The Resilience that Restores Us

In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ (Acts 1:15-20).

The Holy Spirit inspired Luke to present a powerful comparison between two of the disciples here. If we look closely, we see Peter who denied Christ, and Judas who betrayed Christ juxtaposed against one another. Peter would assume a position of servant leadership, exhorting the disciples and preaching the gospel with great power. Judas would lose his position among the disciples and suffer a humiliating death. The Spirit reminds us that much like Peter and Judas, we fall to temptation and sin from time to time, but He also shows us the grace and mercy that makes the difference between the fates of these two characters. Imperfect but diligent disciples are encouraged here by the resilience that restores us.

Peter stood up but Judas stayed down. The disciples were gathered back in the upper room. With one heart they were devoted to prayer. Out of this sweet, unified connection with God came a remarkable thing. When Peter stood up he was recognized in the natural as the one who had betrayed Jesus, but now the Holy Spirit prompted him to speak and the disciples to listen. He had been transformed from cowering doubter into confident believer by the grace and mercy of Christ… “Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs’” (John 21:15). Christ had offered the same grace and mercy to Judas at the last supper, but Judas could not get back up because of his unbelief. The Spirit still compels us to come humbly to Christ when we sin… “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Because of Christ’s mercy, we can stand up after we fall.

Peter declared God’s Word but Judas dismissed it. The Spirit compelled Peter to declare the word of God, empowering the disciples to see the current events from heaven’s perspective. Reciting God’s word, written by David so long ago, reassured the disciples that God was aware of and in control of their current circumstances. God had and was working out His perfect plan in their lives… “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). Judas had heard the same word of God, spoken from the lips of Jesus Himself, but the description of his terrible end here shows that he did not believe in the grace and mercy offered in God’s word. Compelled by the Holy Spirit, Peter stood up because He knew and wanted all to know God has got this!

Peter was restored to God’s work but Judas was replaced in it. In responding to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, Peter was restored to the place of leadership that Christ had promised him… “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). God has a purpose, a place, a position for every one of us… “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We are being prepared for and walking in this divine work while we are living in a fallen world, fighting with a fallen nature. We are engaged in a continuous battle between the flesh and the spirit, but we have the promise of God’s grace working in us… “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13), and God’s mercy working for us… “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Trusting God’s grace and mercy keeps us from falling away from fellowship with Him and participation in His divine work.

As we grow up into Christ, we will overcome temptation and keep moving forward through…

The Resilience that Restores Us.