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Mark 14:10-11 & 71 (NLT)

10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. 11 The leading priests were delighted when they heard why he had come, and they promised him a reward. So he began looking for the right time and place to betray Jesus.

71 Peter said, "I swear by God, I don't know this man you're talking about."


Have you messed up lately? I mean have you really sinned big time and wonder if God will ever forgive you for what you did?
Maybe you betrayed Jesus by not telling others about Him when you knew you were supposed to.
Maybe you played like you are not a Christian at all trying to impress others.
Maybe you committed fornication.
Maybe you lied big time.
Maybe you physically and/or emotionally hurt someone.
Maybe you had a weekend of partying and drugs and alcohol.
Whatever the reason, you may feel like God will not forgive you this time.

Maybe you feel like a Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus.
Or maybe you feel like a Peter who also betrayed Jesus.
We tend to not think of it that way, because we know that Judas Iscariot was not forgiven and we will not see him in heaven.
And we know that Peter was forgiven and we will see him in heaven.
So what's the difference between the two men?
They both betrayed Jesus, Judas Iscariot by selling Jesus to the religious leaders for twenty pieces of silver, and Peter by denying that he even knew Jesus three times in a row all in the very same night.
So why was Peter forgiven and not Judas Iscariot?
Their hearts!
Even though Peter messed up big time by betraying Jesus three times, He knew Jesus and trusted Jesus. He knew what a loving God Jesus was, and knew that even though he messed up, that he could still run to Jesus.

  • John 21:7 (NLT) Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and swam ashore.


    • On the other hand, Judas Iscariot knew Jesus, but never believed in Jesus' love for him. He didn't realize that Jesus loved him so much that even though Jesus knew he would betray Him that Jesus washed his feet anyway; and even though Judas Iscariot was stealing from the money they had, Jesus still allowed him to be a part of His close twelve.

    Yes, he knew that Jesus was more then just a man, but didn't know how much Jesus loved him. So he felt all was lost and there was nothing left but the not take his own life rather then run to Jesus and ask for His forgiveness.

    So don't let satan lie to you like he did to Judas Iscariot and tell you that you can't be forgiven.
    But rather be like a Peter who messed up, but knew that he messed up, and that Jesus loved him, and that he could always return to Jesus.
    Jesus loves you to and will forgive you and restore your relationship with Him. But first you must run to Jesus, or swim like Peter did.

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