There are many gut-wrenching parts to the death of Jesus and his resurrection.
One is how Judas, a “friend” for three years, hands Jesus over to his enemies—with a sign of affection.
Another is when Jesus willingly steps into a rigged trial, one He knows He will lose.
Another troubling part of this account is when Peter, Jesus’ right-hand man, denies knowing Jesus even after he’s been warned that he will deny him. You can read about this in Mark 14:27-31 and Mark 14:66-72.
Jesus knows what Peter is doing. In fact, the Bible says that while Jesus is being mistreated in the house of the high priest, he turns and looks “straight at Peter” (Luke 22:61 NIV). At that point, Peter remembers the warning Jesus gave him, and he runs out of the courtyard and weeps “bitterly.”
The amazing part of Peter’s betrayal is that Jesus gives him a chance to repent. You can read all about it in John 21:15-25.
Now it’s your turn: Please choose from any of the options below.
1. Write the journal entries of Peter just after his denials and just after his repentance.
2. Have you ever repented of something? Write your story.
3. What is repentance? Write a few sentences to define it. Then give two examples. Also, include a few sentences to explain what repentance is NOT; that is, write a negative definition (“Repentance is not . . . “).
4. You have a friend who has done something wrong. What can you say to encourage him or her to repent?
5. After someone has repented, really and truly, why do they still suffer the consequences of their former actions?
6. What does the Bible say about how God treats sins that He has forgiven and the sinner who has repented? Do a little research (a concordance may be helpful here) and report your findings in a list, with references.
7. Have you ever been betrayed by a friend? How do you know when it is safe to trust them again (if ever)? Write your story and your ideas.
Click here for another Easter prompt.
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