Oh, Peter!
by Milton Eckermann
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He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself (John 20:6b,7).
Read John 20:1–18 or Luke 24:1–12
Brash, robust, loyal, strong, impetuous – traits one can see in Peter’s life as a fisherman and disciple of Jesus. When he first met Jesus, Peter must have seen him talking to the crowd while cleaning his nets. He was willing to have Jesus in his boat and launch further into the water, and then at Jesus’ suggestion, he tried fishing again with great reward. Then when asked to leave it all and follow Jesus, off Peter went.
During his time as Jesus’ disciple, he was always ready to do his bit and spoke up very quickly in response to revelations from Jesus, even to the point of being willing to die for him. He even took admonishment from Jesus and remained loyal – until he was challenged by people after Jesus’ arrest and denied knowing Jesus three times. Oh, Peter! However, he then went and wept bitterly.
We next hear that he and the other disciples went into hiding until the woman gone early Sunday morning to take care of Jesus’ body came back to them and said they had taken his body. Peter and John went to the tomb. Peter, being slower, got there second but went straight into the tomb. Later, when they were fishing, Peter saw Jesus and jumped out of the boat into the water and, again, was challenged to follow Jesus.
Our lives may cause us to have guilt that we think is unforgivable. But there is comfort from Peter’s life – that even though his denial of Jesus was so great, he could turn back to God, who welcomed him back for further service. In fact, Jesus never left him.
God, I am sorry for ever having walked away from you. Thank you for never leaving me. Amen.
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