Mat 26:48-50 (NIV) Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest Him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested Him. Jesus, help me be aware that there were plenty of opportunities for Judas to yield to God’s love and learn how to resist temptations to love money. Show me that the important thing is for me to see how a “small” wrong turn in the beginning can escalate to this horrible condition.

John 18:10-11 (NIV) Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” Jesus, show me that Peter had a lot to learn about love and resistance; but, help me see through Peter’s actions that he did desire to do his best for You. He loved You; and he was willing to resist the best way he knew how.

Mat 27:3-5 (NIV) When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.” So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Jesus, I can see the vital necessity of yielding to God’s love. And, I can see that I must allow You to teach me how to resist my body, the world, and the devil.

Mat 26:6975 (NIV) Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said. But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the Man!”

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Jesus, teach me that Peter messed up accidently; but, Judas sinned on purpose. Empower me to always watch out for this difference in my life; there is a BIG difference.

1 John 5:16 (NIV) If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. Jesus, teach me that Judas sinned a sin that led to death. Peter sinned a sin that didn’t lead to death. Show me that Judas made a final decision to NOT live the Christian life. He knew the rules, the commandments, and the principles and chose to go against them. Let me see that He sinned on purpose.

Jesus, help me understand that Peter sinned because he was still untrained on how to resist the human efforts of his body. He didn’t know how to give up the training of the world. And, he still lacked the training on how to properly submit himself, then, to God. If Peter had properly resisted the devil, he would flee from Peter (James 4:7). Show me that Peter’s DENYING his Lord was a BIG difference from Judas BETRAYING his Lord. Peter’s love for You empowered him to stay within the realm of committing a sin that does not lead to death.

Jesus, You said in Luke 22:31-32 (NIV): “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus, teach me that WHY I sin matters a lot! Peter’s sin was totally against his will. He WANTED to not sin. He HATED the fact that he denied his Lord. Teach me that WANT and HATE are the fulfillment of God’s requirement for the attitudes of my mind and heart.

Jesus, help me always keep in mind that Romans 7:15 lays out the requirements of God for my attitude toward sin. Rom 7:15 (NIV) I do not understand what I do. For what I WANT to do I do not do, but what I HATE I do. Teach me that this attitude leads me into a prayer: Rom 7:24 (NIV) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Teach me that Judas didn’t have this attitude; he WANTED to sin and HATED the life of righteousness.

Luke 22:61-62 (NIV) The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Jesus, help me understand that Peter thought his life with You was over; he was sorry; he was ashamed; he wished he hadn’t done it; and, he wanted to make it right; but, help me understand that Peter was experiencing CONDEMNATION. He thought that what he had done had sealed his doom.

Rom 8:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, there is now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Jesus, Peter was going to have to have someone help him back into his love relationship with You. You still loved Peter; AND, Peter still loved You. But, help me see that Peter couldn’t run to You and repent, ask for forgiveness, and ask for Your power to enable him to never do it again. Teach me how to bring someone back from this.