Matthew 26:31-35
Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
"I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
This is another powerful reminder of just how weak we all are…and just how quickly we can go from the mountaintop to the sewer. Judas had walked with Christ for almost three years, as had Peter, yet both of them betrayed Him when the chips were down. Peter recovered. Judas hung himself.
I've let Jesus down so many times I could not possibly count them all, yet there He stands: ready to welcome me Home and into His arms. You see, I was born again on September 6, 1994 and that is when I passed from condemnation into grace. I finally admitted that I was never going to be "good enough" in God's eyes and that prepared my heart to receive the Gospel. I saw my condemned state and turned to Christ through confession, repentance and faith. I went from the condemnation of Judas to the restoration of Peter.
Perhaps you are still a Judas…rebelling against the authority and Word of God. Sadly, your fate will be the same as his. But it's never too late to become a Peter! Peter was a great fan of his own "goodness", but then he came face-to-face with his true depravity. He turned from his pride and Christ was standing right there, ready to restore him.
So what's it going to be for YOU? Judas or Peter? The day is fast approaching when you will no longer be able to make that choice for yourself.
