A Tale of Two Disciples

   Twelve. It is a very important number in the Bible. There were twelve tribes of Israel, the high priest’s breastplate had twelve precious stones embedded in them, there are twelve Minor Prophets in the Old Testament, and there will be twelve gates in New Jerusalem. Twelve is a number of completeness in the Bible. That’s why Jesus chose twelve disciples. Jesus loved all of the disciples; but there were two in particular that were tested at the end of Jesus’ lifetime on earth.

   Peter was outspoken, a great leader, and most importantly he knew Jesus was the son of God. But, Peter was far from perfect. He was rash, took his eye off Jesus, and denied Jesus three times.

   Judas Iscariot was one of the twelve. He was a participated in the miracles that the disciples did and did just as much as the other disciples. But, all Judas is remembered for is his betrayal of Jesus.

   Both of these disciples had something in common: they both betrayed Jesus. Peter denied that he knew Christ three times. And, Judas turned Jesus in for thirty pieces of silver. Both of them failed and sinned against Christ. But, Christ loved both of them anyhow.

   So, what is the difference between these two disciples? The difference is clay and wax. What does clay and wax have to do with disciples? I’m glad you asked. The difference is heat. Under pressure both of these disciples cracked and gave into sin. But, the difference is after the pressure what they did.

   Judas wanted Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom. He wanted Jesus to take down the Roman Empire. That way he would become a leader in this earthly kingdom. Judas couldn’t see past the now. That is why, when he found out that Jesus wasn’t planning to take down the Empire, he betrayed Jesus. After he did it he felt bad. He had betrayed his master. He could not bear what he had done so he hardened his heart. Rather than running to Jesus he ran away from him. Judas was put under the fire of sin. Judas is like clay. When put under fire Judas’ heart hardened. That is why he killed himself. He would not repent of what he did.

   Peter, on the other hand, knew that Jesus was the Son of God. He knew that the kingdom Jesus said he would rule would happen in the future. I am sure Peter wasn’t quite expecting that kingdom to come about the way it did; but it was much better than what he would have planned. Anyhow, Peter said he did not know Jesus three times. But, unlike Judas, Peter had a heart of wax. When Peter was put under the pressure of sin his heart melted. Rather than running from Jesus he ran to Jesus. He asked Jesus to forgive him. And, that is what made him different from Judas.

   Both of these disciples are known well by Christians all around the world; but they are known for completely different reasons. Both of these men sinned, but the difference is where they ran after the sin.

   So, are you a Judas or a Peter? When you are put under the pressure of sin do you become clay or wax? Do you believe that Jesus will set up his eternal kingdom and that the things of this earth are just temporary?

   Luke 22, Matthew 27:1-10, John 21:15-17, Acts 3:19