88. FATE OR FREE WILL?
Does God write some peoples fate to be doomed before they are born?
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Have you ever missed an opportunity? Maybe you said, "I wish I had known about that campaign, I could have gotten a better phone plan!"
Have you ever wasted an opportunity? Perhaps you have never thought about it, but there is a difference between missing and wast- ing an opportunity. When you wasted that opportunity, did you wish afterwards that you could have another chance? For example,
“I wish I had switched my phone plan during that campaign. My bill would be a lot cheaper right now. Why did I procrastinate?”
When you see good or bad events in your own life, or other’s, do you think that the events were written down and sealed by God as your foreordained fate? If you view things this way, then all wasted opportunities are a part of your fate as dictated by God. There would be no choice in the matter. But is that really the truth? Can we choose our destiny or does God decide everything beforehand?
Did God choose beforehand who will be saved and who will be lost?
In this lesson we will look at how two disciples of Jesus, Judas and Peter, made grave mistakes. We might say that they wasted an op- portunity by making bad choices. In the end however, one of them turned from his wrong choice and was given another chance. The other did not turn from his wrong choice. These lives and the choices of these two men become an object lesson to us about fate and how it works. To help us with this dif cult issue, let's consider the following story.
Derya and Ceyda are sisters. Their father is a doctor, and their mother is a teacher. Both girls went to college prep high schools (Anado- lu Liseleri). Derya always worked hard and got good grades. Instead of watching T.V. or hanging out with friends at the mall, she did her homework and studied for tests. She also went to tutoring schools (dershane) to prepare for the college entrance exams. Her hard work paid off, and she scored well enough on the ÖSS to attend her first choice, which was to study business at Boğaziçi University.
Ceyda, the younger of the two girls was actually much brighter. She scored well on placement exams for middle school and high school, but she didn't make good grades at all. In fact her grades were just above passing most of the time. She was constantly in trouble and arguing with her parents because of her grades. It wasn't that she couldn't do the work. She was smart. When her mother and father talked to her teachers, the story was always the same: she hadn't turned in her assignments.
She would get good scores on homework when she did it. But for every homework she turned in there were two that she just didn't do at all. So she got zeros. Her test scores also showed a lack of preparation. She constantly made excuses to her mother and father:
"I didn't know there was a test that day so I didn't study."
"I didn't know those subjects would be on the test. I didn't read those chapters."
Her parents tried everything to help her focus and work harder, from talking with Ceyda to restricting her television privileges. But nothing worked. Ceyda just wouldn't do her work, no matter what the punishment. She was also missing a lot of classes.
One day Ceyda's father and mother drove her to school and watched their daughter go into the building. Her mother suddenly remembered that she wanted to speak to the principal about something. So, she followed Ceyda into the building. She watched Ceyda go into the bathroom. The bell rang, and Ceyda didn't come out to go to class. Her mother said to herself:
"Let me just wait and see what she does."
After five minutes passed, Ceyda still hadn't come out. Her mom went in to see what was going on. When she returned to the car, her husband noticed the shocked look on her face.
"What happened," he asked.
"Ceyda went to the restroom and when the bell rang she didn't come out to go to class. I waited to see what she would do. I waited a full ve minutes. She didn't come out. I thought maybe she was sick. I went in to see her."
"Is she okay? Is she sick?"
"No," her mother said staring blankly out the front window of the car. "She wasn't sick."
"What was she doing? Smoking or putting on make-up?"
"No. She wasn't smoking. She wasn't doing anything. She wasn't doing anything," she repeated. "She was just standing there. I asked her why she wasn't going to class. She just had an empty look on her face and she left."
Ceyda didn't pass the college entrance exams so her father and mother put her in a private college. But the story was still the same.
Ceyda knew every program on television but didn't do her home- work. She soon unked out of school. At home her mother and fa- ther were always after her to help clean the house or prepare meals, but she would complain and nd excuses for not helping. She was
either engrossed in some movie or listening to music. Ceyda's social environment shrank to just a few people and she never married.
Her mother and father spent a lot of time trying to understand why Ceyda was lazy and why Derya was so hard working.
