When they realized what they had done ...
[Peter] went out and wept bitterly.
[Judas] went and hanged himself.
Matthew 26:75, 27:5
I remember hearing the story of two girls in China. They'd been mentored by an excellent pastor and came to faith in Christ. But a few decades ago in this communist land, the inevitable persecution came. The pastor was handed a gun and told, "Shoot these girls, or we'll shoot you."
Fear won out, and the pastor aimed the pistol.
The girls acknowledged his betrayal with profound grace. "Pastor, it's okay. We'll pray that afterward you'll repent like Peter rather than despair like Judas."
Question: We've all betrayed Jesus -- and other people we care about -- in big ways and small. Do you trust that God loves you and can forgive you, or do you continue to sink deeper and deeper into despair? (On the cross, Jesus forgave those who literally pounded the nails into his hands. He absolutely can forgive you. Opt for thanksgiving and life instead of despair.)
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