Living Life by Design

Peter and Judas were both disciples of Christ. As role models go, feel, as I do, we desperately don’t want to be like Judas, but the life and choices Peter made give us all hope. Peter messed up, as we all do, and yet God used him.

In Luke 22:39-62, after Jesus was arrested, Peter’s first mistake was to follow ‘at a distance’ (v.54). When others are hostile towards Jesus it is tempting to put a bit of distance between us and him – not to align ourselves too closely with Jesus. This path, in the end, led to straight out denials (vv.57–58,60).

When Jesus turned and looked straight at Peter (v.61), Peter knew he had blown it and he ‘wept bitterly’ (v.62). Like Judas, Peter had failed. Yet his future was very different from Judas’. God went on to use Peter, perhaps more than anyone else in the entire history of the Christian church.

The difference between Peter and Judas was their reaction to failure. Peter was deeply repentant and received forgiveness and restoration from Jesus (see John 21). This gives us all hope. Whatever bad choices you’ve made or however far you have gone in the wrong direction, it is never too late to turn around. Turn back to Jesus, receive forgiveness and restore the relationship.

For all of us, like Peter, yesterday’s screwup can become today’s testimony. 

Your test can become your testimony if you turn back to God…