"We gave both our children love and attention equally. The two girls have the same genetic input. They had the same opportunity to attend good schools. Ceyda is actually more intelligent than Derya. But she seems to hate work. She just wants entertainment," her father said.
Staring into her tea-cup his wife said, "In life there are three things: genetic heritage, environment, and personal choice. In my classroom I have seen kids from bad home environments that choose to work hard. They excel in class and accomplish everything they do. I have also seen kids with every privilege just waste their time and talents. Genes play a role. Environment is a factor. But the greatest factor is the choice we make."
Ceyda wasted an opportunity to get a college education. Her mother concluded that there were three factors that affected life: genetics, environment, and choice. But is there a fourth factor? Could it have been Ceyda's fate to be lazy and unk out of school? Did God pre- ordain laziness to be a part of her life? Did He write it in His book before she was born?
We began these lessons wanting to know the conditions for, and possibility of, changing our fate. We examined nature and the scrip- tures to learn about God and what God might change in answer to prayer. We learned from His word and His actions the things that are predetermined in our lives and what God may be willing to change if we ask Him.
As we have read scripture, certain things seem evident. We have a fate that comes to us and cannot change. This fate includes where we are born and who our family is. But while the place and circum- stances of our birth come to us as an unchangeable fate, the fact of our birth has to do with someone else's choice, namely our parents. Although two people, Enoch and Elijah, were translated to heaven without seeing death, for most of us, death is a fate that is unavoidable. Beyond these simple facts we see that most of our life has to do with our choices. The scriptures say,
"How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man."31
Ceyda didn't do her work and she unked out of school. Will she be able to blame her parents for her lack of education or poverty?
Most certainly not! In the passages we just read, the message is loud and clear: "You reap what you sow."
Ceyda didn't listen to her parent's correction. Is that fate? Not according to the Bible. The Bible says,
"Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored."32
The choice is ours. If we obey, we will be honored. If we disobey, we will be shamed and bring shame upon others.
But there are things that happen in our lives over which we have no control. Although we obey the traffic rules perfectly, someone else can run a red light and hit our car. Is that our fate according to God's will? King Solomon had this to say,
"I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all."33
Time and chance do not fall into the category of things we would consider fate as written by the hand of God. Rather, they are the result of probability in a world with millions of people whose movements are bound to intersect or collide. In addition, there are mil- lions of factors like weather and other natural events that randomly affect our lives.
Now we must ask an important question. Will God change things in our lives as an answer to prayer? The answer is a resounding "Yes!" As an answer to prayer, God provided a spouse for Isaac34, gave Daniel visions and dreams revealing the future35, and
influenced kings to give favor to God's people36. By prayer Elisha caused his servant's eyes to be opened so he could see God's angels as an army of horses and chariots of re surrounding and protecting them.37 We read that Jesus worked miracles and changed the fate, the chances, and ill timing in people's lives. He healed the sick38, forgave sins39, and even raised people from the dead!40 Your life can change and be changed through prayer!
In this lesson we will look at the story of two men, Judas and Peter, and show how each of them committed a huge sin. But the out- come of their lives was vastly different. One life ended in shame and the other in glory. We will emphasize once again a most crucial point: God does not determine your eternal salvation or eternal damnation beforehand. He offers a way of salvation to us and we either accept or reject that salvation through the choices we make. He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. He wants them to turn from their ways and live.41
Let's pick up the story right after Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples. We will start reading in John chapter 18 verses 1-5:
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His dis- ciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and of cers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
In the above texts we see that Judas betrayed Jesus. Did Jesus know that Judas was a betrayer? Yes, Jesus even told the disciples that there was a devil among them fully one year before the betrayal.42 Judas was the treasurer for the group but he was a thief and was stealing money out of the bag he carried.43 In spite of this, Jesus permitted Judas to be among the twelve and gave him power to heal and cast out demons.44 Judas was a witness to Jesus' self-sacri cing life. They walked hundreds of kilometers together over dusty roads and served the crowds from morning until night, often going hun- gry because there was not even enough time to eat. His heart must have burned within him as he heard Jesus preach the way of eternal life. With the other disciples he stood paralyzed in shock when he saw Jesus calm the storm. How could Judas not admire a man who healed the sick and raised Lazarus from the dead? Jesus loved Judas so much that he even stooped down and washed his feet. How could Judas nd it in his heart to betray a man like that? If all that wasn't enough, Jesus actually told Judas that he knew he would betray him.45 With all the evidence before him that Jesus was sent from God why would Judas betray Jesus? Isn't that crazy? What could he hope to gain?
