We Serve a Kind and Humble God
Who is Willing and Able to Receive Us Back
by Mark Mountjoy
Scripture text: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.- Our Lord
Dear friends, Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot share the notorious distinction of betraying our Lord at his most vulnerable hour. Both zealous followers turned hollow after Jesus’ arrest - one denying even knowing the man he left everything to follow, while the other accepting paltry coins to abandon the “Rabbi” he once revered.
Yet in the agonized aftermath, each apostle’s path drove irrevocably separate directions. Judas spiralled rapidly toward utter despair, recoiling in guilt before religious leaders already proven bloodthirsty. Bereft of hope in atonement, he pronounced fatal judgment against himself in remorse. Conversely, with anguished tears and shamed heart, Peter clung to flickers of past kindness glimpsed in the eyes of Jesus being led unjustly away. Poignant moments of undeserved restoration around breaking bread later restored Peter from his psychological depths.
Judas mirrors humanity in spiritual solitude turning downward from divine grace. Peter reflects those who - however far we fall - choose relentlessly seeking mercy’s smile emerging through darkness. On the most solemn week, both apostles signal each of us: Will regret drive bitter isolation? Or humble restoration spark hope anew? Let us pray our unworthiness finds company in footprints leading home.
In Christ’s name - the friend of overt sinners and covert hypocrites alike. Amen.
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