There are so many side stories going on as Jesus approaches the cross that it’s hard to choose what to meditate on! Thanks to Dave Wyrtzen of Dave’s Daily Devo for stimulating these thoughts. I had never compared and contrasted Peter and Judas in this way. Here’s the story as Matthew tells it:

Peter denied it, and using profanity he said, “I don’t know the man!” At that very moment the sound of a crowing rooster pierced the night. Then Peter remembered the prophecy of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows you will have denied me three times.” With a shattered heart, Peter went out of the courtyard, sobbing with bitter tears.

Before dawn that morning, all the chief priests and religious leaders resolved to take action against Jesus and decided that he should be executed. So they bound him with chains and led him away to Pilate, the Roman governor.

Now, when Judas, the betrayer, saw that Jesus had been sentenced to death, remorse filled his heart. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and religious leaders, saying, “I have sinned because I have betrayed an innocent man.” They replied, “Why are you bothering us? That’s your problem.” Then Judas flung the silver coins inside the temple and went out and hanged himself. (Matthew 26.74 – 27.5, TPT)

We know from the rest of the story that Peter hung around (see John 20.1 – 8, for example) and was restored by Jesus (John 21.15 – 17). Judas’ death is in this section. But it could have gone either way for either of them:

• Two men: Peter and Judas, both members of Jesus’ inner circle of 12
• Two similar actions: denial (Peter), betrayal (Judas)
• Two immediately similar responses: tears (Peter), remorse (Judas)
• Two different outcomes: restoration (Peter), suicide (Judas)

As Dave Wyrtzen says:

Judas seeks to pay for his guilt by suicide. Peter could have done the same, but he didn’t. We have to decide whether we will let Jesus’ death pay for our guilt or whether we will arrogantly try to pay the bill ourselves. – Dave Wyrtzen, March 26, 2021

The Apostle Paul clarifies the same option:

God designed us to feel remorse over sin in order to produce repentance that leads to victory. This leaves us with no regrets. But the sorrow of the world works death. (2 Corinthians 7.10, TPT)