Easter
"But go, tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you." Mark 16:7 ESV
Did you catch it? If you’re not looking for it, it’s easy to miss. “But go, tell his disciples and Peter…” Almost as an afterthought, the angel throws in that little conjunctional phrase: “and Peter.” But, of course, with the Lord there are no afterthoughts. The Lord does everything with intention.
So why single out Peter among all the disciples? Why not, “and John” or “and Bartholomew” or “and Philip.” The answer is simple and yet profound: God loved Peter, and God wanted him to know it.
Sinful, stubborn, self-willed Peter. Who denied Jesus three times on the night of His betrayal. Who wept tears of bitter regret at his failure to faithfully follow His Savior. A dear disciple, who needed to hear personally, that the resurrection—the biggest, grandest, most significant thing to ever happen in human history—happened for him.
And do you know what else, my friends? It also happened for you. It’s simple, yet profound: God loves you too and He wants you to know it. Sinful, stubborn, self-willed you. How many sins are you carrying today? How many bitter tears have you wept over the troubles of this life? You need to hear this personally: Jesus didn’t just die and rise to save others; He did it to save you.
“For God so loved the world [and Peter and you] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) My friends, today you can drop your sin, guilt, and shame at the entrance of the empty tomb. He is Risen! You don’t have to carry that heavy burden anymore. He is Risen! Your sins are forgiven and you are declared not guilty, just like Peter. He is Risen! You too will one day rise to eternal life! You too are a dear disciple whom God singled out in love.
Jesus lives! And now is death
But the gate of life immortal;
This shall calm my trembling breath
When I pass its gloomy portal.
Faith shall cry, as fails each sense;
Jesus is my confidence!
Lutheran Service Book 490:5