Judas betrayed Jesus for money.46 We got our first glimpse into his treachery and feelings of betrayal when Mary anointed Jesus with expensive oil. Judas complained that this was a waste and the mon- ey should have been given to the poor. But Jesus’ opinion was dif- ferent. He said that Mary had done a good thing and blessed her for it.47 Perhaps this gentle rebuke offended Judas. As we stated earlier, Judas was stealing from the moneybag. It seems that Judas' love of money was greater than his love for Jesus. This certainly is a lesson for us. No matter what talents we have, no matter what good aspects of character we may possess, if we cherish a sin, that sin may lead us to greater sins.
Perhaps too, Judas was looking for a kingdom of glory for himself. We know that he loved money. So what might he have thought when he saw the king washing his own feet? Maybe he thought,
"This is not the type of kingdom I want! I want riches and power, not humility and sacrifice!"
So what do you think happened to Judas? Let’s nd out in Matthew chapter 27 verses 1-5:
1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the peo- ple plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Did Judas repent when he confessed his sin? It is not likely considering he went and hanged himself. The priests used the money tobuy the very eld Judas hung himself in and it became a graveyard for strangers.48 Jesus had said,
"The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." 49
In the end it seems that Judas confessed his sin because of a guilty conscience, not because of true repentance.
Why didn't he just simply repent? Hadn't he seen Jesus forgive the lowliest of sinners? Wouldn't this same Jesus who was so humble as to wash Judas' feet, even when he knew that Judas would betray him, also forgive him of all things? Imagine the pain that someone feels if they are so hopeless that they would rather die than face the future. Why wouldn't he simply accept the love that Jesus offered him? Was it simply a matter of pride? Was it pride that led to Judas' suicide and ignominious death?
If Judas's confession was not true repentance, what does true repentance look like? We can actually see a perfect example in the life of Peter.
Peter was there when Jesus was betrayed. He was a proud, tough sherman. He was used to depending on his own skills and strength while working long hours out at sea. He thought that he could use that same ability to remain loyal to Jesus and even proclaimed,
"Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake."50
But Jesus' response was not what he expected to hear,
"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."51
Jesus' words of course were correct. When the soldiers took Jesus, Peter was there and tried to defend Jesus by force. Let’s what hap- pened in John chapter 18 verses 10 and 11:
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"
Now let's see how Peter handled himself a few hours later when he was accused of being a disciple of Jesus. We can read the account in John chapter 18 verses 12-17:
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the of - cers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas rst, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, "You are not also one of this Man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not."
Peter denied knowing Jesus. Why? Was he scared? This is the same Peter that had cut off the High Priest's servant's ear to defend Jesus. What caused the change in his outlook? Jesus had said to Peter,
"Satan has desired you to sift you as wheat." 52
Peter proved to be a strong defender of Jesus in a physical ght. But Satan found a weakness in Peter when it came to scorn. His knife had no power over the girl’s words. Peter’s denial of Jesus was a serious offense. Jesus had said,
"But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."53
By denying Jesus, Peter was cutting himself off from God. Unfor- tunately he didn't do it just one time but three. Let's read what Peter did in John chapter 18 verse 25:
25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not!"
Jesus was arrested in early spring, and his trial took place in the cool weather of the morning. Peter was standing outside by the re with some servants and officers. The fire illuminated the faces of those who were gathered around it. Each person looks silently at the others as their outstretched hands absorb the heat of the flames. Suddenly one of them shocks Peter by identifying him. Peter felt like they were all staring at him. He was uncomfortable and afraid. Without thinking he blurts out his response.
“I am not his disciple!”
