It surely is not our business to compare followers of Christ, but it is the proper business of the Holy Spirit. In the account of the crucifixion the Holy Spirit chooses to compare Peter and Judas. It would be good for us at this time for us to acknowledge that the content of information we have today regarding Judas was not the content of information that the other disciples had of him at the time of the crucifixion. Judas was likely seen as a man of good character and gifts. If this were not true he would not have been chosen to serve as the treasurer of the group. When Jesus told them that one of their number would betray Him, none of them it seems suspected Judas, even as he got up and left the group. Yet all the while Judas was a thief and a betrayer! We have in this story an interesting picture of religion as it is yet today, and by that I mean to suggest the Christian religion.
The outward expression of our Christian faith is inhabited by believers and unbelievers alike and that in such a way that it is most often undiscoverable to us. This being the case, there will often be a great conflict within the confines of the church as the values of the world will conflict with those which is true and just. Just so did Judas grouse about the way he thought that he saw resources squandered. The reaction of believers to sin will also be very much unlike the reaction of unbelievers within the church. I encourage you to take time to listen to our Sunday morning message to get a fuller idea of the contrast between these two men.
