First Sightings
“The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Luke 24:34
We all know the story of Peter, at first walking on the Sea of Galilee to Jesus, but then sinking like a stone when he saw the wind and waves. We know that Jesus rescued him then, but did you know that Jesus did the same thing for Peter a second time? This time, though, Jesus rescued Peter from the sea of despair.
It was the night before Jesus’ death when Peter boasted that even if everyone else were to abandon Jesus, he never would. In spite of Jesus’ warning, that same night Peter denied his Lord three times. When the rooster crowed, and Jesus solemnly looked at him, Peter went outside and wept bitterly. He was spiritually defeated, and then had to face the fact of Jesus’ cruel death on the cross. As the sun was rising on Easter Sunday morning, no doubt Peter was sinking fast into a black night of despair.
Miraculously, Peter once again felt the firm grip of Jesus’ power and love when the risen Lord appeared to him personally, soon after He appeared to Mary Magdalene. We have no record of the words which were spoken; we only know that Jesus “…appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15:5) We do know that, following Jesus’ resurrection, Peter was assured that Jesus had never abandoned him, but had lifted him up to forgiveness, peace, triumph, and joy.
When we look honestly at the many ways we have failed Jesus in our lives, we sometimes feel the weight of our own guilt and hypocrisy dragging us down into the sea of despair. It is then that we feel the firm grip of our risen Lord, as He gives to us the same assurance, “Yes, you failed me, but I did not fail you. Yes, you abandoned me, but I have sought you out. Rise with me to life eternal!”
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile,
And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee.
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
The Lutheran Hymnal 552:5