The Passion: Tell His Disciples and Peter
Study The Word
Mark 16:6–7
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
There are moments in scripture that reveal the heart of God in such a tender, such a personal, such an intimate way that they just stop you in your tracks. And Mark’s account of the resurrection contains one of those moments. The angel tells the women at the tomb: “Go your way, tell his disciples and Peter.” Tell his disciples and Peter. How touching. He didn’t just say, “Tell his disciples.” He said, “Tell his disciples and Peter.” He singled Peter out. He named Peter specifically. Why? The angel was instructed by the Lord Jesus Christ to make sure that Peter knows. Hallelujah!
αποκαθίστημι apokathistemi restored – to restore to a former condition, to reestablish, to bring back to the original state
Ok, so why did Jesus single out Peter? Because Peter had denied Him. Three times. Remember when Jesus was standing behind Peter, and Peter didn’t know that Jesus was in the vicinity? And Peter was cursing, saying, “I do not know this man! I have nothing to do with this man!” The bible says Peter was swearing and cursing, but he didn’t know that Jesus was close by hearing and seeing everything. And then Peter looked up behind him and saw Jesus, and Jesus was standing there in chains looking right at him. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. He was broken. Peter was shattered. He was consumed with guilt and shame. He had failed the Lord in the most terrible way. He had denied the one he loved, the one he had promised to die for.
And Peter probably felt that he was disqualified in that moment. After what he had done, how could the Lord accept him? How could the Lord still want him? He felt unworthy after this incident. How could he be a part of the celebrations of the resurrection after such an embarrassingand shameful denial of Jesus? He probably didn’t feel worthy to be among the disciples anymore. Peter quit that day. Imagine, Peter quit. But Jesus knew. Jesus knew what Peter was going through. And that is why He specifically told the angel: “Tell my disciples and Peter.” Make sure Peter knows that I am risen. Make sure Peter knows that I still want him. Jesus instructed the angel to make sure Peter knows that he is still a part of this.
αγάπη agape love – unconditional love, God-kind love, giving and forgiving, unchanging and eternal
Remember, Jesus had already told Peter before this. He said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired that he might sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not. And when you are restored, strengthen your brethren.” Wow, Jesus said “WHEN you are restored”. Not if. But “when”. Jesus already knew the denial was coming. He already knew Peter would fail. And He already planned for the restoration. He prayed for Peter before the failure even happened. And now, after the resurrection, the very first thing Jesus does is make sure Peter gets the message: “I’m alive. And I still want you. Come, I want to see you. You’re still a part of the plan.”
στηρίζω sterizo strengthen – to make firm, to establish, to confirm, to set fast; to strengthen one’s faith after weakness
How many of you have thought that you disappointed God? That you let God down? Did you know that He already knows and He already knew when you’re or were going to stumble, when you’re or were going to make that mistake, when you’re or were going to feel unworthy, when you’re or were going to quit and say “I am not worthy to be a part of God’s plans anymore”. He has always known about all the mistakes you’d make. Look at Peter. What happened with you is probably not as bad as what happened with Peter. Peter denied Jesus Christ to His face. And yet Jesus specifically sought him out after the resurrection. Jesus still wanted Peter. Jesus still had a plan for Peter. And Jesus still has a plan for you. Our Lord is a God of restoration. If He restored Peter He will restore you. You are still qualified to serve Him. You are still a part of His plans. No failure is final with Jesus. No denial is permanent. No mistake disqualifies you from His love and His plans and purposes. Wow, what a love. Oh how merciful the Lord is. How the Lord loves us. The angel said “tell His disciples and Peter”.
That is the love, compassion and heart that our Lord Jesus Christ has toward you! Never forget it.
Pray The Word
Heavenly Father, I thank You that Jesus specifically sought out Peter after the resurrection, and that He specifically seeks me out in my failures and my weaknesses. I thank You that no mistake disqualifies me from Your love and Your purpose. I receive Your love and restoration today, and I rise from my failure into Your plan for my life, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Speak The Word
Jesus knows my name, just as He knew Peter’s name. My failures do not disqualify me from His love or His plan. He prayed for me before I even failed. He planned my restoration before I even fell. I am restored. I am qualified. I am still a part of His purpose. I rise from every failure and every denial into the fullness of what God has called me to do, in the name of Jesus Christ!