Good old Pete!
Always good for a laugh, a story about the big one that got away.
Now, he’s the one who got away, or so it seemed back then.
Rugged Peter, so quick to flip you off or flap his gums, until he met Jesus and followed him hook, line and sinker, so to speak. One fisherman caught! But Peter was still Pete and sometimes he’d still do the unthinkable, none worse probably, than when he chickened out in that courtyard and said times three, “I never knew that guy!” But a few smelled something fishy about his disclaimer. And nobody knew better than Peter when he heard that rooster crow, he’d been caught again, this time by a lie. So he ducked and covered, then headed for the blackest part of night, somewhere where maybe , not even God could find him.
But that’s what gets me when I read his story in the Bible, it’s mine, too. Oh, I’m no fisherman but I’m a chicken sometimes and a liar. Who hasn’t said or done something and wept out a prayer, “Can I have a do-over for Christ’s sake?”
And into our blackest night, or our deepest pit where roosters still crow we hear above the din, the risen Christ patiently calling,”Anybody seen Peter?”
It’s Christ’s Easter voice. Hope showing up, like the prodigal’s father, running to meet us, liars and chicken-hearted . It’s Christ, for our sake, calling us by name, not calling us names we know we deserve.
Easter is God’s Great Do-Over.
It’s a day of second helpings for some and second chances for others.
You’d think, God being God and all would be more choosy.
But that’s the Gospel Truth and the reach of Grace and Mercy.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
“Anybody seen Peter?”
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Thanks Jan. I was just ready to yell “He is Risen” when you reminded me of why He died. I had to see my need before I was ready to appreciate His remedy. Your words about Peter highlighted the Peter in me – glad my parents did not name me Peter, but some of the DNA still is there.
So now, He is Risen!
Love, Dale
He is risen, indeed!
As for your name, I’m happy we share the same birth date…except for the year. Somebody had to go first.
Thank you Jan. I wait throughout the week for your thoughtful and Spirit inspired writings.
May the glory and grace of our risen Lord bring you a special sense of his unconditional love today.
Grace and Peace
Ray+
What a joyful surprise to see your name pop up, Ray. Thank you for reading and responding and for years for being one of God’s tenders of broken folks. There’s a Peter in all of us.
Thank you for these words, Jan. Too many times I’m afraid God must say “anyone seen Katherine?” But I am thankful for his tireless pursuit of a wretch like me. Love to you today and always
I hear Jesus call my name, too. We may be in hiding from the CronaVirus but no hiding place from the reach of God’s redeeming love. This is only possible because Christ IS risen. Indeed!