What a blessed weekend our family had this weekend as we rounded out the kids’ spring break with Easter weekend, a visit from the in-laws, and a birthday. Remembering what God did for us by sending His son to die on the cross for our sins is more than I can imagine as a mother. What my Lord did for me and what He bore for me on the cross is also almost beyond comprehension. As we watched several videos and read the Easter story, I was also drawn, as I always am, to my favorite disciple, Peter.
When I read the bible, I have to remind myself sometimes that I am not reading a book where God made up the happenings to teach us a spiritual lesson of some kind. These are real people who sin and worship and mess up and misunderstand. It is in the reaction, forgiveness, or grace God gives that we gain great glimpses of who God truly is.
Peter is my favorite, because I see myself in Him. He is real and human. He is the one who asks God to call Him out on the water, but them begins to have doubts and starts to sink. He is the one who thinks so highly of Christ that he tells Christ during the Last Supper that Christ cannot wash his feet. Christ says if He doesn’t wash Peter’s feet that Peter has no part with Him. Peter replies, “Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” (John 13:5-9) He is the one who cuts off the guard’s ear when the mob comes to capture Christ to take Him away. He is one who goes to watch as Christ is put on trial in the middle of the night when the other disciples flee.
I see in Peter great love for Christ. I see great devotion and faith. I see a willingness to go to the end for His Lord. As we know though, Peter denies Christ three times out of fear of man. I assume he is worried he will be killed too or whipped or ridiculed. He then goes out and weeps bitterly. I feel bad for Peter, and I am sure he was so ashamed.
What I love even better is when Christ rose from the dead, the angel tells the women at the empty tomb to go tell the disciples and Peter (Mark 16:7). I love this! Peter is the only disciple the angel calls by name. I am no bible scholar, but what I see in the scripture is maybe Peter didn’t see himself or count himself as worthy to be a disciple anymore because of his denial of Christ. Christ them restores Peter by having Peter tell Jesus he loves him three times (John 21:15-19).
I love my Lord and am devoted to Him. In my heart, I believe I would do anything He called me to do. How often though do I fall on my face or think how could I have fallen for that same weakness in my life again. How wonderful it is to know that Christ forgives. I can just hear him say to me after I mess up for the one hundredth time, “Go and tell all of the Christians – even Andrea.”
How grateful I am for such a loving, grace filled God that I serve who would give his only son to die in my place so I can live with Him forever. Even me and even Peter and even you. Glory be to God!