Message of the Cross

Easter was two weeks ago and there is a post I thought of writing but never did, it took a while for me to find some time to reflect, but here it is. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the disciples, mainly Peter. One thing that stood out to me is this, Peter while claiming to never leave Jesus did, and not only that cursed himself and those around him for even suggesting he knew Jesus. Peter had highs and lows in his journey with Jesus and this was plain rock bottom for him. One thing that stood out to me was this, Peter basically becomes the “exhibit A” for the Gospel. Peter had his up and down moments, but on the night of the Last Supper where he deserted Jesus he basically hit rock bottom. But then the amazing thing happens, though he denied Jesus, Jesus refused to deny him, in the most perfect image of forgiveness Jesus reinstates Peter. While it was painful for Peter at first to see his error before him (Jesus asks him if he loves Him three times, an echo of Peter’s denials) Jesus is essentially giving Peter a second chance, a chance to say three times “Yes! I love Jesus” instead of “Who!? Get away from me I don’t know the man!” Thus Jesus erases Peter’s wrongs and transforms him from a follower into a leader. That’s what I love about the Gospel, that no matter who are or what you’ve done God will never let you go. Peter did a pretty bad thing, but Jesus gave him a do-over and forgave Him, how much more He can do in our own lives. On the same note I can’t help but think about Judas; after seeing Jesus arrested Judas hung himself, in agony over what he did. The thing is that Judas understood the world, he understood money, payment, debt, but he didn’t get grace. He saw grace but it never sunk through, and sadly when he could have had it he refused. While rabbits and egg hunts are fun and all, let’s not forget the reason for Easter, the cross and resurrection. It is the risen Jesus, the Jesus that conquered death and sin that we worship, it is because of His sacrifice for us that we don’t need to live in sin, that we, like Peter, can be reinstated and prepared for an amazing life for Him.