After Christ’s Resurrection

After Christ’s Resurrection

On Easter Sunday, we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. He is risen, indeed! Although this glorious event is our main focus, and what our faith and hope are built on, other events took place after Christ’s resurrection which I believe are helpful to remember. One event in particular is Christ’s conversation with Peter as they walked along the Sea of Galilee.

Following Christ’s Death

Immediately following Christ’s death, Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Salome followed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to Joseph’s unused tomb. The men placed Christ’s body inside. Then they rolled a huge stone across the entrance. Matthew 27:61

Now that the women knew where Jesus’ body was placed, they went to the market. There they purchased burial spices in preparation to anoint their Lord’s body on the first day of the week. Mark 16:1

Sunday Morning

Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they (the women) went to the tomb. On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.

When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Mark 16:2-6 NLT

“Don’t be alarmed.”

Really?

The women find an empty tomb with the stone already rolled away, and an angel tells them not to be alarmed?

Interestingly, this angel knew the women weren’t looking for some random person. He knew they looked for Jesus of Nazareth, the One who was crucified. Then the angel added the most important detail. “He isn’t here. He is risen from the dead!

Don’t be alarmed, indeed.

Tell the Disciples Including Peter

The women were the first to receive the news of Christ’s resurrection. Next, it was time for the disciples to also hear the Good News. Jesus was risen from the dead!

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.”

The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened. Mark 16:7-8 NLT

The women did as they were instructed by the angel, but the disciples didn’t believe them.

Remember when the angel told the women to go tell the disciples, including Peter, that Christ was risen from the dead?

I love the fact Peter was included in this wonderful news. Especially after he denied knowing Jesus three times the night Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested by Roman soldiers and the Temple guard. John 18:25-26

Breakfast by the Sea

In Chapter 21 of John’s gospel, John tells us Jesus appeared to his disciples at the Sea of Galilee just as Jesus told them he would.

According to John, this is how it happened.

Jesus waited for the disciples on the shore beside the Lake of Galilee as the men fished. What was Jesus doing while he waited? The Resurrected Savior, King of kings and Lord of lords, was bent over an open fire, preparing a breakfast of fish for those he loved.

We may remember this as the scene where Jesus pointedly asked Peter three times if he loved him. Each time Peter answered that he did. To which Jesus told Peter to feed Christ’s sheep.

When Jesus met the disciples on the seashore, he called Peter Simon. John 21:12-17

Do you think when Peter heard Jesus call him Simon, it was similar to the feeling we get when our parents call us by our first and middle names? Maybe.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, meaning the rock, shortly after Peter became one of Christ’s disciples. However, as they talked by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus wanted Peter to understand that in addition to his strong side, he also had a vulnerable side. Just like the rest of the disciples and just like us.

Peter felt confident he would never forsake Christ. He even told Jesus he was willing to die for him during the Passover Meal in the Upper Room. Luke 22:31-34

Jesus knew differently.

Satan took Simon Peter’s confidence and manipulated it into self-pride. That prideful spirit influenced Peter. It had a part in Peter caring more about himself and what others thought than about Jesus.

If we aren’t careful, like Peter, our strengths can turn into weaknesses. Satan works to take advantage of our weaknesses. He targets our vulnerabilities in an attempt to weaken our testimony about Christ the Resurrected Savior.

No Condemnation

Something I appreciate about Jesus’ conversation with Peter on the seashore, is that we don’t see Jesus condemning Peter. Jesus heard each time Peter denied knowing him. John 18:25-27

Still, there was no resentment in Jesus’ words when he asked Peter if he loved him. There was no bitterness. No unforgiving spirit. Just unconditional love.

What we see is Jesus lovingly burying Peter’s unfaithfulness under Christ’s merciful forgiveness.

He does the same for each of us. Christ’s forgiveness knows no bounds or limits. He can forgive even the things we might think are unforgivable, if we sincerely come to him in repentance.

The Story Isn’t Over

Peter’s story didn’t end with his denial of knowing Jesus. Nor did it end after Jesus told Peter to feed Christ’s sheep as they stood beside the Sea of Galilee.

Fifty days after Jesus told Peter to feed his sheep, Peter preached a sermon about the resurrected Christ. After Peter preached, thirty thousand people confessed Jesus is Lord.

Your Turn

Like Peter, there are times we fail. We deny we ever knew Jesus through our careless words and actions. Yet, Jesus knows the outcome before Satan even draws back his bow and sends fiery darts in our direction.

Also, like Peter, when we fall we have a choice. Jesus told Peter when you turn back, not if you turn back. I think that’s important to remember.

So, what can we take away from Simon Peter’s story after Christ’s resurrection?

I think there are several things to consider.

Will we let our failure define us, give up, and walk away? Or will we acknowledge our fall, get back up, repent, and when we turn back, strengthen those around us?

Who knows? But one thing is sure. Whatever we do after we fall is just as important as what we did before we fell.

If you’re interested in reading another post about Christ’s resurrection, you might like Twelve Lessons We Can Learn From Two Marys.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Photos courtesy Pixabay.