“Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Rabbi!’ and kissed him.” Mark 14:44-45 NIV

“After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, ‘Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’  He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about.’ Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept” Mark 14:69-72

Two men stood at a fork in the road. Each carried regrets from the past. Each had to choose a direction for the future.

One chose the road to self-destruction.
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.'”
“‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.'” Matthew 27:3-4
When he realized that he could not change the past, he chose not to deal with his future.
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.” Matthew 27:5

The other chose the road to life. After Jesus was resurrected, he found the disciples fishing.
“Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” John 21:7
He ran to his Savior, who gave him forgiveness from the past and a purpose for his future.
“… Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’
Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
He answered, ‘Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’
The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’
Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.'” John 21:15-17

Two men failed. Two men had to choose a direction. Only one man chose life.

Have you made decisions that you wish you could take back? If so, you are standing on the road of Peter and Judas. Easter is a celebration of new life, of hope where hope has been lost. Jesus, who overcame death, invites you to join Him on the road to resurrection. He sits before you, offering forgiveness, asking, “Do you love me?”

Which direction will you choose?