Are You Judas or Peter??

A few days ago my co-worker mentioned the theme of her church’s Resurrection play.  She said it was written by the pastor’s son and its objective was to uncover the similarities between Judas, Peter, and each of us.  I was immediately intrigued.

As much as we would hate to admit it, we are either one or the other.  Yea you.  You are either Judas or Peter.  Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus for 30 shekels of silver, or Peter, the one who declared his undying love for Jesus and soon after denied Him, not once, not twice, but three times.  Hard pill to swallow huh?

The descriptions of the men above are hard to read and even harder to liken ourselves to, but the reality is we are either Judas or Peter.  I remember being in high-school and being so ashamed to admit to my friends how often I went to church (which felt like everyday!).  I would often claim I had “something else to do” when they invited me places, knowing if I told them I was going to church again they’d consider me wack. 

Whether it’s being ashamed to bow your head at a restaurant or telling a blatant lie, we have all sinned and denied God in some way, and in most cases, knowing what we should do we did the complete opposite.  So we all are either Judas or Peter.  The difference between these two characters was their response to sin.  One (Judas) was filled with guilt and shame, so much so that he decided to take the law in his own hands and kill himself.  The other (Peter) was also filled with guilt and shame, but left the law in the hands of Jesus, repented, and realigned himself with the purpose of God.

We have all fallen short, but deciding to move forward is what empowers us.  I choose to be Peter.  No, I am not what I should be, but I refuse to allow the devil to trick my mind into believing I have nothing to offer.  The death of Jesus gives us all the opportunity to acquire righteousness through His perfection.  We are given the choice then to receive His grace or to reject it.  The argument is not whether we have sinned, but whether we will receive His forgiveness and grace.

The power of the cross allows us all to be Peter.  Which one do you choose to be?

- B. Landi (Peter)

Supplementary Scriptures
Matthew 26
John 21:15-17

Transparency: Ask the question.

Transparency is tough.

When you’re raised to know what is right, sometimes the hardest thing to be is transparent or honest.  Everyone expects you to not only know right, but to choose right, and sometimes neither are the case. 

I remember sitting in class wanting to ask a question so bad, but feared looking dumb.  Had I fallen  asleep?  Why does it seem everyone knows what’s going on except me?  I would often jot down the question in my notebook to later figure it out on my own. Why couldn’t I just bite the bullet and ask? My fear of judgement stifled my learning, but was just a reflection of what I did in other areas of my life.

The fear of judgement often bridles our tongue, preventing us from spiritual and even natural development.  None of us want to feel less than a Christian or less than saved, but if one has a struggle, it will only be overcome by first uncovering and then addressing it head-on.  People often try to diagnose and heal themselves, but our weaknesses are prolonged in secret.  The moment it becomes common knowledge we are free to grow and learn from the strengths of others. 

When we are transparent we are humbled and reminded of our dependency.  We were never meant to live in a vacuum, but in community, where we not only serve but are served.  There’s a tendency to want to be the best.  To never need help or assistance, but the greatest people are those who realize no one has all the answers.  We all need counsel.  We all need to raise our hand every now and then and ask the question everyone in class has been wanting to ask.

If you are having trouble with being transparent:

1.  Pray and ask God for a friend that loves Him and you.  Share your struggles with that friend.

2.  Start a journal and jot down your thoughts concerning your struggles in life.

3.  Be a friend to someone else and offer your help in their struggle (even if it’s simply prayer).

4.  Make a commitment to be as honest as possible when addressing God, so that He can be given the opportunity to work on your behalf.

- B. Landi

Supplementary Verses:
Ecclesiastes 4: 8-12
Proverbs 24: 6