Different types of Betrayal

 Earlier this week, I posted about Judas' betrayal.  Today, I want to look at Peter's. "What?" you say,  "Peter didn't betray Jesus!"  Didn't He?  At the end of Matthew chapter 26, we are presented with Peter's three denials. "That's different!" you say.  Well, yes and no.  

When we deny belonging to Jesus, deny knowing Him, we are betraying Him.  Think about it.  If your best friend was talking to someone else and telling them that they never hung out with you and didn't know who you were, wouldn't you feel betrayed?  That is essentially what happened with Peter.  He denied his Lord and his Friend.  He was worried about saving his own skin so he said the first thing that popped into his head - "I don't know Him."  So, yes, Peter betrayed Jesus just like Judas did.  

On the other hand, there are key differences.  Judas obviously plotted his betrayal beforehand, while Peter's was a spur of the moment thing.  Judas had never called Jesus Lord, while Peter willingly called Him Lord multiple times.  Judas wanted things his way and was bitter and disappointed, while Peter was just confused and scared.  Basically, if I understand this correctly, this is like the difference between murder and manslaughter.  It's all about motives and premeditation.  

Another difference is the reaction of each man to his failures.  Judas did eventually realize how wrong he was, but his answer was suicide.  Peter immediately realized how wrong he was, and he wept bitter tears of sorrow and repentance.  How do we know he repented?  Because, unlike Judas, Peter's relationship with Jesus was restored. (Check out John 21:15-19).  Not only was Peter's relationship restored, but he continued to grow in Christ and lead others to Christ.  He continued to work to make disciples for the rest of his life.  

See, Peter messed up, like we all do.  Peter betrayed his Lord.  But like the prodigal son, he knew that every time he messed up, God the Father (and Jesus the Son) was there waiting to welcome his repentant heart back with open arms.

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