By Brandi Hafler
During Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth, He surrounded Himself with people that He would train to continue the work that He began.
He invited 12 men to join Him as He walked from village to village, healing people, casting out demons, and proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God. Those men came from different backgrounds and different social classes, with different family situations and careers. Each had his own set of insecurities, fears, and hang-ups. Jesus spent His days teaching them how to love God and love others.
Two of the men failed.
Judas was led by greed and chose betrayal. He received 30 pieces of silver to lead the Jewish chief priests to Jesus.
“Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him.” (Mark 14:44-46 NIV)
Peter, led by fear, chose denial.
“After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, ‘Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about.’ Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:69-72)
This is where both men learned a hard lesson: we cannot undo our worst decisions. No matter how much we regret our actions, not every mistake can be fixed.
Have you been there, in that moment of deep regret? Have you ever wished that you could step back in time and do something different?
This place is not a cement barrier with a “Road Ends” sign. This is not where your journey comes to an abrupt stop. It is a crossroads. It is an opportunity to go a different way. Judas and Peter were at a crossroads. Here is what they did.
One chose the road to self-destruction.
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’”
“’What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’” (Matthew 27:3-4)
When he realized that he could not change the past, he chose not to deal with his future.
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:5)
The other chose the road to life. After Jesus was resurrected, He found some of the disciples fishing.
“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” (John 21:7)
He ran to his Savior, who gave him forgiveness from the past and a purpose for his future.
“… Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:15-17)
Two men failed. One turned back to Jesus. His life became a testament to how Jesus’ grace is greater than our worst sin. And he became the rock on which Jesus built His church. (Matthew 16:18)
How about you? Are you carrying the guilt and shame of decisions that you wish you could undo? Have you been avoiding God because you feel like He could never forgive you?
Your story is not over. Your road has not come to an end. You are standing at a crossroads. Jesus, who overcame death, invites you to join Him on the road back to life. He is offering forgiveness, asking, “Do you love me?”
Which road will you choose?
—————
Brandi Hafler is a Wesleyan pastor in West Michigan who works to connect people through serving, care and hospitality.
During Jesus Christ’s ministry on earth, He surrounded Himself with people that He would train to continue the work that He began.
He invited 12 men to join Him as He walked from village to village, healing people, casting out demons, and proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of God. Those men came from different backgrounds and different social classes, with different family situations and careers. Each had his own set of insecurities, fears, and hang-ups. Jesus spent His days teaching them how to love God and love others.
Two of the men failed.
Judas was led by greed and chose betrayal. He received 30 pieces of silver to lead the Jewish chief priests to Jesus.
“Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him.” (Mark 14:44-46 NIV)
Peter, led by fear, chose denial.
“After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, ‘Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about.’ Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:69-72)
This is where both men learned a hard lesson: we cannot undo our worst decisions. No matter how much we regret our actions, not every mistake can be fixed.
Have you been there, in that moment of deep regret? Have you ever wished that you could step back in time and do something different?
This place is not a cement barrier with a “Road Ends” sign. This is not where your journey comes to an abrupt stop. It is a crossroads. It is an opportunity to go a different way. Judas and Peter were at a crossroads. Here is what they did.
One chose the road to self-destruction.
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’”
“’What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’” (Matthew 27:3-4)
When he realized that he could not change the past, he chose not to deal with his future.
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27:5)
The other chose the road to life. After Jesus was resurrected, He found some of the disciples fishing.
“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” (John 21:7)
He ran to his Savior, who gave him forgiveness from the past and a purpose for his future.
“… Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’” (John 21:15-17)
Two men failed. One turned back to Jesus. His life became a testament to how Jesus’ grace is greater than our worst sin. And he became the rock on which Jesus built His church. (Matthew 16:18)
How about you? Are you carrying the guilt and shame of decisions that you wish you could undo? Have you been avoiding God because you feel like He could never forgive you?
Your story is not over. Your road has not come to an end. You are standing at a crossroads. Jesus, who overcame death, invites you to join Him on the road back to life. He is offering forgiveness, asking, “Do you love me?”
Which road will you choose?
—————
Brandi Hafler is a Wesleyan pastor in West Michigan who works to connect people through serving, care and hospitality.
