Judas and Peter both walked with Jesus and both failed Him. Yet one chose repentance and was restored, while the other chose rebellion and was destroyed. The question for us is simple: Which path will you take?
REVIEW: Peter Fell but Judas Rebelled
- READ: Matthew 27:3–5 – “Then Judas, his betrayer, seeing that Jesus had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,’ he said. ‘What’s that to us?’ they said. ‘See to it yourself!’ So he threw the silver into the temple and departed. Then he went and hanged himself.”
- DISCUSS: How can you tell the difference between stumbling in weakness and choosing rebellion in your own life?
REVIEW: Peter was protecting himself; Judas was promoting himself
- READ: Philippians 2:3–4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.”
- DISCUSS: When have you been tempted to promote yourself instead of trusting God’s plan? How can humility free you from selfish ambition?
REVIEW: Peter lost his community; Judas left his community
- READ: 1 Peter 5:5–6 – “In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time.”
- DISCUSS: What role has community played in keeping your faith strong? Where do you need to invite others to know you more honestly?
REVIEW: Peter humbled himself, repented, and was redeemed. Judas did not and was destroyed.
- READ: 1 Peter 1:18–19, 23 – “For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. … because you have been born again—not of perishable seed but of imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.”
- DISCUSS: When you fall short, do you tend to hide in shame or run to Jesus for redemption? What would it look like for you to humble yourself and repent today?
ASK:
What else did you get from this week's sermon? What actions or next steps can you take to apply it to your life?
PRAY:
Lord Jesus, You know my weakness. You see the ways I stumble, and You know the places where I am tempted to turn away. Thank You that You are merciful when I fall. Help me to run to You, not from You. Give me humility to repent, courage to walk in community, and faith to trust that Your blood has redeemed me. Keep me on the path of life. Amen.
INVITATION TO RESPOND:
This week, choose the path of repentance and redemption:
- Be honest with God: Confess your sin to Him in prayer.
- Invite accountability: Share your struggles with a trusted believer.
- Return to community: Re-engage in group life, don’t isolate.
- Practice humility: Put someone else’s needs before your own.
- Receive grace: Remind yourself daily that your hope is in Christ, not yourself.
Peter and Judas both stumbled—but only one returned to Jesus. Things are not always as they seem. Which path will you take?