Without Christ we are hopefully lost, but with Christ we have a blessed hope. King David wrote, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hands” (Psalm 37:23-24). This morning we shall discuss two of Jesus’ disciples (Peter and Judas) and see the importance of Jesus’ work of intercession.
Judas’ Betrayal
It is remarkable that Jesus called Judas Iscariot to be a disciple (and made him the Treasurer). We are told by John that Jesus said to His disciples, who were struggling with His teaching, “‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:70-71). Jesus knew Judas would betray Him and it would fulfill prophecy about Himself.
Whitewashed Tomb
A whitewashed tomb is exactly what it sounds like: a tomb covered over with white paint. Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees this when He said, “Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matt 23:29). Judas was a whitewashed tomb. He appeared righteous, but was wicked. When Jesus said one of His disciples would betray Him, they didn’t immediately suspect Judas. Jesus knew and this is why He said, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, ‘You are not all clean.” (John 13:10-11).
Satan Possessed Judas
We are told in John 13:2 that “the devil…put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.” Jesus knew this and later in this chapter He said, “I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me’ [Ps 41:9]…When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me’” (John 13:18-19,21). John asked, “‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is he whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.’ And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him” (John 13:21-27a).
Jesus Dismissed Judas
Jesus told Judas, “What you do, do quickly” (John 13:27b). Jesus knew that Judas was a wicked hypocrite. In His High Priestly prayer, Jesus prayed to the Father, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12). Jesus dismissed Judas to carry out his wicked, satanic scheme. Judas was ungodly, and Jesus will dismiss all the ungodly into eternal punishment (Matt 25:46).
Peter’s Denial
Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, and He knew that Peter would deny Him. Peter was a man who struggled with fear and doubt, and tried to hide it with bravado. After Judas left, Jesus said, “Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’” (John 13:33). Peter said to Jesus, “‘Lord, where are You going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.’ Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’” (John 13:37-38). Peter would deny Jesus.
Sifted Wheat
In Luke 22:31-38, Jesus told Peter that Satan wanted to sift him like wheat. In biblical times, wheat or other grain was violently shaken through a sieve (or large strainer) so that the chaff (impurities) would separate from the good, usable grain. The devil wanted to shake his faith through adversity (see Job 1-2). Peter’s faith would be greatly tested when he saw Jesus arrested and crucified.
Satan Oppressed Peter
When Peter heard Jesus speak of His impending death and resurrection, he “took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’” (Matt 16:21-22). Jesus replied, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt 16:23). Peter was oppressed and misled by Satan. He became weakened and cowardly to the point of denying Jesus three times (Luke 22:60-62).
Jesus Prayed for Peter
Jesus told Peter that He would protect Him from Satan. Jesus said, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32a). What Satan meant for evil, Jesus intended for good. Jesus is powerful and knew that His prayer would be heard by the Father and granted to Him. Jesus intercedes for His followers. Jesus then said to Peter “and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:32b). The protection Jesus offered to Peter is also offered to all Christians because Jesus is at the right hand of God the Father and intercedes for us (Romans 8:34).
Jesus’ Appeal
Judas betrayed Jesus and Peter denied Jesus. Both turned against Jesus, but one was saved while the other was not. That is because one was being interceded for and the other was not. As High Priest, Jesus intercedes for His followers. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Jesus appeals to the Father for His followers and if you are a Christian take heart that you will not be lost. This isn’t because we will always make the right decisions or never fall, but because Jesus saves us completely and upholds us in His hand forever.
Are you the good man spoken of by King David? David wrote, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hands” (Psalm 37:23-24). Without Christ we are hopelessly lost, but with Christ we are secure. Though we fall, the Lord upholds us. Even if we are cast down, the Lord upholds us. Isaiah prophesied, “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed’, says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” (Is 54:10). Peter is a good man and was upheld by Jesus. Judas is a wicked man and was dismissed by Jesus. If you are a Christian, love the Lord Jesus Christ who intercedes on your behalf. Without Christ we are hopelessly lost, but with Christ we have a blessed hope.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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