Scripture:
Mark 16:7
7 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.
Observation:
It looks like Peter needed some special one on one help. Now why would Peter's name be specifically mention as being included in the group of disciples? God obviously saw Peter as part of the team, but apparently, Peter did not. Peter was possibly feeling pretty guilty about the denying Christ three times in one night - just 3 days ago.It was probably eating him up from the inside to the point he was doubting his position with Christ.
Application:
Ever been there, in that place where the blow as a biggie? Here pretty much is the point. Jesus knew Peter was a disciple. The early church, no, the baby church, still saw him as a disciple [vs 8]. Jesus, it would seem, at times forgives us more than we do ourselves.
Look at the pivotal point in history this could be. Peter is not the Peter we knew. His doubt and guilt separate him from the early church. He does not give his speech at the day of Pentecost, he does not have his dream about some of the regulations based around the law and he is not around to be "the rock" Jesus said he would be. All very important stuff.
What a point and example of forgiveness and what that can do with lives, our lives. That forgiveness is always there and sometimes we need to be reminded of it. Our enemy wants us separated from forgiveness because he knows the potential and power in faith with forgiveness. Let us not forget so we to can live out the path Christ has put before us. Let us never take our eyes off Jesus, even when we really blow it.
Prayer:
Since we are forgiven, I need to forgive and help release that freedom and power forgiveness releases in all the lives around me.