Starting Over
“And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”
Luke 24:33-34 NLT
It had been the worst few days in the Apostle Peter’s life. He had boasted on the night of the betrayal that he would follow Jesus to the death, if necessary.
“But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” (John 13:37 NLT)
We are never more confident of our strength than in the hour when we are to collapse. So it was with Peter. His great love for Jesus made him overconfident about how courageous he was.
In the Garden, while the Master prayed in agony, Peter slept with the rest. Jesus had asked them to keep watch and pray. Instead they were seduced by sleep.
“Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?“ (Mark 14:37 NLT)
When the soldiers came to arrest the Lord, he had clumsily swung his sword and clipped off the ear of an official’s servant. That act could have cost him his life, except that Jesus intervened and healed the man.
Then, when the end appeared to be upon them, he ran as fast as any of the other eleven to escape. There was no thought of safety for the Master now. All Peter could think of was saving his own life.
Yet Peter did shadow the parade back to the city, and to the house of the high priest. He tried to see how the tragedy would unwind. Such was his love, that it stemmed the flood of fear, and allowed him to do this much.
“Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and went right into the high priest’s courtyard. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.“ (Mark 14:54 NLT)
What is so beautiful about our Beloved Lord’s restoration of Peter, is the fact that He made a personal invitation to Peter specifically to meet Him in Galilee. Then Jesus met one on One with Peter to reestablish the relationship on a more sure footing.
“Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” (Mark 16:7 NLT)
It was a new beginning for Peter, and all the disciples understood very well how fully Peter was back into the best of relationships with Jesus.
I believe we are allowed to see the complete collapse of Peter in order to see the beauty of our Lord’s restorative work with one who (though a failure) still loves Jesus.
If you’re in Peter’s place, look again to the majestic and overcoming love of our Beloved Saviour, and come back to Him today to make a new beginning.
“And Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees.“ William Cowper