And Peter

11.4.2009

Mark 16.7a 7a “But go, tell His disciples and Peter…” (NASB)

The crucifixion and resurrection have taken place and some of the women who followed Jesus go to the tomb to embalm Christ’s body. When they get there, an angel reports to them that Jesus is no longer there and gives them instructions to go tell His disciples and Peter what has happened. Notice that Peter is mentioned separately; Peter, I’m gathering is off by himself somewhere beating himself to death over his last recorded act before the crucifixion: pathetic personal and public denial of what and in Who he believed.

What do we do when we’re caught in a sin? Often (I think…I know I do), we try to hide and I think that’s what Peter was doing and why he’s mentioned separately, “…His disciples and Peter…” Peter was struggling enormously with what had happened and what he thought he believed; and now it was all messed up like a bunch of eggs that had been dropped to the ground – goo, shells, and yoke.

Indeed, sin is a separator but that is never God’s intention for us – sin or separation. We must cling to God in our fallenness and cling to one another as well. Paul teaches we must bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6.2) and “…forgive and comfort [the sinner], otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” (2 Cor. 2.7 NASB) But nowhere in the Bible are we taught to run off and hide when we sin. (That just might explain some absences from church and home group though…)

I’m to not sin; but when I do, I’m to deal with it and deal with it openly in the company of the saints, not in hiding. We need each other more than we know and we really need each other when we’ve pooped our pants and need cleansing and restoration – but that requires extreme courage, vulnerability, and great, great patience and love only supplied by Jesus Christ to collectively overcome an individual’s fault.

Father in Heaven,

You always intend for us to walk in holiness, righteousness, and compassionate, understanding forgiveness. That doesn’t erase consequences but it does leave the door wide open for cleansing and restoration. Help me to be one who loves my brother in spite of his sins and may I be loved in spite of mine that we both may bring glory to Your name by how we treat each other in times of great mess and distress – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.