Happy Monday!
The day after Easter brings us a simple word-of-the-week…
AND
Most of us read some version of this passage over the weekend.
“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 16:6-7)
I’ve likely read the account a hundred times without noticing it. The “and.” Read it again.
“…tell his disciples and Peter…”
Peter was one of the disciples, so why the and? I think they all knew, and the angel knew they knew. Knew that Peter had denied Jesus, not once but three times! I think they wondered if denying Jesus in that terrible moment was too much. I think they wondered if Peter was still welcomed by Jesus, and the angel knew they wondered.
The angel left no doubt. Peter was still on the team.
Peter messed up pretty badly. Not only was he not kicked out, he got a special invitation. God’s angel made sure everyone knew grace and forgiveness were still part of the deal.
That’s good news for you and me.
It’s Monday. He’s risen. He’s going ahead. We’ve got an engraved invitation. Let’s follow.
Have a great week!