Dear Friends and Family,

In my last devotional, we talked about testing ourselves – to see if we could go a whole day without sinning.

If you recall, I failed my test – miserably. How did your test go?

Today, we’ll look at the aftermath – what to do and not do when we fail that test.

And to do so, we’ll look at two disciples who both followed Jesus for three years. Both betrayed Jesus, both expressed deep sorrow for what they had done, yet both had such different endings to their lives. 

One ended up in hell, the other in Heaven. All because one responded to his sin with regret. While the other repented.

We start with this encounter that took place on Wednesday of Passion Week.

“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 deliver him over to you?’ So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver.

From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.”  Matthew 26:14-16 NIV

We’re all familiar with the story of Judas’ betrayal at Gethsemane so let’s jump forward to how his story ends.

“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’

‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”  Matthew 27:3-5 NIV

Judas deeply regretted what he had done, even declaring his sin.

He tried desperately to undo his deed. But when that didn’t work, he killed himself. Rather than turning to Jesus, he took matters into his own hands. 

How do we know Judas is in hell?

Lord Jesus offered these words to His Father before leaving for Gethsemane.

“None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.”  John 17:12 NIV

Judas did not go to hell for betraying Jesus. His sin occurred when he made the decision, in his heart, to betray Jesus.

Surely he was sorry for what he had done. But feeling sorry or even guilty was not enough.

Repentance may start with regret but it goes well beyond. 

What does it mean to repent?

Repent means to recognize one’s wrongdoing; to humbly deny one’s self and turn towards the One we have wronged; to go beyond regretting our sin; beyond showing remorse; and committing to a new path, one of correction and truth.

Let’s now look at the second disciple who betrayed Jesus, Peter.

“Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.

Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”  Luke 22:60-62 NIV

This is what Peter had declared to Jesus just a few hours earlier. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.”  Matthew 26:35 NIV

Peter was humbled, remorseful, his pride clearly broken.

Although Peter was present when the risen Jesus twice met the disciples, there is no mention of any words exchanged.

And then the following happened as Peter and several other disciples were fishing in the Sea of Galilee.

“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” John 21:7 NIV 

Peter not only turned to the Lord, he swam towards Him with all his clothes on.

We know how Peter’s story ends. Jesus restores Peter on the sea shore. Peter then goes on to lead the Church. And it is said that Peter was crucified in Rome.

My question for all of us is how will our story end?

Judas was a follower of Christ, but his actions spoke otherwise. It spoke what was in his heart. Even his declaration of sin didn’t acknowledge Who Jesus was.

Jesus was more than innocent blood – He was and is the Son of God.

Judas’ words and actions said it all – he betrayed Jesus. Which is what we do when we fail to repent.

And when we fail to repent, especially when we keep sinning for the same reasons, we cheapen God’s grace.

I’ve joked before about my pet peeve – stray shopping carts. I will repent now.

And with Jesus’s help stop judging my now formerly lazy neighbors. (Please laugh – I worked hard to lighten up this dark but necessary topic of sin and death.)

I pray we all run or swim to Jesus today.

In love always,