II. Peter: A Face of Defeat Turned Into Triumph
Peter messed up big time, and he knew it. The last person you would expect with the group of Jesus' disciple was Peter. Of course there was Judas, but then again, both of them messed up. To his credit though, Peter went back to be with the other believers - perhaps to find comfort among the bereaved, perhaps to make sure that he was still welcome after his betrayal. Here was Peter - once proud, brash, impulsive and yet he felt the weight of his betrayal on his heart, and it hung heavy and painful. He shed bitter tears. He is now seeking redemption. And then the greatest news on earth was heard. Jesus was alive! He is risen from the dead! I could not imagine what Peter must have felt, but he had to see it for himself.
He ran to the tomb and saw it was empty. He only saw the wrappings. He went away marveling. And he must keenly felt his wrongdoing. I would have. The Master that he had denied was alive! And yet, in another gospel account, the angels were recounted to have said something so meaningful, something so uplifting about Peter that from that time on, Peter was a different man. In Mark, the angels declared "Jesus is risen; He is not here. Behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter!" It was as if God wanted to single him out and tell him, "it's all right, Peter, I have forgiven you."
Boldness and strength overtook Peter that soon after the resurrection, he faced a crowd of thousands to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. He faced judges and magistrates and priests and proclaim with no fear, no hesitation that he knew Jesus, and that he is with that man from Nazarene. Here was a man vindicated. Here was a man redeemed. God has forgiven him. God has restored him. In the same way that God has restored Peter, God too will bring healing and cleansing and forgiveness to a heart that may have strayed but is longing to be restored. The whole point of the Resurrection is to tell us that a second chance is possible. Forgiveness is available. The power of sin and death is conquered, and life, eternal life is possible. Peter has experienced such grace, and he was a man changed.
Peter messed up big time, and he knew it. The last person you would expect with the group of Jesus' disciple was Peter. Of course there was Judas, but then again, both of them messed up. To his credit though, Peter went back to be with the other believers - perhaps to find comfort among the bereaved, perhaps to make sure that he was still welcome after his betrayal. Here was Peter - once proud, brash, impulsive and yet he felt the weight of his betrayal on his heart, and it hung heavy and painful. He shed bitter tears. He is now seeking redemption. And then the greatest news on earth was heard. Jesus was alive! He is risen from the dead! I could not imagine what Peter must have felt, but he had to see it for himself.
He ran to the tomb and saw it was empty. He only saw the wrappings. He went away marveling. And he must keenly felt his wrongdoing. I would have. The Master that he had denied was alive! And yet, in another gospel account, the angels were recounted to have said something so meaningful, something so uplifting about Peter that from that time on, Peter was a different man. In Mark, the angels declared "Jesus is risen; He is not here. Behold, here is the place where they laid Him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter!" It was as if God wanted to single him out and tell him, "it's all right, Peter, I have forgiven you."
Boldness and strength overtook Peter that soon after the resurrection, he faced a crowd of thousands to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. He faced judges and magistrates and priests and proclaim with no fear, no hesitation that he knew Jesus, and that he is with that man from Nazarene. Here was a man vindicated. Here was a man redeemed. God has forgiven him. God has restored him. In the same way that God has restored Peter, God too will bring healing and cleansing and forgiveness to a heart that may have strayed but is longing to be restored. The whole point of the Resurrection is to tell us that a second chance is possible. Forgiveness is available. The power of sin and death is conquered, and life, eternal life is possible. Peter has experienced such grace, and he was a man changed.
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