After failure where do you turn?

By Keith O'Neal - Director

Matt 27:3-5
3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and other leaders.
4 "I have sinned," he declared, "for I have betrayed an innocent man." "What do we care?" they retorted. "That's your problem."
5 Then Judas threw the money onto the floor of the Temple and went out and hanged himself. NLT

Judas and Peter both made decisions they never thought they would make. Peter denied Christ and Judas betrayed Christ.  They had walked with Christ and witnessed first hand the miracles He performed like healing the sick, raising the dead, and causing blind eyes to open.  How in the world could they ever make such horrible decisions?

As I looked at both of them I couldn’t help but wonder why Peter went on to become a great apostle while Judas committed suicide.  Both had failed but their lives went two very different directions.  I believe the difference can be found in the decisions they made immediately after their failure.  In John 21:15 Peter, after seeing Christ onshore jumped from his fishing boat and had an encounter with Christ.  Judas, after his failure turned to the religious leaders in an attempt to reverse what He had done.  They rejected him and hopelessness gripped his heart to the point he killed himself. 

I believe with all my heart that Jesus would have forgiven Judas if he had just come to Him and not the religious leaders.  Just as He met with and restored Peter, Christ would have forgiven Judas and there is no telling what good Judas could have done.  The Gospel of Judas?  Howabout 1st and 2nd Judas?  Judas fatal mistake was not betraying Christ, his fatal mistake was looking to religious people to undo his sin and not to God. 

It has been very well documented that mans religion is not the best place to turn when you have failed.  At RestorationNET we are determined to be a ministry where people who are consumed with hopelessness can find that life changing hope that only comes from having an encounter with Christ. We are determined not to be a ministry that rejects people as the "religious" people rejected Judas.  You will never hear the words “That’s Your Problem” from me or my staff.  If we can ever help you please feel free to contact us.  There is nothing more important than you and we will do all we can to love and support you.  That is a promise!