What was the difference between Peter's denial and Judas' betrayal?

by Barbara Latta

Why did Peter repent but Judas kill himself? They both committed reprehensible acts against Jesus.

What made both of these disciples different in their approach to the sin they had engaged in?

The heart issue.

When Jesus called his disciples, He knew what was in each one’s heart. He had prayed about who to choose and was directed by the Holy Spirit.

He knew Peter was a brash, impulsive, rough-speaking fisherman.

He knew Judas was greedy and self-absorbed.

Yet he called them both (Matthew 10:2-4).

For three years, these men along with the other ten, spent time with Jesus learning from Him and hearing His words, witnessing miracles and even being anointed with the same power to heal the sick when Jesus sent them out two by two. Judas was in this group. Judas was given the power to heal the sick and cast out demons along with the rest of the disciples (Mark 6:12-13). Yet performing those miracles will not save a person (Matthew 7:22).

They all called Him Master, Teacher, Rabbi. And they also called Him, Lord. Except Judas. There is no record of Judas ever calling Jesus his Lord. 

His heart never submitted to the Lordship of Christ the Messiah. Jesus was a Teacher, Healer and miracle worker, but Judas’ heart was not on the mission of God.

Jesus said he chose all of them yet one had a demon (John 6:71).

Judas criticized Mary of Bethany who anointed Jesus’ feet with costly perfume. He attempted to sound righteous by declaring his desire to sell the ointment and give the money to the poor. He really wanted to sell it and put the money in the treasury box that he had charge of and was stealing from (John 12:4-6).

Three years with Jesus did not change Judas’ heart. Even though Jesus knew what Judas would do, He still gave him the opportunity to change. But Judas was consumed with greed and selfishness and that opened the door to Satan to drive a deeper wedge between the fallen disciple and the Teacher.

Peter may have been an immature believer but his time with Jesus grew his faith. He is the only disciple who got out of the boat and walked on water. No one else in history except Jesus has ever done that.

Peter was the first one to declare that Jesus was the Son of God when the Messiah asked them who people said he was (Matthew 16:16-18). He was willing to defend Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by drawing a sword to try to protect Jesus (John 18:10). But his faith was still weak enough to be controlled by fear when hours later he denied even knowing who Jesus was (Matthew 26:69-75).

Judas sold out Jesus for money and betrayed Him with the kiss of a beloved brother. The ultimate stab in the back.

Peter denied Jesus out of fear, but because his heart was with Jesus the pain of what he had done

pierced his soul with an agony he had never felt before. 

Judas realized he betrayed innocent blood, but he wasn’t repentant (Matthew 27:3). He was only sorry things didn’t turn out the way he wanted them to. Rather than ask forgiveness he took his own life because he was still under the deception of Satan.

Pride and self-righteousness controlled Judas and ultimately caused his demise.

Peter’s repentant heart ultimately brought about his restoration.

Peter is often criticized for denying Christ. But all of us have denied Him in some way whenever we disobey what God says. And His forgiving and loving nature restores us the same way Peter was. And Peter went on to preach on the day of Pentecost and three thousand people we saved.

The difference between Peter and Judas was the heart. We could compare David and Saul and find the same results. David was called a man after God’s own heart, yet he committed atrocious sins. He showed he had God’s heart because he was willing to take the correction of the prophet Nathan and repent before God and admit his wrongdoing (2 Samuel 12:1-13). Saul’s feigned repentance was only to save his reputation among the people of Israel. His heart was still selfish and he lost the kingdom (1 Samuel 15).

The same thing can happen today. People can attend church for years and never hear what the Word of God is saying to them. Because heart change happens when a person submits to the Lordship of Christ.

We can learn from the life of these biblical characters. When we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, any pride and self-righteous behavior will be revealed and can be washed away with the Word of God. But when we want to maintain control of our lives, we are living like Judas or Saul. The outcome may not be as disastrous, but any time pride leads we will not have good results (Proverbs 16:18).

It all depends on the heart issue.

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