And Peter

As a kid, Easter was always my favorite holiday. I think much of this was due to seeing a different side of my dad. This was his favorite holiday and it was evident to all. The morning would start with the stereo cranked as loud as it could go and the song “Easter Song” by Keith Green playing. After hearing several rounds of this song, our family would eat breakfast and then it was time for the egg hunt.

Egg hunt is too simple of a term for what this really was. This was egg hunt 2.0, extreme sports edition. This event was not for children or the weak. My dad, along with varying adult helpers, would hide 10 dozen eggs along with our baskets in a large arboretum in our city. The only rule, at least part of the basket must still be visible, everything else was fair game.

Most families wear their cutest formal attire on Easter. Not my family. We put on our grubby play clothes; we meant business. One year, my basket was at the top of a tall tree. Another year, my basket was buried with only a few inches of the handle visible. Everyone still talks about the year my cousin’s basket was in the middle of a stream on top of a pile of rocks. He had to find a long tree branch in order to retrieve it. Our baskets were covered with saran wrap and rubber banded tight to keep our goodies safe during these missions.

It’s no wonder this was my favorite holiday as a kid. Who needs presents when there is an adventure to be had?

As an adult, Easter continues to be one of my favorite times of the year, but for different reasons. Now that I have a family of my own, we have continued the tradition of playing the “Easter Song” and having the extreme egg hunt, but we have also added new traditions like attending church together. Another thing that is consistent each year is as a family we read the story of the resurrection in the Bible. Since there so many Gospel accounts of this event, we tend to rotate around each year. When it is my turn to pick a Gospel to read, I always choose Mark. The reason for my selection is two simple words, “and Peter.”

Only the Gospel of Mark contains these two beautiful words that to me, hold the meaning of the resurrection. Most people are aware that the resurrection paved the way for us to be with God by Jesus paying the price for all past, present, and future sins. However, the message of the cross is also personal and intimate. On the day of the resurrection three women went to Jesus’ tomb and found it empty, and an angel spoke to them. He said, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 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 16:6-7 ESV).

Did you catch it? Look closely or you’ll miss it. “Tell his disciples and Peter.” Every time I read the Gospel story I know those two words are coming but each time they hit me anew and tears fill my eyes. They impact me so strongly because I know what came before these words and what comes after.

Peter had just done the thing he thought impossible; he denied Christ three times (Mark 14:66-72). We do not see him present at the crucifixion. The first time we hear Peter’s name after his denial is in these words from the angel. In all the other times that Peter’s name is listed with the disciples, his name is always first (Mt 26:37, Mk 3:16, Jn 21:2, Acts 2:14). It is listed first not because he was the most important, but he was the leader and most likely the oldest. However, in Mark 16:7, Peter’s name is still listed but now it is last.

It is hard to imagine the state that Peter must have been in. Not only had his Lord been crucified, but Peter had failed to be the leader that so much of his confidence and identity was founded on. He was likely filled with shame, devastation, and remorse. It is in this fragile state that the angel says to the women, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter.” During the most significant time in our world’s history, God showed Himself to be personal and intimate. God alone knew what Peter was feeling, and He met Peter in the midst of his despair. God was not finished with him, in fact, Peter’s journey was just beginning.

Jesus would go on to appear to the disciples over the next several weeks. Before Jesus’ ascension into heaven, He would restore Peter to a place of leadership and again call him to a life of ministry (John 21). From that moment on, Peter was a changed man. He was still a leader, but he was no longer motivated by his human desires but rather for the will of God. He no longer relied on his own strength, but he led others by the power of the Holy Spirit. This enabled him to at last live out the devotion that he first so boldly proclaimed.

The resurrection had an impact on all of humanity but also on the individual. Sometimes when we focus on the big picture of this event, we can overlook the personal nature. Yes, Jesus came to pay the price for sin, but He also came so He could be with you, Beloved! No matter what condition you are currently in, you are not outside the reach of God’s forgiveness and notice. He sees You. The great news of the Gospel is for all of us.

And Peter.

And Jenny.

And you.

The beautiful story of the resurrection is that God sees us in our moment of need and He meets us where we are at. His invitation is personal and intimate, and His plans for us are great. That is most certainly an adventure worth celebrating!