SIMON VS. ISCARIOT(Divineodelia) SIMON VS. ISCARIOT

Simon

“No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I all deny you, I wouldn’t betray you.” Peter said. He loved Jesus, and he’d lay down his life for him at any moment.

Peter: a fisherman who battled with his net, and had to wiggle it, in order to get his supper for the night. It was during one of his escapades that he found Jesus. He’d been confused when Jesus told him to drop his net and follow him. Though confused, it seemed like he was doing the right thing.

He’d been among the first four disciples, he’d tagged along when Jesus went up to Mount Tabor to visit Elijah and Moses. He’d watched keenly, taking note of what his leader did, and looked for ways to please him.

He held the key of the church; Jesus entrusted him with it, for he had acknowledged him, when other seemed clueless.

Peter had a big heart; Jesus told them all of them what the future held, but Peter rebuked him, he didn’t want the Lord Jesus Christ to die, he would fight for him. Peter had more experiences with Jesus more than all his disciples: from walking on water, to transfiguration, to acknowledgement, and finally, to Gethsemane.

He’d been weary before the trip to Gethsemane. He knew his Lord’s death was close, but not only that bothered him, Jesus said he’d betray him. He’d slept when Jesus called him to pray. The betrayal had already begun.

He’d slain a soldier’s ear, Jesus healed it. But that was one of his prove that he would not betray Jesus. After he was taken, he kept a close watch, taking notes of where Jesus went next, to make sure he’d still be in touch with Jesus. And then it happened.

Peter out of distraught, he sat in the company of people he didn’t know. The disciples had scattered after the scenery in Gethsemane. Peter wept silently, his master was about to be crucified. And if that wasn’t enough he heard a girl speak.

“You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” She pointed directly at him. Peter looked around, it couldn’t be him the girl spoke of. All eyes were on him. “No…no,” he tried to speak without stuttering, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He stood up and walked out, he couldn’t bear the look they wore on their faces. He walked down to the gate way, he heard another voice.

“This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He grew angry. He denied it; this time, with an oath. “I do no know who you speak of!” the girl walked out, and he stood there, deep in thought. He didn’t even notice when a group of persons walked up to him. “Surely,” one of them spoke up, “ you are one of them, for your accent gives away.” Fear gripped Peter, he managed to say, and to prove he wasn’t lying, he cursed himself and swore. “I do not know the man!”

The people gazed at him with a suspicious look. And then, the cock crowed. Silence…
The people didn’t matter to again, what did was the sound of the bird, and the voice of Jesus he remembered saying, ‘before the cock crows, you will deny me.’ Peter became sober, he really denied him, not once, but three times. He walked away from the gate, head down, and he wept like never before.

Iscariot

“Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wage, and the money given to the poor.” Judas expressed his anger on the extravagant wastage of an expensive perfume. Minutes ago, a woman came with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, she’d broke the jar, and poured the sweet fragrance on the hair of Jesus. Judas didn’t like that. Money wasn’t supposed to be wasted that way.

He’d been one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ, he’d tagged along while Jesus walked and taught. Judas didn’t know if Jesus was the Messiah or not, he was just a follower.

When Jesus announced his death he’d given a thought about it; why will the Messiah who’s supposed to be treated like royalty, die for others? He didn’t understand him. He needed money, Jesus didn’t. And when he remembered the alabaster lady episode, he’d summarized that Jesus didn’t care about money, nor if his disciples had. After much thought, he walked down to the chief priest office.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you a follower of that impostor named Jesus?” one of the chief priest roared, when he spotted Judas in their midst.

“I bring good news,” he said with his lips giving way for a cunny smile. “I know of a way to get rid of Jesus without causing a scene.” Judas had told them of the plans to meet on the plains of Gethsemane, they’d go after the last supper when Jesus had gone to pray. Judas saw it as a perfect convenient place to arrest Jesus.

“But it’ll cost you some money.” He added. The chief priest looked at one another, and gave signs on considering his offer. “Name your price.”

“Thirty pieces of silver.”

“Done.”

Judas bit his tongue, he’d’ve increased the price and asked for sixty or eighty, but instead, he asked for just thirty silver coins. He’d walked out of the temple; half happy, half sad. He’d have to prepare for the last supper.

During supper, Jesus talked, but he didn’t listen. He was memorizing the plans he’d made with the priest.

“It’s one of the twelve, the one who dips bread into the bowl with me.” It was only then he’d heard what Jesus had said. He’d just dipped his bread when Jesus did. He stood up from his seat, and left the room, he’d ran to the chief pries, and told them that he’d show them to Jesus by kissing him on his cheek. They agreed and tossed him the silver coins. He smiled.

When the night had restored it’s strength, and stretched throughout the sky, Judas led the soldiers with swords and cubs, ready to put Jesus down. As they reached where Jesus was, he walked towards his direction and planted a kiss on his cheek. The soldiers walked to him and seized Jesus, and that was the last time he saw him.

Friday afternoon, Jesus was on his way to Golgotha, and that was when it dawned on Judas. He’d betrayed his Lord. He ran back to the chief priests, he hadn’t spent a dime. “Take it back!” he said regretfully.

“Oh, no! The money is yours now.” They refused it, and afraid, he threw it on the floor. He walked out of the temple, and just like Peter, he pulled his head down, and wept.

Peter and Judas had two things in common: they’d both betrayed him. They’d been his disciples, but turned their backs at him. But what made them different was the response to each action. Peter had walked down and wept to the heavens, God forgave him. Peter gained redemption.

Judas ran down to a tree, filled with shame and guilt, he’d tied a rope around his neck and hung himself. He didn’t repent. He lost redemption.

God forgave Peter because he came back, Judas didn’t return, and he lost everything. God’s hands are open wide to those who are ready to be forgiven. God is love.

Much love❤️❤️

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