One of the things we forget about the night of the crucifixion of Jesus was that Judas wasn’t the only one that betrayed Jesus.

He wasn’t the only one that denied Him and turned his back upon Jesus.

Peter did too.

That Peter?  Yes. That Peter.

Read what happens in Luke 22

61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

As Jesus stood before trial, three times Peter was asked if he knew Jesus and three times he denied Jesus.

Three times he had the chance to stand for Jesus, to stand with Jesus, to show his loyalty to Jesus, and three times he denied Jesus.

It wasn’t just Judas that betrayed Jesus. Peter did too.

And yet, Jesus still used Peter for amazing things, while Judas ended his life soon after.

Why?

What made the difference.

Now, as I tell my people all the time, this is my opinion and my opinion and a $1.50 will get you a cup of coffee.  But, perhaps what separated Judas from Peter wasn’t the forgiveness of Jesus. It was this.  Peter could forgive himself.  Judas couldn’t.

Today, you can forgive yourself.  God has forgiven you.  You can forgive yourself.

Peter, in spite of his denial, was able to forgive himself and be used by God in amazing ways.

The same is true for you.

Today, you can forgive yourself.  God has forgiven you.  You can forgive yourself.

Today, may we each know the power of forgiveness.