Betrayal and Denial

Are down to the last hours before crucifixion.  

Today = examine, compare Judas' betrayal and Peter's denial

Judas' Betrayal predicted - Mark 14:17-21
                        fulfilled  -   Mark 14:43-46
  (the demonic element     John 13:26-27)

Outcome?  (for Judas)
    (1)  great remorse
    (2)  self-destruction  Matt. 27:1-5

Peter's denial predicted - Mark 14:27-31
                     fulfilled     - Mark 14:53-54, 66-72
                          with       Luke 22:60-62
   (the demonic element    Luke 322:31-32)          

Outcome?  (for Peter)
   (1)  great remorse
but with (2) repentance and (3) restoration - John 21:15-17 - (after Lord's breakfast)

Point:  Both Judas and Peter experienced:
    (1) ample warning - prediction of betrayal and denial
    (2)   great personal failure
    (3)  extreme remorse

BUT ... the Outcome was vastly different:
         Judas' failure .... destroyed him  (led to him being the Lost Apostle)
         Peter's failure ... improved him!!  (led to him being the LEAD Apostle)

Observations about Judas and Peter

(1)  Peter was not alone in his denial!!
       Mark 14:31  "all said the same"
       Mark 14:50 - "all fled"
their denial may not have been verbal... but was practical!!  They weren't there to support Him.

(2)  Both Peter and Judas were held responsible for their actions
easy to see with Peter, debatable with Judas.
But ... Mark 14:21
On one hand "will happen AS written!
However, "but WOE to him..." (= responsible)  - Judas was responsible for what he did.

Illustration:  Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of Jerusalem/ exile of Israel.
On one hand, was predicted/prophesied ... would come to pass!!
However, wasn't done to honor, serve, please YHWH.  Purely selfish wicked reasons.
Therefore, he was held responsible for his actions, and was later punished)

Question:  was Judas' sin greater than Peter's??
On one hand, no clear answer.
However, Peter emphatically denied 3 times after being warned.

Question:  Could Judas have been forgiven/restored??

School #1 - Pre-destined (determined) therefore, he had no choice.
School #2 - (1) foreknowledge does not mean fore destined (determined)

                  (2)  Since Christ died for all sins of all men.... AND since Judas recognized his sin and was sorry for his sin.... could he therefore have repented?  returned?  been restored??

Lessons & Personal applications

(1)  We all are guilty of denying Christ!
maybe not verbally.... but practically!!
ie:  when we choose to ignore, deny, disobey His word, we deny His Lordship over you.  Luke 6:46

One one hand, that's understandable!  Rom. 3:23  2 Cor. 4:6-7 ("jars of clay")
However,  that's doesn't mean excusable!!!   1 Cor. 10:13  "way of escape"

(2)  when we sin we SHOULD feel remorse 
ie:  humility, embarrassment, shame, sorrow, distress, anguish.
      (we have lost the concept of shame for sin here in America)

Contrition = being truly sorry for sins
Isa. 57:15  (Matt. 5 - "poor in spirit, those who mourn)
one who feels no guilt, shame, remorse, empathy... = Psychopath!!

3  When we sin we should also be repentant.
Dictionary for Repentant = expressing sincere regret, remoorse
Biblical Repentant = Acting on that remorse.  Turn around.
If we don't act on it, we are just sorry.

Guilt = the fact
Shame = the feeling  (we should have when we feel guilty)
Biblical view contains Both!!  ie:  feeling AND Appropriate Response!!  

(4)  IF you repent (feeling and action) you WILL be restored 
This is not a salvation issue but a relational issue.  (Peter was not lost, BUT the relationship was upset!!)

BUT... 1 John 1:8-9

(5)  This process (of sin - repentance - restoration) CAN (and should) result in a better you!!  (better than you were before)

Example:  Satan's plan for Peter = discredit, destroy
               God's plan for Peter   = to improve him
Still = "sift" but to bring out the good (best)
Compare: sift wheat, refine gold, temper steel..
the Process may be intense, painful....
Outcome can develop, improve,edify

(6)  Never ignore or overlook the demonic element in your personal sins.
On one hand, can't always blame Satan  (James 1:13-15)
However  his intent = clear!!  1 Pet. 5:8-9

(7)  You are NOT beyond salvation. 
You are NOT beyond restoration!!
IF you = slightly convicted ... THEN the Holy Spirit is working AND Christ awaits .. you to TURN or RETURN

(8)  You are not beyond improvement.
So.... on one hand, the Trials will continue!  Never outgrow the trials and temptations in this life.
However, so will improvements!!    if you allow Him to work.

Question is:  What are you going to do with the trials and temptations?  Use them or waste them??

Closing Scripture:  Phil. 1:3-6