The Disciples' Trial: Peter and Judas

Arguably no disciple was placed higher in the gospels than Peter, and almost no disciple fell lower. No one argued his loyalty more vehemently, and no one denied Jesus more repeatedly. During these early Passover morning hours, while Jesus was confronted with three verbal threats, Peter was also being tested three times. While Jesus stands up for truth in the courtroom, Peter caves into the pressure in the courtyard. We can learn much from Peter's testing that night. Like Peter's trial, tests of our own discipleship do not often happen when we are at our best, but they come upon us unexpectedly and from the unlikeliest of sources. When at last the rooster crowed, it was like a wake-up call to repentance. It was then that Peter remembered the Word that Jesus said (26:75). Remembering Jesus's Word has changed and can change and save disciples. God's amazing grace was demonstrated by the fact that Peter was restored and used mightily by God.
The same cannot be said of another disciple; Judas's death and Peter's denial are set in contrast. Matthew is showing us the difference between a remorse that repents leading to renewal, and a remorse that ruins. While Peter "went out and wept bitterly" (26:75), Judas "went out and hanged himself" (27:4). Though Judas demonstrates some signs associated with repentance, unlike Peter, his heart is not broken but despairing. While a broken heart longs for forgiveness, a despairing heart only thinks of what one can do for oneself. When both hearts hit bottom, one realizes it is powerless and repents, the other tries everything else.