Mark 16:5 – 7 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ “
I suppose, for this passage, we should focus on the fact that Jesus is risen. Or perhaps we should spend time discussing the angel’s presence, or the women’s reaction.
But I’m not going to do that. There is one little piece of this passage that stands out to me. And the more I think of it, the more overwhelmed I become.
The angel said, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter.”
Why would he list Peter seperately? Wasn’t he a disciple?
Then again, think about what Peter had done. He had denied Christ. He had told everyone who questioned him that he most certainly was not a disciple of Christ.
More than likely, Peter wasn’t the most popular disciple at the moment. He was probably off, by himself, feeling like a rotten heel, feeling like he could never be redeemed.
Peter’s loyalty to Christ had failed.
But Christ’s love for Peter did not fail.
The angel spoke at His Lord’s command. Jesus wanted the disciples to know that He had risen. Even Peter. Even after what Peter had done to Him.
By specifying, “Tell the disciples – even Peter,” the angel made sure that Peter was drawn back into the group. That was the way Jesus wanted it. After all, hadn’t Jesus said that Peter would be the rock on which the church was built?
He was right. From there, Peter became perhaps the most zealous, most loyal follower of Christ. He spent the rest of his days building the church.
Friends, I’ve denied Christ. Maybe not with my words, but certainly with my actions. I’ve not always stood tall, proudly claiming to be a follower of Christ.
I have failed Him. Yet, His love never fails me. He forgives, and He draws me back to Himself.
That kind of love overwhelms me.
Dear Jesus, Thank You for never giving up on me.
Amen
Great insight Renae…I have never even given that phrase “and Peter” a second thought…It is very reassuring that our God is inclusive – not exclusive, full of mercy, and never overlooking even the smallest detail to our well-being…
Thanks for sharing!
~mp:)
Hi MistiPearl! That is a perfect word for God – inclusive! He doesn’t include our sin, of course, but His love includes all people – no matter what we’ve done, no matter how popular we are, no matter what.
I just went to post a comment and I got a weird message about cookies or something and my whole paragraph disappeared… Never had that happen before! O well, it wasn’t meant to be so I just say “Hi”…
So sorry that happened, Barb! I’m sure it was eloquent. Great to see you here, as always! 🙂