His Grace is for You

Mark 16:1-8
1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Whenever I read these well-worn passages, I never know what thoughts might arise during mediation. As I read about this incredible event – the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the grave – well, many things rolled through my mind. First of all – there were several witnesses to Jesus' death but no one was there to see His miraculous resurrection. I can only hope God shot some video of that event so that we can see it on playback after Jesus returns to take us to heaven because – wow!

But what stands out for me the most today is “But go, tell His disciples and Peter”. The angel specifically mentions the name of Peter when instructing the women to go and tell. As we know, Peter had suffered a terrible personal defeat when he denied even knowing Jesus the night of the trials. But in His resurrection, Jesus makes sure that Peter is mentioned. John writes of Peter’s restoration quite specifically and in that passage, we find God’s remarkable forgiveness granted to Peter.

John 21:15–19
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”

The Skit Guys wrote and produced a short drama about that restoration, which I want you to watch as a part of your devotional time. It’s well worth your 5 minutes to take it in and think about God’s grace, extended to Peter in a most personal way.
We too are the recipients of that same grace for we too have all denied Christ in one way or another. In His resurrection, while Jesus may not have mentioned your name specifically, He extends that same grace to you. “Go and tell His disciples and ________________________ “. Stick your name in there. You have been told of His all-encompassing grace and love that was / is for you – personally and specifically. You are loved and restored.

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