Where was Peter's strong resolve to follow Jesus even unto death? What happened to his courage? Let’s see what happened when Peter denied Jesus a third time in John chapter 18 verses 26-27:
26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
Jesus’ prophecy had come true. We can see Peter’s response in Matthew chapter 26 verse 75:
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.
Can you imagine this sherman, skin tanned from being in the sun, hands rough from handling nets, now barely able to stand, shaking, overcome with abhorrence of his own self? He must have said over and over to himself in disbelief,
"I have betrayed my master!"
He could not have felt lower. But what did Peter do? Did he run off and hang himself in despair? Did He hide in a cave? No, he contin- ued to be with the other disciples. How do you think he felt while among them? Perhaps he hung his head when they looked at him, ashamed to look into their eyes.
What kept Peter from giving up all hope? Was it his love for Jesus? It seems that Peter's con dence in himself was gone now. He knew that in a crisis of faith he could be a failure. So Peter wasn't relying on his own ability to love and be loyal. That couldn't be the secret of his repentance. Perhaps it was his con dence in Jesus' love for Peter! That was something he could count on!
There was good news on the horizon. When an angel appeared to the two Marys at Jesus' tomb, he said to them,
"But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."54
The angel called Peter by name! Think what joy that brought to Peter's heart! He was not cast out! He was not rejected! His repentance was seen and accepted by God! Didn't Jesus say that when he was in front of God, he would deny those who denied him? Yes, but repentance is the supreme choice that alters our fate! Judas rejected the chance to repent and ultimately lost his life. Peter on the other hand, seized the opportunity and changed his fate forever.
We looked at the lives and experiences of two people who committed great sins, Peter and Judas. One repented, the other didn't. One will receive glory and the other condemnation. It was their choice. God didn't force them to make the choices they made. He gave opportunity to do what was right and left them to write their own destiny.
What if the opposite were true and God chose some people to be condemned before they were even born? As an illustration, imagine that there is a festival for the fig harvest in Aydın. People from the surrounding villages come by minibus and car to join the harvest celebration. The people are trying to nd a place to park and a policeman says,
"Park here along the street."
One of the visitors says, "It says 'No parking.' Are you sure it is okay to park there?"
"Yes," says the policeman.
The people return from the festival to find a fine on their car. Seeing the policeman they complain,
"Hey, what is this ticket? You yourself said to park here!"
The policeman answers, "Yes, I told you to park there, but it is illegal. I fined you for it."
"You are not only unjust, you are crazy!" declared the driver.
God does not make us do evil by writing it in His book of fate beforehand nor does He punish us because we did it. That wouldn't be just. Ceyda chose to waste her opportunities for an education. Derya took advantage of her opportunity. It was their choice. If we
sow figs we reap figs. If we sow thorns, we reap thorns. It is written in nature and in the Bible. We saw the principle of choice once again in the lives of Judas and Peter. No matter what we have done, God is willing to receive us if we choose repentance. What is your choice? Will you rely on your own power of loyalty to God or on God's loyalty to you?
Discussion Questions
1. Did Derya refuse to study because she thought her sister was smarter than her? What does that tell us about the abilities we are
born with?
2. Do you think Judas felt remorse for stealing money from the bag? In the end, how much wealth did Judas gain from betraying Jesus?
3. Sometimes people want to stop doing something wrong but they feel they have no power to quit. In light of Peter's experience,
what advice would you give them?
4. It is both a physical law and a spiritual law that whatever we sow, we reap. What are some good spiritual things that we can sow?
5. The power of choice is the gift of God. What do you need to do to choose eternal life?
31 Proverbd 6:9-11
32 Proverbs 13:18
33 Ecc. 9:11
34 Genesis 24
35 Daniel 2
36 Nehemiah 2
37 2 Kings 6
38 Matthew 4
39 Mark 2
40 John 11
41 Ezekiel 33:11
42 John 6:64, 70, 71
43 John 12:6
44 Mark 3:14-19
45 John 13
46 Mark 14
47 John 12:7, 8
48 Matthew 27:6-10
49 Matthew 26:24
50 John 13:37
51 John 13:38
52 Luke 22:31
53 Matthew 10:33
54 Mark 16:7
Have you ever wasted an opportunity? Perhaps you have never thought about it, but there is a difference between missing and wast- ing an opportunity. When you wasted that opportunity, did you wish afterwards that you could have another chance? For example,
“I wish I had switched my phone plan during that campaign. My bill would be a lot cheaper right now. Why did I procrastinate?”
