I have often considered the differences between Judas and Peter. Both betrayed Jesus, but one, filled with guilt, stole away and hung himself while the other wept bitterly but clung to the other apostles and Jesus. We all know the story. Judas went to the high priests and promised to lead them to Jesus for thirty pieces off silver. Peter swore he would never deny Jesus under any circumstances but only a few hours later denied him three times.
Perhaps, the great difference was that Judas acted out of greed while Peter acted out of fear. Many believe Judas felt betrayed because Jesus was not fulfilling his role as Messiah and the deliverer of Israel as Judas and many others had imagined. Perhaps, Judas had Imagined himself in some very significant position in the government that Jesus would establish after he revealed himself, overthrew the Romans, and launched his kingdom. As Jesus began to demonstrate surrender to Roman power and Jewish politics, some believe Judas began to doubt who Jesus was or hoped to force his revolutionary hand when he faced arrest.
Some think he felt betrayed by Jesus and so returned the favor. Whatever his motives, he chose to betray Jesus and pocket the money until he saw the outcome of his actions. Then in a fit of guilt, despair, and self-loathing he took his own life. Interestingly, both John and Luke record that just before Judas betrayed Jesus, Satan “entered into him.” One thing is certain, throughout the gosples you never have a sense that Judas drew close to Jesus or loved him or that he drew close to the other apostles. For Judas, the relationship seemed like a means to a personal end. His selfish ambition seems to be the open door for the enemy. People today, can still serve God purely out of selfish ambition…what God can do for them.
Peter, on the other hand, certainly loved Jesus. It’s true, he was impetuous, had an inflated view of himself at times, and ultimately in a moment of crisis gave into his own fears and denied knowing Jesus at all. Satan came after him as well. Luke records Jesus saying, ““Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Lk.22:31-32). Peter did not leave the little group of believers and humbled himself before Jesus when Jesus appeared to them after his resurrection.
I think, perhaps, the biggest difference between Peter and Judas may have been their view of God. Even though Jesus had demonstrated mercy to sinners over and over again and clearly said he was the living embodiment of the Father, Judas seemed to view God as an unbending, merciless God with whom he would not be able to find mercy or forgiveness. When Judas failed, he seemed to have no relationships to which he could turn for solace and forgiveness. His personal ambition probably made him view the other apostles as competitors rather than brothers.
Peter, however, had received the lesson of the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery. In him was hope that the immense love and mercy he has seen in Jesus might now be directed toward him. He also had come to view the other followers of Jesus as spiritual family who, though disappointed in him, would receive him back like the prodigal Jesus had taught about.
Our view of God is of major importance. We will all fail him from time to time and in our own ways deny him. If we see God as the unbending, merciless father who requires perfection from his children, we will distance ourselves when we have failed … not only from him but also from our spiritual family. If, however, we see him as the father of the prodigal, longing for our return and quick to forgive, we will continue to hold onto him and our family. There we can find hope rather than despair. Life rather than death.
It might be good to evaluate our view of God because a faulty view can have disastrous consequences. Jesus told us that if we have seen him, we have seen the Father. If we struggle with our relationship with God, we should look at Jesus more closely…and Peter. I’m thankful for Peter’s failure because it shows me the way when I have failed.
