Even Youths

Day 4: Matthew 27:1-10 Judas’ remorse April 1, 2010

Peter denies Jesus, not just once, but three times; yet he recovers, is forgiven, and goes on to a lifetime of productive, courageous ministry. Judas, on the other hand, betrays Jesus, suffers intense remorse, and then commits suicide. What marks the difference in outcome?

Axiomatically, the difference reflects, the heinousness of the failure: Peter deserts Jesus, but Judas betrays him. As Jesus earlier warned, “The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born” (26:24). Even the plotters who benefited from Judas’ treachery put the blame back on him when he tries to rescind his betrayal of an innocent man: “What is that to us? That’s your responsibility” (27:4).

Both Peter and Judas regret their actions. And Judas does what he can – and more than Peter does – to attempt to change the outcome. So Matthew’s point is that forgiveness extends incredibly far, encompassing even Jesus’ closest friends who desert and deny him in his greatest need; yet forgiveness does not extend limitlessly, for it does not encompass Judas. This distinction has often proved important for those who deny their faith due to public harassment or physical torture: Peter holds out hope that their weakness and failure, too, can be forgiven. So, too, it holds out similar hope for us.