On the wrong team

I generally have an opinion about everything, even girly stuff. I think though if I was Peter and Jesus told me something I would shut my mouth and take it to heart. In Matthew 26 Jesus tells Peter he is going to betray Jesus and Peter says “no I will not.” Ok you have Jesus who heals the sick. He raises people from the dead. He casts out demons. He walks on water. He turns water into wine. And he is always talking about the future. Or you have a fisherman that is a hot head. Hmmm who would you listen to? I would think by that time Peter would have learned to shut his mouth and take to heart what Jesus was saying. How often do I shut my mouth and listen to Jesus instead of trying to have all the answers. This is something to consider.

Then later on I had the thought. This chapter introduces Judas as the guy that is going to betray Jesus. Think about this. Jesus knew before the foundation of the earth that Judas was going to betray him. Knowing this he still befriended him and let him be on his team. Man when I do not like someone because I don’t trust them I do not let them in. Yet Jesus let Judas in. Who do I write off? I am not the Messiah, so I do not have to worry about knowing how things are going to end. But who do I not befriend because I don’t like them. Who do I not give a chance? What an unbelievable act of grace Jesus gives to someone that was going to betray him. I understand that, that was the plan from the beginning, but it is still a picture of God’s grace and love. He loved you and me so much that he would befriend his betrayer. That is crazy.