“I’m sorry.” Sometimes those are two of the hardest words to say and never seem to be enough, yet heartfelt sorrow is the first step to restoring hope in our lives and in our relationships.
Judas watched as Jesus was taken away by the guards, forced to stand before Pilate, and then condemned to death. He had sold out the Son of man for 30 pieces of silver. Judas, the pious one who spoke out against extravagant waste. This Judas delivered Jesus into the hands of haters for Him to be executed. He knew he had sinned. Judas knew that he had betrayed innocent blood. I’m certain Judas felt sorry. He tried to return the money. Judas felt the profound weight of his failure and it broke him. Judas failed Jesus; Jesus knew Judas failed.
Peter hid as Jesus was laid in the tomb. Peter disowned knowing Jesus. He even cursed in denial as he warmed himself by the fire on the night Jesus was taken to be tried. The accusing words of a young girl caused Peter to fear reprisal. He blurted out “I never knew the man.” Peter, the one with the fight-or-die attitude and the bold proclamations of an undying allegiance denied his association with the Lord. I’m certain Peter felt the profound weight of his failure and it broke him. Peter failed Jesus; Jesus knew Peter failed.
Judas hung himself. Peter repented. What made the difference between Judas committing suicide over his failure and Peter being restored? The answer as to why these men had different outcomes rests in where they placed their hope.
Hope is still the answer today for overcoming our faults and failures. I confess, I’ve experienced times of great failure. I’ve failed as a wife, a mother, an employee, and even as a volunteer. I’ve failed in my relationships. I’ve failed Jesus. The one thing that awakens me morning by morning with joy and strength is hope. I have hope to face another day in spite of all my failures.
I have new life in Jesus and He gives me hope. This hope transcends any circumstance. This hope is bigger than any of my failures or any problems I may face. This hope is even bigger than death. My hope rests in Jesus, who forgives every sin and gives eternal life.
Please don’t misunderstand. My hope is not a virtue of positive thinking, or of ineffective daydreams where I fool myself into believing my life is more than it is. No, my hope is a living hope found in the grace of God through Jesus Christ, His Son. This living hope is the source of all hope for all people.
It is Jesus who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. It is through Jesus we find forgiveness and restoration. It is through Jesus we have new life and can experience victory over our problems and failures.
I can face my failures, say I’m sorry, and ask for forgiveness because my hope is not a ‘hope so’ hope. My hope is a ‘know so’ hope. My hope is a biblical hope which doesn’t rest in daydreams but is the anticipation and assurance of a future reality.
Judas didn’t have this hope. He doubted Jesus was the Messiah. He didn’t trust in God’s grace and mercy. He didn’t believe Jesus could or even would forgive him.
On the other hand, Peter had this living hope. Peter believed. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter trusted in the mercy and grace of God. He had faith in restoration through and reconciliation with Jesus, even when he didn’t quite understand how it would be accomplished.
The difference between Judas and Peter is the same difference we see in lives today.
The difference rests in whether you live in hope through Jesus or whether you reside in hopelessness without him.
Are you losing hope over your failures and thinking things can never change?
Trust Jesus. Our past failures can’t be undone, but our future can be bright.
Trust Jesus. Our past failures can’t be undone, but our future can be bright. Click To TweetOur failures are swallowed up in hope restored through our trust and faith in Christ today.
Turn to Jesus like Peter did. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart. He will forgive you. He will help you.
*The Write Connection:
Describe how biblical faith and hope work together to help you overcome your failures.
The Bible Connection:
Read Luke 22:31-34, 22:56-62; Matthew 27:3-5; Lamentations 3:21-23; 1 Peter 1:3; Hebrews 11:1; and Romans 15:13.
Through these passages, what are some spiritual truths we can learn from Peter and Judas?
What can we learn about the grace and mercy of God?
The Heart Connection:
Dear Father, impart to us your grace and mercy so that we may experience this living hope which leads us to forgiveness, freedom, and transformation Help us to know hope in a way that always brings us to Jesus when we fail and helps us to cling to your promises no matter what our circumstances may look like. Amen.
*The Write Connection is a one-day workshop presenting the biblical concepts of journaling and purpose boards with built-in creative time for the participants. If you are interested in hosting this workshop, please contact Carla G. Pollard by email to carla@carlagpollard.com.
We are so blessed to have a Savior who forgives us when we mess up, who loves us enough to die for us, and knows we can be better than we think we can. He is our reason for hope.
Thank you, Carla. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. “
Carla, I like your description of a know-so hope instead of a hope-so hope. We can know-so—that we’re forgiven—not based on our faithfulness, but on God’s. Thank you for comparing Judas and Peter to demonstrate hope. Excellent post
Right there with you Ms. Carla. Having lived in this world without Christ for a while, I can assure you there is no hope outside of Christ; only a cheap imitation that is always dashed by the world. I thank God for His endless grace and countless demonstrations of why my hope is in Him alone.
Excellent