPeter'sDenialofChrist
Matthew26:33–35(ESV)—33Peteransweredhim,“Thoughtheyallfallawaybecauseofyou,Iwill
neverfallaway.”34Jesussaidtohim,“Truly,Itellyou,thisverynight,beforetheroostercrows,you
willdenymethreetimes.”35Petersaidtohim,“EvenifImustdiewithyou,Iwillnotdenyyou!”
Andallthedisciplessaidthesame.
Matthew26:69–75(ESV)—69NowPeterwassittingoutsideinthecourtyard.Andaservantgirl
cameuptohimandsaid,“YoualsowerewithJesustheGalilean.”70Buthedenieditbeforethem
all,saying,“Idonotknowwhatyoumean.”71Andwhenhewentouttotheentrance,another
servantgirlsawhim,andshesaidtothebystanders,“ThismanwaswithJesusofNazareth.”72
Andagainhedenieditwithanoath:“Idonotknowtheman.”73Afteralittlewhilethe
bystanderscameupandsaidtoPeter,“Certainlyyoutooareoneofthem,foryouraccentbetrays
you.”74Thenhebegantoinvokeacurseonhimselfandtoswear,“Idonotknowtheman.”And
immediatelytheroostercrowed.75AndPeterrememberedthesayingofJesus,“Beforethe
roostercrows,youwilldenymethreetimes.”Andhewentoutandweptbitterly.
PHOTO13
ThemainandmonumentalfigureofPetertheApostle,wrappedinalight-coloredcloak,becomes
recognizableinthelightofacandleandislookedatwithsuspiciousglancesbythosearoundhim,
whileJesus’interrogationtakesplaceinthebackground.
Rembrandtpaintstheservantgirlwithacandle,peeringinandrecognizingPeter.Theglowofthe
candleilluminatesPeter’sface.RembrandtalsohaspaintedtwosoldierslookingtowardPeter
withgreatsuspicion.AndskillfullytounderlinetheweightofthemomentofPeter’sDenial,
RembrandtshowsusJesusinthedistance.PHOTO14
Thepaintingshowsthreecentralfigures.Inthecentreofthepainingistheyoungmaid,pointing
atPeterwhoisnexttoheronherleft.Onherrightisasoldierwhoappearstobeblocking
Peter’sway.ThelightinthepaintingiscentredbetweenthemaidandPetersothatPeterishalf
inshadowandhalfinlight.Heistryingtopullhimselfawayfromthemaidandthesoldierandis
wavinghishandasifdismissinghersuggestion.
Thepicture’sclosedcompositionandthelife-sizefiguresbeingsqueezedintoaconfinedspace
bothaccentuatethedesperationofthesituation.
Rememberfacesandhands.Hisexpressioniscomplex,showingbothfearandperhapshorrorat
theeasewithwhichhisdenialofhismastercomessoeasilytohim.OverPeter’sshoulderinthe
murkycornerofthepaintingthefigureofJesuscanbeseenbeingledawaybythesoldiers.His
handsaretiedbehindHisback.HisheadisturnedlookingbackatPeterthroughthegloom
almostasifmakingonelastappealtohim.Peter’sfaceisturnedawayfromJesus.Hisface
showspensiveguilt.Lookathowlargetheaccusatoryhandofthemaidis.
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PHOTO15ThereisnotonlyfearonPeter’sfacebutalsoinnerastonishmentandrecognitionof
thegravityofhisdeed,sinceJesusturnstowardshim,remindinghimofwhathehadsaidtohim
earlier:“Beforethecockcrowstoday,youwilldisownmethreetimes”.Theviewerknowsthat
afterthesewordswereutteredPeterwentawayandweptbitterly.PHOTO16
Jesus’handsareboundbehindhim.Hisbodyispaintedinapositionthatisturningtolookin
Peter’sdirectionwhilePeterispositionedinthepaintingtofaceawayfromJesus.Peter’slefthandgesturesinaconventionalmannerandtheexpressiononPeter’sfaceiscasual,calm,and
freeofdefiance.
PeterdenouncesJesusbyclaimingnottobeoneofhisfollowers-exactlyasJesushadpredicted.
Peterhadvowedtoneverbetrayhim.HereaservantofthehighpriestCaiaphasrecognizesPeter.
Allactionisfrozenintime–thespectatoriswaitingforPetertoreply,whoistakinghistimemaking
uphismind.Inthebackground,hardlydiscernable,Jesusisbeingtakenawaybysoldiers.
Inthisnocturnalscenelitbyacandle,PeterisrecognizedbysoldiersasadiscipleofChrist.He
deniesthis,however,renouncinghismaster.Christ,inthemurkyrightbackground,looksbackat
Peter,asheisledawaybysoldiers.
YoucanseehowcompletelyPeteristorn,ashisheartlongstosayhowhelovesJesusbuthis
mouthsaysheknowshimnot.Youseehowthelightinthepictureactuallyseemstoglow,
illuminatingPeter'storment.
Andyoucansee,inthebackground,Jesusturningtohearhisbeloveddisciplerenouncehim,his
expressionsorrowfulasPeter'sistormented.
IthinkRembrandthascaughtsomethingveryprofoundinthisimage.It’salmostasifPeter
seeshimselfinhistruelightforthefirsttime.AsifeveninthemomentofdenialPeteris
rememberingthepromisetostaytrueandtodiewithJesusevenwhenalltheothersdesert
him.Amomentofself-recognitionwhenPeterrealizesthathehasoverestimatedhiscourage.
Andyouknowwhythisisart:BecauseyoufeelPeter'sdenialasifyouwerethereyourself,
wrungfromyouthroughtheuseofoil,canvasandvarnish.Youcansenseallofthiswhenyou
seethepictureinsomeothermedium;youfeelitwhenyoustandinfrontofit.Artisatactile
medium.
