Tuesday, March 27, 2007
I Feel Like Peter, but act like Judas
Peter often gets the bad reputation for his zealousness, speaking out of turn, and his denials, but look what became of him in Acts. This same man boldly proclaimed the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a hostile environment and 3,000 people were saved. To often we identify ourselves with Peter; i.e., I denied Christ, or I was walking on the water, but lacked the faith to stand once I noticed my circumstances. However, are we really as bold as Peter who said, I will follow you Jesus even if it means death? We are probably more like Judas, betraying our savior when the going gets tough, selling Jesus out for a moment of pleasure even though we were right there with Peter and the others saying we will follow him anywhere. I wish I could be more like Peter. I find comfort in the fact that even through the dark night of Peter's soul, his denials, God never left him or forsaken him and gave him the promised Holy Spirit that empowered him to die the martyrs death that he did (I think he was crucified up side down). But to often I act more like a Judas, selling Jesus out for my own agenda, because my idea of a messiah does not jive wit who Jesus is. Peter, however, followed in the way. The way that Jesus had prepared. The problem with this way, though, it is not always the way we want to travel. The way to glory is marked by a cross that I often do not want to bear.
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The good news is that there is no cross for you to bear. It was already taken care of so that our yoke can be easy and our burden light. We make things difficult by geting out of relationship with God. When we are clear about the victory and freedom that we have in Christ it is not so easy to be a Judas. Christianity is about a surrendered life. How can we be so burdened about the out come of a life we do not own that is suppost to be run by an all knowing infinate love God who has already promised us a beautiful ending. It is when we are self absorbed that we have "dark nights of the soul."
Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied Jesus. Sin is sin. Peter repented of his sin and became an amazing preacher leading many to Christ. Judas hanged himself to end his life. The only way we are like Judas is that we mess up and sin. I do not know what Judas thought as he hanged himself. Maybe it was so much guilt that he couldn't live. No matter what the cause of the hanging Judas obviously did not understand the message of Christ because he did not know the love of God to forgive him. Peter's ability to turn his life around shows me the amazing work of God in his life that is availible in my life. Many times on the road I feel sinful just like I betrayed Jesus. The difference in me and Judas is I have Christ. I have eternal life.
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