Discerning Other Minds

Criminal Minds Pt 2

Bud Wrenn 4.3.11

Judas and Peter :  Different?

1) Their Presentation – Self Awareness

Judas was smooth. 

Peter was rough and abrupt.

John 12:4-6 (NLT) ⁴ But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, ⁵ “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” ⁶ Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

Mark 2:2-6 (NLT) ²Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed, ³and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. ⁴ Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.
⁵ Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.

2) Their Attitudes

Judas' mind was consumed with his own self-interest.  His greed consumed him.  Peter was open-minded, and willing to learn from mistakes.

John 12:6 (NLT)  ⁶ Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.

Matthew 14:28-30 (NLT) ²⁸ Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” ²⁹ “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

3) Their Processing

Judas was calculating.  He had an agenda behind the things he did. 

Peter was spontaneous.  He spoke and did things as they came to his mind.

Matthew 26:14-16 (NLT) ¹⁴ Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests ¹⁵ and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶ From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Matthew 26:33-34 (NLT) ³³ Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” ³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

4) Their Outlook

Judas was a contrarian.  Judas’ devious nature reflected in the way he betrayed Jesus with a kiss. 

Peter was unfiltered, ‘wearing his emotions on his sleeve’.

Matthew 26:48-49 (NLT) ⁴⁸ The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.”
⁴⁹ So Judas came straight to Jesus. “Greetings, Rabbi!” he exclaimed and gave him the kiss.

Luke 22:49-51 (NLT) ⁴⁹ When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” ⁵⁰ And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. ⁵¹ But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

5) Their Faith

In the midst of failure, Judas saw condemnation. 

In the midst of failure, Peter saw redemption.

Matthew 27:4-5 (NLT) ⁴ “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” ⁵ Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

John 21:4-7 (NLT) ⁴ At dawn Jesus … said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. ⁷ Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore.