… only a lot less.
Last week’s BSF threw me for another loop. Or, as Dr. Truth would say, “this one really put me into a cocoon.”
Question 8 of Lesson 29, a “challenge” question, in this high-worth, international Bible study: “What was the difference between Peter’s betrayal and that of Judas and their emotions and decisions afterward?” The second part of the question is easy. The first part?
Notice the choice of words.
It was fairly well defended. And that offended me even more.
When did Peter betray Christ? When did Peter ever sell Him out?
He didn’t! He doesn’t in the Bible that I read. In the NIV, the version to which BSF ascribes, Matthew says “disown.” So does Mark. So does Luke. John uses the word denial. Jesus is quoted as saying that Peter will deny Him. He never says that Peter will betray Him. In fact, in Luke 22:30-31, where Jesus informed Peter that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat, he says “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Jesus knew what was to happen, and he prayed for his disciple, who was an exuberant, full-of-life human being, with faults, insecurities, fears, and trepidations just like all the rest of us. He boasted of his faith—so much so that in the following verses Jesus warned him that he would deny his Master three times before the rooster bugled in daylight the next morning.
What kind of man was Peter? Was he the type who would betray Christ?
He was a man who Christ rebuked many times.
- In Matthew 14:31, those oft-quoted words “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?” as Peter sought a life preserver.
- In Chapter 15, Christ asked him “Are you so dull?” when Peter failed to comprehend a parable.
- In 16, verse 23, “Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me. You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of man.”
- In the very next chapter, Peter is speaking to Christ about pitching three tents, and guess Who interrupts him!
- Again, in chapter 18, you’ve got to consider Peter—the leader of the disciples—as the cause of their diversionary tactics when Jesus admonishes them to “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
If you're counting, that’s 5 consecutive chapters that Peter gets himself in trouble. Five! And, I'm sure we could find more.
But, Peter gets a reprieve and isn’t admonished until chapter 26 and Christ’s warning of an impending trifecta of denial. Jesus had a lot on his agenda, so he couldn't focus on head disciple.
Yet, Simon Peter stands in Christ’s grace and truth, too. How can we not love the guy for his in-your-face exuberance and faith?
- In Chapter 16, “Blessed are You, Simon Bar Jonah. For this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”
- In 19, “…you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel."
There are others.
So, my contention is how can a man like this ever even be considered to be placed into the same category of crime as a slinking, conniving, theiving counterfeit?
What happened to Peter after this denial? Luke reports that as the cock crowed its third time, Jesus was passing by and looked his top disciple in the eye. Imaging that impact! How would you have felt had you been Peter? The thought makes me crumble.
We’re told that he left and wept bitterly. Well he should. But as a result of this "sifting," this remorse, this repentance, and God's grace, Peter was converted—thoroughly and completely, not just superficially. No longer would this man of men trust in himself. He would trust in his Lord. Totally. His personality and leadership style were completely transformed.
Peter did not sell out our Lord. He sold out for Him. What a goal.
And the other guy? Sad case.
Wouldn’t the question had been better written: "What was the difference between Peter’s denial and Judas’ betrayal …?"
The answer? Lots. And then some.
Anyway, that's how I feel about it. Lotta sin goin' on here; some "respectable," some not.
Blessings ...
