Wednesday | 02 September 2026
Prior to his conversion, Peter was a religious zealot. His confidence was in his flesh. He claimed that he would lay down his life for Christ. Joh 13:37. We can ask the question: was this an offering motivation or did it belong to the course of this world, governed by the prince of the power of the air who is at work in the sons of disobedience? Peter’s response, manifesting the confusion associated with his infirmity, demonstrated that his motivation belonged to the latter. Peter was, in fact, disobedient. Jesus had said to Peter, and the other disciples, that they were to return to their houses when He, as the Shepherd, began to be struck. Mat 26:31-32. He then said to those who, in their zealotry, had come to arrest Him, ‘This is your hour, and the power of darkness.’ Luk 22:53.
Peter’s infirmity was revealed through his denials of Jesus. Yet, as he met Christ eye to eye, the thoughts and intentions of his heart were exposed, and his iniquitous zealotry was broken in him. In obedience to Christ’s word, he then went to his home mourning in a manner that was now leading to repentance and salvation.
Judas made progressively adversarial responses to Christ as he maintained the posture of the despiser. This was first manifest by his unbelief and offence when Jesus said to His followers, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.’ Joh 6:53-54. Judas stumbled and was offended by those words. Joh 6:61. This was the fruit of unbelief, for He said to the twelve disciples, ‘The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.’ Joh 6:63-64. He then said, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil [accuser, opposer]?’ Joh 6:70.
Further Study:
John 6
References:
Joh 13:37
Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.’
Mat 26:31-32
Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: “I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.’
Luk 22:53
When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
Joh 6:53-54
Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.’
Joh 6:61
When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, ‘Does this offend you?’
Joh 6:63-64
‘It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.
Joh 6:70
Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’