When you see good or bad events in your own life, or other’s, do you think that the events were written down and sealed by God as your foreordained fate? If you view things this way, then all wasted opportunities are a part of your fate as dictated by God. There would be no choice in the matter. But is that really the truth? Can we choose our destiny or does God decide everything beforehand?
Did God choose beforehand who will be saved and who will be lost?
In this lesson we will look at how two disciples of Jesus, Judas and Peter, made grave mistakes. We might say that they wasted an op- portunity by making bad choices. In the end however, one of them turned from his wrong choice and was given another chance. The other did not turn from his wrong choice. These lives and the choices of these two men become an object lesson to us about fate and how it works. To help us with this dif cult issue, let's consider the following story.
Derya and Ceyda are sisters. Their father is a doctor, and their mother is a teacher. Both girls went to college prep high schools (Anado- lu Liseleri). Derya always worked hard and got good grades. Instead of watching T.V. or hanging out with friends at the mall, she did her homework and studied for tests. She also went to tutoring schools (dershane) to prepare for the college entrance exams. Her hard work paid off, and she scored well enough on the ÖSS to attend her first choice, which was to study business at Boğaziçi University.
Ceyda, the younger of the two girls was actually much brighter. She scored well on placement exams for middle school and high school, but she didn't make good grades at all. In fact her grades were just above passing most of the time. She was constantly in trouble and arguing with her parents because of her grades. It wasn't that she couldn't do the work. She was smart. When her mother and father talked to her teachers, the story was always the same: she hadn't turned in her assignments.
She would get good scores on homework when she did it. But for every homework she turned in there were two that she just didn't do at all. So she got zeros. Her test scores also showed a lack of preparation. She constantly made excuses to her mother and father:
"I didn't know there was a test that day so I didn't study."
"I didn't know those subjects would be on the test. I didn't read those chapters."
Her parents tried everything to help her focus and work harder, from talking with Ceyda to restricting her television privileges. But nothing worked. Ceyda just wouldn't do her work, no matter what the punishment. She was also missing a lot of classes.
One day Ceyda's father and mother drove her to school and watched their daughter go into the building. Her mother suddenly remembered that she wanted to speak to the principal about something. So, she followed Ceyda into the building. She watched Ceyda go into the bathroom. The bell rang, and Ceyda didn't come out to go to class. Her mother said to herself:
"Let me just wait and see what she does."
After five minutes passed, Ceyda still hadn't come out. Her mom went in to see what was going on. When she returned to the car, her husband noticed the shocked look on her face.
"What happened," he asked.
"Ceyda went to the restroom and when the bell rang she didn't come out to go to class. I waited to see what she would do. I waited a full ve minutes. She didn't come out. I thought maybe she was sick. I went in to see her."
"Is she okay? Is she sick?"
"No," her mother said staring blankly out the front window of the car. "She wasn't sick."
"What was she doing? Smoking or putting on make-up?"
"No. She wasn't smoking. She wasn't doing anything. She wasn't doing anything," she repeated. "She was just standing there. I asked her why she wasn't going to class. She just had an empty look on her face and she left."
Ceyda didn't pass the college entrance exams so her father and mother put her in a private college. But the story was still the same.
Ceyda knew every program on television but didn't do her home- work. She soon unked out of school. At home her mother and fa- ther were always after her to help clean the house or prepare meals, but she would complain and nd excuses for not helping. She was
either engrossed in some movie or listening to music. Ceyda's social environment shrank to just a few people and she never married.
Her mother and father spent a lot of time trying to understand why Ceyda was lazy and why Derya was so hard working.
"We gave both our children love and attention equally. The two girls have the same genetic input. They had the same opportunity to attend good schools. Ceyda is actually more intelligent than Derya. But she seems to hate work. She just wants entertainment," her father said.
