“A Tale of Two Souls”

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Souls

" And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!"  Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself."  (Matthew 27:1-5)

The gospels record a tale of two souls.  Both of them – Peter and Judas- were among the disciples of Jesus.  While they share many similarities, the end of one is tragic and the end of the other is victory.

Consider the similarities of Peter and Judas.  Both were Apostles of Jesus and chosen by the Lord for that position.  It was predicted that both would deny Jesus before his death (Matthew 26: 21-25; 34,35).  Both of them did indeed fall as predicted (Matthew 26:47-49; 69-75).   Both Judas and Peter expressed sorrow for their fall.  However, the end result for each of these was different.

Judas, “seeing that he had been condemned” hung himself.  The tragedy of Judas is in his failure to believe in the power of Jesus to forgive.  Overcome with remorse, Judas tragically ended his life.  Many today (like Judas) come to the fatal conclusion that “my sin is too great for God to forgive”!  How awesome to think that the grace of God is wide enough to forgive the very one who betrayed his son!

Peter, acknowledged the potential of Jesus and accepted the forgiveness of the Savior.  He would later be among the disciples who witnessed the empty tomb of Jesus after his resurrection.  Peter along with a small band of loyalist would announce the resurrection of Jesus to the world!  Many years later this coward who had denied Jesus would write:  “If any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf”.  ( I Peter 4:16)

The difference between the two is faith.  So my friend where do you stand?

by George Slover

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