And It Was Night

A Peter or a Judas

Does it really matter?

I’d rather be the former

Than be the latter.

Both were disciples

Neither of his own accord,

Both were chosen by Jesus

He is Christ and Lord.

Neither was an error

Could never have been,

Since Jesus did the choosing

No such scene.

Two of the chosen twelve

Both Peter and Judas,

Taught by the greatest teacher

His name was Jesus.

Peter was a member

Of the inner three

While Judas kept the bag

And did so miserly.

They saw the miracles

Personally experienced a few,

Saw that Jesus was special

Without doubt they knew.

They both depended

On the power of the Lord,

They knew from early

He was a man of his word.

But neither could believe

How it all turned out

Especially following

That triumphant shout.

As he rode into Jerusalem

On that Palm Sunday

And the people hailed him king

Jesus was their way.

The way to their dreams

And all that they desired

But in just a few days

All that would expire.

Peter was warned

Of his upcoming denial

But in the end

It was equal to betrayal.

For he knew not the Master

According to his word

And thrice he denied Jesus

It was just as he’d heard.

This was Peter’s night

His very darkest hour

He felt he’d been let down

By Jesus his strong tower.

And it was night

The impossible had happened

Jesus was taken

And Peter felt threatened.

Judas was next

But he had had a preview

And unlike Peter

He definitely knew.

He would betray Jesus

For an agreed price

A kiss would be his act

To identify the Christ.

This was Judas’ secret plan

But Jesus knew of it too

Yet he simply told Judas,

“Do what you have to do!”

And Judas went out

And it was night,

With a kiss Jesus was delivered

And he went without a fight.

This was Judas’ night

His very darkest hour,

He too had felt let down

Where was Jesus’ Power?

Far from freeing himself

He healed the ear of a man,

As for Peter and Judas

This was never their plan.

Judas had sinned

And innocent blood betrayed

If only Jesus had seen it

His and Peter’s way.

And it was night

Yes, night for these two

But it turned out differently

This is very true.

Judas had ended his life

But for Peter life began,

Jesus had singled him out

In his Pentecostal plan.

And when night is come

It matters not the night

But that our Shepherd, Jesus

Will guide our steps aright

And it was night

The Giver of life was dead

But shortly thereafter

The victory song he led.

Why seek ye the living

Among the dead?

He is not here, but risen

Just like he said.

Stewart Russell © March 2019