LUKE 22: 21-23, 34, 61 and 62: But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me. And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.
Jesus spoke at the last supper that the hand of the person to betray him is at the table with him. The disciples also debated about it asking Jesus if they would be the one to betray him. But it is amazing that Judas Iscariot felt so comfortable and no shiver was sent down his spine for this. He still went ahead to bring the enemies so as to deliver Jesus into their hands. When he brought the multitudes to the garden where Jesus was with his disciples, Jesus asked him: do you betray the son of man with a kiss? Yet, he was not remorseful. His heart was bent on the evil he had determined to do. A contrite heart will not wait until he sees the consequences of his action before he repents. Though Judas became sorrowful after he saw that Jesus had been condemned to death yet it was not a sorrow that led him to repentance.
Let us look at Peter on the other hand. Jesus told him he was going to deny him three times. Peter responded immediately that he was not going to deny Jesus rather he would follow him even if others would desert him. He truly denied Jesus as he was told, but he promptly repented at the sight of the master. He wept bitterly.
We must be prompt to reconsider our ways and repent at the simple nudging of the Holy Spirit if we are truly God’s children. Waiting until others bring us reproof from the Lord could mean we have wandered too far.
What are the lessons for us?
1. A contrite heart will not wait until he sees the consequences of his action before he repents.
2. A heart that trembles at God’s word will not be easily plunged into sin.
Reflect on Isaiah 66:2b …but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Prayer: Ask God to give you a contrite heart that trembles at God’s word.
