Thursday, February 14, 2013

Thursday Thought -- February 14, 2013


Good Morning Friends,

“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  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.”’”  (Mark 16:2-7)

Jesus wanted Peter back.

Peter had denied the Lord.  He hadn’t done it just once, but three times.  When he denied Him the third time, he cursed and swore that he did not know Jesus.  Peter played the coward that night, just like Jesus had warned him that he would.  And when Peter realized what he had done, he wept bitterly.  He was ashamed.

Peter was at an important crossroad in his life.  He could come back to Jesus and throw himself on Jesus’ mercy.  Or, he could let his shame get the best of him and turn his back on Jesus thinking Jesus would never be able to forgive him.

And Jesus knew Peter was at that crossroad.  And Jesus wanted Peter back.  Jesus wanted the chance to see Peter again.  Jesus wanted the chance to let Peter know he was forgiven and that God still wanted to use him in His kingdom.

So, one of the first messages of the angel who announced Jesus’ resurrection was this instruction, “Tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.’”  Jesus wanted to be sure that Peter would be there.  Jesus wanted Peter to know that He wanted to see him.  Jesus wanted Peter back!

Jesus hasn’t changed in the 2,000 years since then.  He still wants people back.  Those who sin, those who fail Him – He always wants them back!

His, by Grace,

Steve

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