As You Go – Pray 04-13-20

Unleashed – As You Go – Pray

April 13th, 2020

Two men. Same betrayal. Different outcomes.
“But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” Mark 16:7

Monday, post- Easter, is where we live life today in our story of redemption and forgiveness. The cross couldn’t destroy Jesus on Friday. The grave couldn’t hold him on Sunday. Now, sin can’t define us on Monday. Although we celebrated Easter in a new fashion yesterday, we viewed the same story of hope and victory filling the screens. We know without a doubt that our Monday is filled with a future completely under God’s control.

The darkness of Friday captured the stories of two men. Both men were guilty of betrayal but experienced  totally different outcomes. Monday for Peter and Judas, disciples of Jesus, ended up totally different. Matthew captures the essence of their stories well:

Peter: “Surely you are also one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I DO NOT KNOW THE MAN!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26:73b-75)

Judas: “When Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. He said, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” Throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:3-5)

The shame and guilt of betrayal hung heavy upon both men’s shoulders. Years of listening, questioning and following Jesus was gone in a flash. Driven by fear and greed, these once trusted disciples betrayed their friend, mentor and Savior.

Monday never came for Judas as he sought forgiveness in the wrong place. Guilt overwhelmed him to repent yet he sought forgiveness from religion and not from the one who could forgive and restore. His betrayal ended without forgiveness and no hope for Monday.

Monday came for Peter. This once proud and arrogant follower of Jesus betrayed the one he loved on that dark Friday night. The agony of the weekend left him empty and hopeless. He literally ran to the one who could restore and redeem his life. At the hands of Jesus, Peter, the broken man, received forgiveness and a new life.

“No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. We shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes are in the airing cupboard. The only fatal thing is to lose one’s temper and give it up. It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present to us: it is the very sign of His presence.” Adapted from Noticing the Dirt by C.S. Lewis

By the time Peter got home he was very muddy and tattered but he noticed the dirt. Two men. Same betrayal. Different outcomes. For one, death, the other, forgiveness. Peter chose the only one who could make a difference. Peter found life again to live on Monday.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope. The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)
God is great,

Pastor Lynn Burton