Staring into her tea-cup his wife said, "In life there are three things: genetic heritage, environment, and personal choice. In my classroom I have seen kids from bad home environments that choose to work hard. They excel in class and accomplish everything they do. I have also seen kids with every privilege just waste their time and talents. Genes play a role. Environment is a factor. But the greatest factor is the choice we make."
Ceyda wasted an opportunity to get a college education. Her mother concluded that there were three factors that affected life: genetics, environment, and choice. But is there a fourth factor? Could it have been Ceyda's fate to be lazy and unk out of school? Did God pre- ordain laziness to be a part of her life? Did He write it in His book before she was born?
We began these lessons wanting to know the conditions for, and possibility of, changing our fate. We examined nature and the scrip- tures to learn about God and what God might change in answer to prayer. We learned from His word and His actions the things that are predetermined in our lives and what God may be willing to change if we ask Him.
As we have read scripture, certain things seem evident. We have a fate that comes to us and cannot change. This fate includes where we are born and who our family is. But while the place and circum- stances of our birth come to us as an unchangeable fate, the fact of our birth has to do with someone else's choice, namely our parents. Although two people, Enoch and Elijah, were translated to heaven without seeing death, for most of us, death is a fate that is unavoidable. Beyond these simple facts we see that most of our life has to do with our choices. The scriptures say,
"How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep -- so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man."31
Ceyda didn't do her work and she unked out of school. Will she be able to blame her parents for her lack of education or poverty?
Most certainly not! In the passages we just read, the message is loud and clear: "You reap what you sow."
Ceyda didn't listen to her parent's correction. Is that fate? Not according to the Bible. The Bible says,
"Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored."32
The choice is ours. If we obey, we will be honored. If we disobey, we will be shamed and bring shame upon others.
But there are things that happen in our lives over which we have no control. Although we obey the traffic rules perfectly, someone else can run a red light and hit our car. Is that our fate according to God's will? King Solomon had this to say,
"I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all."33
Time and chance do not fall into the category of things we would consider fate as written by the hand of God. Rather, they are the result of probability in a world with millions of people whose movements are bound to intersect or collide. In addition, there are mil- lions of factors like weather and other natural events that randomly affect our lives.
Now we must ask an important question. Will God change things in our lives as an answer to prayer? The answer is a resounding "Yes!" As an answer to prayer, God provided a spouse for Isaac34, gave Daniel visions and dreams revealing the future35, and
influenced kings to give favor to God's people36. By prayer Elisha caused his servant's eyes to be opened so he could see God's angels as an army of horses and chariots of re surrounding and protecting them.37 We read that Jesus worked miracles and changed the fate, the chances, and ill timing in people's lives. He healed the sick38, forgave sins39, and even raised people from the dead!40 Your life can change and be changed through prayer!
In this lesson we will look at the story of two men, Judas and Peter, and show how each of them committed a huge sin. But the out- come of their lives was vastly different. One life ended in shame and the other in glory. We will emphasize once again a most crucial point: God does not determine your eternal salvation or eternal damnation beforehand. He offers a way of salvation to us and we either accept or reject that salvation through the choices we make. He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. He wants them to turn from their ways and live.41
Let's pick up the story right after Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples. We will start reading in John chapter 18 verses 1-5:
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His dis- ciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and of cers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, "Whom are you seeking?" 5 They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am He." And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.
In the above texts we see that Judas betrayed Jesus. Did Jesus know that Judas was a betrayer? Yes, Jesus even told the disciples that there was a devil among them fully one year before the betrayal.42 Judas was the treasurer for the group but he was a thief and was stealing money out of the bag he carried.43 In spite of this, Jesus permitted Judas to be among the twelve and gave him power to heal and cast out demons.44 Judas was a witness to Jesus' self-sacri cing life. They walked hundreds of kilometers together over dusty roads and served the crowds from morning until night, often going hun- gry because there was not even enough time to eat. His heart must have burned within him as he heard Jesus preach the way of eternal life. With the other disciples he stood paralyzed in shock when he saw Jesus calm the storm. How could Judas not admire a man who healed the sick and raised Lazarus from the dead? Jesus loved Judas so much that he even stooped down and washed his feet. How could Judas nd it in his heart to betray a man like that? If all that wasn't enough, Jesus actually told Judas that he knew he would betray him.45 With all the evidence before him that Jesus was sent from God why would Judas betray Jesus? Isn't that crazy? What could he hope to gain?
