Three like seven represents completeness. The number 3 in the Bible generally conveys themes of divine perfection, completeness and God’s profound involvement in the world. Three, The Holy Trinity: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. There is one God who eternally exists as three distinct persons. Three crosses on the hill, Jesus rose on the third day, three gifts to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, God’s promises to Abraham, Jacob and Isaac for the chosen people of Israel, three days Jonah spent in the great fish, three weeks of mourning by Daniel, Jesus was tempted by Satan three times in the wilderness and the list goes on.
At the Last Supper, Jesus said the two people would betray him. As the scripture plays out we know, one was Judas (for “30” pieces of silver) and the other was Peter (denied Jesus “3” times before the rooster crowed. Both betrayed Jesus, but it is how they handled the ABC’s that made the difference.
Here is the parable or prophecy Jesus was teaching: Judas took the greed of this world (monetary value) and he eventually felt remorse.
Matthew 27:3-5 3 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. 4 “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.” “What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”5 So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
You see, Judas thought he could do it all himself, as he did the “A” and admitted he was a sinner and repented by returning the money and saying he done wrong, BUT he turned to man and himself for repentance. (When he returned the money to the chief priest and the elders and stated, “I have sinned and betrayed innocent blood.” Their reply was “What is that to us? That is your responsibility.” You see, they didn’t forgive or console him and he couldn’t forgive himself so he hanged himself. Judas never Came Back to Jesus, the “C” of the ABC’s-CALL UPON HIS NAME FOR SALVATION.
Matthew 26:24 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
Peter and the ABC’s.
Peter wept bitterly, showing remorse and repentance the “A” of the ABC’s, admitting he is a sinner. He also came back to Jesus, admitting that he needed a savior.
John 21:14-17 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15 When they had finished eating, 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.”16 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.”17 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.
Jesus asked three times, “Do you love me?” One for every time Per denied him “3”, Peter affirmed, recognizing He is the Lord, Completing the “C” of the ABC’s. That he can not do it all himself. He needs the Lord. Being obedient (worship) now we can understand why the 3 times…the res of the story.
Matthew 16:18 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.
What category do you fall under? Worldly pride? Or Humble salvation?