And Peter
But go, tell his disciples and Peter…
What do you mean?
Are you sure you heard him correctly? This guy in the white robe. He said, “Go tell the disciples and Peter?”
I am a disciple.
I am the head disciple.
Jesus said it himself. Remember?
He said, “You are Peter; on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
Tell the disciples and Peter?! Who does this guy think he is in his shiny white robe?
I AM PETER!
I am Peter.
I. Am. Peter.
I am a disciple.
Or, I was a disciple.
Not anymore.
I denied him.
I had my chance.
Three different times, I could have stood up for him… stood with him when he needed me the most. But I didn’t.
I’m a coward.
I left him alone to suffer and die.
I might as well have joined the angry mob on Friday shouting, “Crucify!”
I didn’t want this to happen.
Why did this happen?
Am I still the rock?
No, I’m more like an annoying pebble stuck in Jesus’ sandal.
Tell the disciples and Peter.
Tell the disciples and Peter.
Tell the disciples and PETER!
He wants me to know too?
He wants me to know, too.
He wants me to know!
The tomb is empty, and Jesus wants me to know!
Does he want to rub it in my face?
“Ha ha! Told you so! I bet you wish you had stuck with me!”
No. That doesn’t sound like Jesus.
That was a terrible impression.
He doesn’t sound anything like that!
Jesus would never say something like that.
He wanted me to know!
He wanted me to know!!!!
He is risen and, even though I let him down…
Even though I let everyone down…
Jesus wants ME to know!
Jesus wants me to come and see him in Galilee.
Jesus wants me to come and see him, along with everyone else!
Maybe Jesus hasn’t given up on me!
Maybe Jesus hasn’t written me off or forgotten me.
Maybe he’s forgiven me!!
Maybe he still wants me to be part of everything he’s done… everything he’s doing!!
Tell the disciples AND PETER!
That’s me! I’m Peter! I’M PETER!
I’m Peter.
He is Jesus!
HE IS JESUS!
He is Jesus, and he is risen!
THE TOMB IS EMPTY!
CHRIST IS RISEN!
Christ is risen, indeed. HALLELUJAH!