Love Conquers Fear

Jesus knew what Judas was going to do and that it would lead to His painful death. He didn't just suspect that Judas might hurt Him, He knew exactly what was going to happen. 

And yet in the upper room, Jesus gave Judas a piece of dipped bread a symbol of honor and trust that the host was extending to His guest. 

And when the moment of betrayal came, Jesus called him "friend."

Throughout the evening Jesus gave Judas opportunities to repent. 

We often fear the potential harm that others may inflict on us and pull away from them. Or fight back. 

Jesus knew. He didn't suspect. And yet He chose to love Judas. He extended love and grace. 

Two Disciples: The Same, but Different

Peter and Judas had the same religious education. They'd been trained by Jesus Himself. They had heard Him teach. They had seen His miracles. They had taught. They had done miracles.

They both denied Christ.

As the disciples gathered for the last Passover before the crucifixion, Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him. Their collective response was not, "It's got to be Judas!" No one suspected him. He fit right in with the rest of the them.

Jesus told Peter that he would deny his Master three times that night.

As the events unfold, Judas betrays Christ to the priests for 30 pieces of silver. He denied Christ for money. Realizing his wrong, he returned the money and hung himself.

Peter denies Christ three times in the night. He denied Christ for safety. When the rooster crowed, he remembered what Jesus had said about him.

But he didn't hang himself.

In fact, we read in Acts that Peter became the spokesperson for the fledgling church.

What was the difference?

Three times Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Three times Peter answered in the affirmative (John 21:15-19).

The difference is clear. Judas loved himself. Peter loved Jesus.

Because Judas loved himself, he couldn't live with himself anymore. Guilt and shame had taken over.

Because Peter loved Jesus, he repented. He was guilty and ashamed of his sin, but because his love for Jesus was so great, he was able to take his focus off of himself. Instead of looking at himself and the possible consequences of his sinful choices, Peter chose to look at the Savior whom he loved and who loved Him.

So wallowing in despair over our sinful choices demonstrates that we are focused on ourselves, not on Jesus. We love ourselves more than we love Jesus.

Look to Jesus.