Compare Judas' actions with Peter's denial and repentance in Matthew 26:75. setting the scene Matthew 26 records two sharply different failures by two of Jesus’ closest followers. Both men sinned during the same night, but their responses—and their destinies—diverged dramatically. judas: betrayal and remorse without repentance • Matthew 26:14-16: “Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.” • Matthew 26:47-50: Judas completes the betrayal with a kiss, publicly identifying Jesus. • Matthew 27:3-5: “When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders… ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,’ he said… Then he went away and hanged himself.” Key observations – Judas initiated the betrayal; the sin was premeditated. – His regret was real but remained horizontal—focused on consequences, not on God. – He tried self-atonement by returning the money, yet never sought Jesus’ forgiveness. – The outcome was despair: self-destruction and eternal separation (Acts 1:24-25). peter: denial followed by broken-hearted repentance • Matthew 26:69-75 recounts Peter’s three denials. Verse 75 captures the turning point: “And Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” • Luke 22:61-62 adds that the Lord “turned and looked at Peter,” awakening Peter’s conscience. • John 21:15-17 shows the risen Christ restoring Peter, commissioning him to “Feed My sheep.” Key observations – Peter’s failure was spontaneous, rooted in fear, not calculated betrayal. – The bitter weeping shows godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) that leads to repentance. – Peter ran to the empty tomb (Luke 24:12) and later to the risen Lord, demonstrating faith. – Restoration followed; Peter became a bold witness (Acts 2:14-41). contrasting heart responses • Intent: Judas sought personal gain; Peter sought self-preservation. • Sorrow: Judas experienced worldly grief that “produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10); Peter experienced godly grief that leads to life. • Direction: Judas turned inward and downward; Peter turned upward and forward. • Outcome: Judas abandoned hope; Peter embraced mercy and was reinstated. the role of satan and human responsibility • Luke 22:3 states, “Then Satan entered Judas.” Yet Judas still bore full responsibility for his choice (Matthew 26:24). • Luke 22:31-32 records Jesus telling Peter, “Simon, Simon, Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” Divine intercession preserved Peter, yet Peter still had to “strengthen your brothers.” scripture’s call today The accurate, literal record of these two men urges each believer to respond to personal sin with Peter-like repentance, not Judas-like despair. 1 John 1:9 assures: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” |
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