Judas betrayed Jesus for money.46 We got our first glimpse into his treachery and feelings of betrayal when Mary anointed Jesus with expensive oil. Judas complained that this was a waste and the mon- ey should have been given to the poor. But Jesus’ opinion was dif- ferent. He said that Mary had done a good thing and blessed her for it.47 Perhaps this gentle rebuke offended Judas. As we stated earlier, Judas was stealing from the moneybag. It seems that Judas' love of money was greater than his love for Jesus. This certainly is a lesson for us. No matter what talents we have, no matter what good aspects of character we may possess, if we cherish a sin, that sin may lead us to greater sins.
Perhaps too, Judas was looking for a kingdom of glory for himself. We know that he loved money. So what might he have thought when he saw the king washing his own feet? Maybe he thought,
"This is not the type of kingdom I want! I want riches and power, not humility and sacrifice!"
So what do you think happened to Judas? Let’s nd out in Matthew chapter 27 verses 1-5:
1 When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the peo- ple plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." And they said, "What is that to us? You see to it!" 5 Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Did Judas repent when he confessed his sin? It is not likely considering he went and hanged himself. The priests used the money tobuy the very eld Judas hung himself in and it became a graveyard for strangers.48 Jesus had said,
"The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." 49
In the end it seems that Judas confessed his sin because of a guilty conscience, not because of true repentance.
Why didn't he just simply repent? Hadn't he seen Jesus forgive the lowliest of sinners? Wouldn't this same Jesus who was so humble as to wash Judas' feet, even when he knew that Judas would betray him, also forgive him of all things? Imagine the pain that someone feels if they are so hopeless that they would rather die than face the future. Why wouldn't he simply accept the love that Jesus offered him? Was it simply a matter of pride? Was it pride that led to Judas' suicide and ignominious death?
If Judas's confession was not true repentance, what does true repentance look like? We can actually see a perfect example in the life of Peter.
Peter was there when Jesus was betrayed. He was a proud, tough sherman. He was used to depending on his own skills and strength while working long hours out at sea. He thought that he could use that same ability to remain loyal to Jesus and even proclaimed,
"Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake."50
But Jesus' response was not what he expected to hear,
"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."51
Jesus' words of course were correct. When the soldiers took Jesus, Peter was there and tried to defend Jesus by force. Let’s what hap- pened in John chapter 18 verses 10 and 11:
10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?"
Now let's see how Peter handled himself a few hours later when he was accused of being a disciple of Jesus. We can read the account in John chapter 18 verses 12-17:
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the of - cers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. 13 And they led Him away to Annas rst, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. 14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, "You are not also one of this Man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not."
Peter denied knowing Jesus. Why? Was he scared? This is the same Peter that had cut off the High Priest's servant's ear to defend Jesus. What caused the change in his outlook? Jesus had said to Peter,
"Satan has desired you to sift you as wheat." 52
Peter proved to be a strong defender of Jesus in a physical ght. But Satan found a weakness in Peter when it came to scorn. His knife had no power over the girl’s words. Peter’s denial of Jesus was a serious offense. Jesus had said,
"But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."53
By denying Jesus, Peter was cutting himself off from God. Unfor- tunately he didn't do it just one time but three. Let's read what Peter did in John chapter 18 verse 25:
25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not!"
Jesus was arrested in early spring, and his trial took place in the cool weather of the morning. Peter was standing outside by the re with some servants and officers. The fire illuminated the faces of those who were gathered around it. Each person looks silently at the others as their outstretched hands absorb the heat of the flames. Suddenly one of them shocks Peter by identifying him. Peter felt like they were all staring at him. He was uncomfortable and afraid. Without thinking he blurts out his response.
“I am not his disciple!”
