Peter Ate Too!

*Written by Chloe Ann on Facebook, but too powerful and true not to share.

Judas ate too... I hear this all the time around this time of year, Easter, along with when people are recovering and or finding their way back to Christ. We recognize that while yes, Judas ate too. Judas betrayed Christ for money (Matthew 26:14-16) yet still sat and ate with him (Matthew 26:20-25). While he did eat with Christ, he also made it clear that the betrayer, if he did not seek out repentance would endure the wrath of hell. Judas did not seek out repentance. Judas did not ask to be forgiven by Christ. Judas did not right his wrong. So when you go and tattoo this onto your body or make it your life’s “motto”, do you want to be associated with the man who never sought repentance and was explicitly told by his savior that “woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had never been born.” Why would you want to be that man? I understand the sentiment of Christ loving him even when he knew that Judas had betrayed him... but Judas never sought to make it right and receive the forgiveness for what he had done. Instead Judas REGRETS his betrayal and he returns the money and h*ngs himself (Matthew 27:3-5) but you know who did seek repentance after betraying Christ? Peter. 

Peter did. Peter ate too. Peter denied Christ and ate with him too. Christ knew that Peter would betray him and even called him out for it (Peter recollects Christ warning him of this in Luke 22:61), just like Christ had given Judas a chance to speak up against his betrayal - Christ headed a warning to Peter that he would deny him. Peter denied Christ 3 times. Saying he did not know who Christ was (Luke 22:54-62) but Peter made an effort for repentance. After Christ’s resurrection we have a chance to see how Peter would react to this and what exactly he would do next. Peter REPENTS, he tells Christ that he loves him (John 21:15-18) Peter wanted to follow Christ and love him authentically. Peter did exactly what we are supposed to do. That is to repent. Turn our heart, eyes, and mind towards him to follow him and his path. You want to be a Peter. You do not want to be a Judas. I have an inkling of where Judas may be but I know exactly where Peter is. 

Be a Peter. If you are going to make your mistakes, be a Peter. 

Judas regrets. Peter repents.