Nobody names his or her kid “Judas.”
And for good reason.
He betrayed the Son of God in a very public and shameful fashion as describe in Mark 14:10-11.
But there are millions of men and boys named Peter. Didn’t Peter betray Jesus in a public and shameful fashion?
It is not the act of betray that distinguishes the men, but instead the motive and the response.
Judas perhaps was motivated by a desire to force Jesus’ hand toward a setting up a new, political messianic kingdom and by the desire for money.
In essence, he was looking for what he could get out of the deal.
Peter wasn’t in it for the money and his midnight, courtyard denial of knowing Jesus was simply an effort to get out of trouble.
Judas’ pride — lied to by Satan — told him suicide was better than repentance since “God would never forgive a betrayer.”
Peter likely heard the same lie, but didn’t embrace it.
He did repent. And look how God used him.
We’ve all betrayed Jesus at one time or another.
And yet, our names are not on a “Never name your kid after him or her” list.
When we fail — and we will — let’s remember that any voice we hear that leads us away from reptentance is coming from him whose purpose is to steal, kill and destroy.
It’s so much better to run to the voice of Him who doesn’t want anyone to perish but instead for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
As always, I love you
Martin