WeareencouragedtorecognizethatpartofourselvesthatismadeclearinPeter’sdenial.In
hisactions,weseeourdoubt,disbelief,denial,desperation,andthehumantendencyofselfpreservation.
ButwealsoseetheresponseofGod.WhenPetercriesbitterlyforwhathehasdoneandleft
undone,histearsandconfessionaremetwithgraceandforgiveness.
So....haveyoupaintedyourselfintothispictureyet?
WhatwecanlearntodayfromJudasistoexamineourownlivesandourownwalkwithGod.Whyare
wefollowingChrist?Isourfaithsincere?DowereallyloveChrist?Ordowehaveulteriormotives
advancedbyclaimingthenameofChrist?
ThoughJudasfollowedChristasameanstolinehispocketwithcash,manytodaymayfollowJesusfor
otherulteriorreasons.
Judaswenttohellandthecostofhisticketwas30piecesofsilver.WhatwouldyoutradeforJesus?
Wouldyoubetrayhimformoney?Wouldyoubetrayhimforabetterjob?Wouldyoubetrayhimto
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keepthejobyouhave?Wouldyoubetrayhimtosaveyourownskin?Wouldyoubetrayhimtoadvance
yourcareer?Wouldyoubetrayhimtogetaspouse?Wouldyoubetrayhimforpopularityandapproval?
Wouldyoubetrayhimforfame?Wouldyoubetrayhimtolivelongeronearth?Wouldyoubetrayhim
becausehedidn’tliveuptoyourexpectations?Wouldyoubetrayhimbecauseyouthoughtheletyou
down?
EverybelievermustknowiftheyareinlovewithJesusorinlovewithwhatJesuscanprovidefor
them.YoumustknowthatyoutrustJesuswithyoureternity.
Doyoufeelbadaboutyoursin?Doyouhaveregret?Doyoufeelguiltandshame?Areyoutrying
tomakeupforwhatyouhavedone?Areyoudesperatetomakeupwhatyouhavedonetoother
peopleandseekingtheirforgiveness?Areyoutrustingyourselftosetthingsright?Doyouwish
youcouldundowhatyouhavedone?Doyoufeelremorse?Great.....Judasfeltallthose
things....andnowisinhell.
Thisisnotaboutregretandremorse.....itisaboutrepentance.
WhatwecanlearnfromPeterisveryenlighteningforallgenuineChristianstoday.ThoughPeter
hadacertaindegreeoftruefaith,hispatternoffailureisseeninrelianceuponhisownstrength,
coupledwithdistractionfromthethreatsaroundhimthatresultedinhistakinghiseyesoffofJesus.
Beforehisdenial,wecanseePeterlosingfocusashedidwhenwalkingonthewater,failingtostay
fixedonChristastherealsourceofhisstrength.
ThoughPeter’sintentionsweregood,hisfailuretokeephisgazeuponJesusresultedinweakness
andfailure.Though,inbothinstances,hestartedoutstrongwhilefocusedontheLordheloved,
themomentheturnedawaytohisownstrengthorallowedhimselftobedistractedbythethreats
aroundhim,hefailed.
WhatwecantaketoheartfromPeter’slifeisthat,regardlessofthedegreeofourfaithinJesus,
wehaveweaknessesaswell.OurrealstrengthcomesfromChrist,andweneedtostayfocused
onHimnomaterwhatconfronts,threatensortemptsus.Nothingintheworldismore
importantthanourloveforJesusandHisloveforus.ItistheloveinourrelationshipwithHim
thatreallymatters.
Thoughitisunlikelyanyofuswillbewalkingonwateranytimesoon,wemaysomedayfind
ourselvesinsituationswhere,asdisciplesofChrist,weneedtostandupanddowhatisright.
Someofusmayevenfindourselvesinthefaceofdeath.Whatwedointhatmomentwillbe
resultofwhatwehavedonewithallthemomentswehavebeengivenuptothatpoint.Our
genuinefaithisrevealedinthosemoments....notcreated.
RembrandtsawclearlythedifferencebetweenPeterandJudas.
It’snotbecauseonereadtheBibleandonedidn’t.Theybothdid.It’snotbecauseoneprayedandone
didn’t.Theybothdid.It’snotbecauseonewasabetterpersonorlivedabetterlifethantheother.They
bothhadgoodandbad.TheonlydifferencethataffectedtheireternaldestinywasthefactthatPeter
believedinJesusforeternallife,andJudasdidnot.Andthathasmadeallthedifference.
So,Peter,Judas,andallofus,deservehell.ButPeterbelievedinJesusforeternallifeandwentto
heaven.
LetmeclosewithapoemIlike....
Iwasshocked,confused,bewilderedasIenteredHeaven’sdoor,Notbythebeautyofitall,bythelights
oritsdecor.ButitwasthefolksinHeavenwhomademesputterandgasp–thethieves,theliars,the
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sinners,thealcoholics,thetrash.Therestoodthekidfromseventhgradewhoswipedmylunchmoney
twice.Nexttohimwasmyoldneighborwhoneversaidanythingnice.Herb,whoIalwaysthoughtwas
rottingawayinhell,wassittingprettyoncloudnine,lookingincrediblywell.InudgedJesus,“What’sthe
deal?IwouldlovetohearYourtake.How’dallthesesinnersgetuphere?Godmust’vemadeamistake.
Andwhy’severyonesoquiet,sosomber?Givemeaclue.”“Hush,child,”saidHe.“They’reallinshock.
Noonethoughtthey’dseeyou.”
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