Where was Peter's strong resolve to follow Jesus even unto death? What happened to his courage? Let’s see what happened when Peter denied Jesus a third time in John chapter 18 verses 26-27:
26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
Jesus’ prophecy had come true. We can see Peter’s response in Matthew chapter 26 verse 75:
75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.
Can you imagine this sherman, skin tanned from being in the sun, hands rough from handling nets, now barely able to stand, shaking, overcome with abhorrence of his own self? He must have said over and over to himself in disbelief,
"I have betrayed my master!"
He could not have felt lower. But what did Peter do? Did he run off and hang himself in despair? Did He hide in a cave? No, he contin- ued to be with the other disciples. How do you think he felt while among them? Perhaps he hung his head when they looked at him, ashamed to look into their eyes.
What kept Peter from giving up all hope? Was it his love for Jesus? It seems that Peter's con dence in himself was gone now. He knew that in a crisis of faith he could be a failure. So Peter wasn't relying on his own ability to love and be loyal. That couldn't be the secret of his repentance. Perhaps it was his con dence in Jesus' love for Peter! That was something he could count on!
There was good news on the horizon. When an angel appeared to the two Marys at Jesus' tomb, he said to them,
"But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."54
The angel called Peter by name! Think what joy that brought to Peter's heart! He was not cast out! He was not rejected! His repentance was seen and accepted by God! Didn't Jesus say that when he was in front of God, he would deny those who denied him? Yes, but repentance is the supreme choice that alters our fate! Judas rejected the chance to repent and ultimately lost his life. Peter on the other hand, seized the opportunity and changed his fate forever.
We looked at the lives and experiences of two people who committed great sins, Peter and Judas. One repented, the other didn't. One will receive glory and the other condemnation. It was their choice. God didn't force them to make the choices they made. He gave opportunity to do what was right and left them to write their own destiny.
What if the opposite were true and God chose some people to be condemned before they were even born? As an illustration, imagine that there is a festival for the fig harvest in Aydın. People from the surrounding villages come by minibus and car to join the harvest celebration. The people are trying to nd a place to park and a policeman says,
"Park here along the street."
One of the visitors says, "It says 'No parking.' Are you sure it is okay to park there?"
"Yes," says the policeman.
The people return from the festival to find a fine on their car. Seeing the policeman they complain,
"Hey, what is this ticket? You yourself said to park here!"
The policeman answers, "Yes, I told you to park there, but it is illegal. I fined you for it."
"You are not only unjust, you are crazy!" declared the driver.
God does not make us do evil by writing it in His book of fate beforehand nor does He punish us because we did it. That wouldn't be just. Ceyda chose to waste her opportunities for an education. Derya took advantage of her opportunity. It was their choice. If we
sow figs we reap figs. If we sow thorns, we reap thorns. It is written in nature and in the Bible. We saw the principle of choice once again in the lives of Judas and Peter. No matter what we have done, God is willing to receive us if we choose repentance. What is your choice? Will you rely on your own power of loyalty to God or on God's loyalty to you?
Discussion Questions
1. Did Derya refuse to study because she thought her sister was smarter than her? What does that tell us about the abilities we are
born with?
2. Do you think Judas felt remorse for stealing money from the bag? In the end, how much wealth did Judas gain from betraying Jesus?
3. Sometimes people want to stop doing something wrong but they feel they have no power to quit. In light of Peter's experience,
what advice would you give them?
4. It is both a physical law and a spiritual law that whatever we sow, we reap. What are some good spiritual things that we can sow?
5. The power of choice is the gift of God. What do you need to do to choose eternal life?
31 Proverbd 6:9-11
32 Proverbs 13:18
33 Ecc. 9:11
34 Genesis 24
35 Daniel 2
36 Nehemiah 2
37 2 Kings 6
38 Matthew 4
39 Mark 2
40 John 11
41 Ezekiel 33:11
42 John 6:64, 70, 71
43 John 12:6
44 Mark 3:14-19
45 John 13
46 Mark 14
47 John 12:7, 8
48 Matthew 27:6-10
49 Matthew 26:24
50 John 13:37
51 John 13:38
52 Luke 22:31
53 Matthew 10:33
54 Mark 16:7