Easter through the Eyes of Peter
Easter brings many to church, and as we all walk in this morning, we’ll see both new and familiar faces. People will offer a shallow greeting, not understanding the depth of your life, your journey, the perspective you bring to the table, the unique threads woven into your fabric, and where you uniquely stand at the moment.
And, some walking in to church may think that their current situation, their journey, their life doesn’t exactly lend itself to acceptance at church. These thoughts miss the point of Easter. The point is grace. Grace would not be needed if lives were perfect, if we didn’t all need it. In fact, grace is the great equalizer. Everyone needs it, and Easter gives us a fresh look at grace.
A great picture of grace is revealed through the eyes of Peter.
Simon was a fisherman, the sea his hunting ground. One day, as he was pulling his net in on the beach by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus approached him, looking deep into his eyes. The Bible uses the Greek word emblepo to describe the gaze. Emblepo means to “look upon” with a “close, penetrating ‘look.’” Jesus, being God himself, looked at Simon and knew all that would happen in his life. He knew that Simon would say that he was committed but turn his back on him at his darkest hour. He knew that Simon’s passion and tendencies to speak his mind would get him in trouble throughout his life. And he knew that Simon would never, could never, live a life without failure.
Yet, even knowing all of these shortcomings, Jesus didn’t condemn or pass Simon by to find someone who could better measure up. Not Jesus. Not him who was grace himself. Instead, at that moment, looking in his eyes, Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, meaning “rock.” At that moment, Jesus said that Peter would be a rock for his ministry, the church. Jesus overlooked the failures of Simon and welcomed the man Peter with open arms, giving him a life of immeasurable purpose, joy, and hope. In a moment, Peter’s life changed forever.
As Jesus foreknew, Peter’s final act toward him prior to his death was betrayal. As Jesus was getting brutally beaten and murdered, Peter refused to help. Worse, he pretended that he did not know him.
At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. Luke 22:61-62
In the courtyard, Peter’s eyes locked with the eyes of Jesus after he has been brutally beaten, on his way to the cross. Those same eyes that offered the penetrating look in the carefree moments on the beach a few years earlier were now locked with Peter in the darkest moment of his life. Peter couldn’t handle it and ran away crying. He would seemingly fail Jesus at the one time when he needed him most.
But, this was the way it was supposed to be. This was the entire reason that Jesus was headed to the cross. Grace for man’s shortcomings.
After the crucifixion of Jesus, when Mary went to the tomb early Sunday morning, the stone has been rolled away and there was an angel greeting her. Mary must have been startled beyond belief. She looked on in amazement. Jesus had risen! Everything he said was true!
Mark 16:7 captures the heart of Jesus. The angel turned to Mary and said, “Go, tell his disciples and Peter.” Go and tell Peter.
Peter! The one who had denied him and refused to acknowledge him. The one who was certainly hurting more than anyone else because he had turned his back on Jesus. The angel said to make sure Peter knew that Jesus had risen. Jesus cared for Peter and wanted him to know that everything was okay. It was as if Jesus was saying, “Forget about the sins, Peter. Just know that I have risen.”
This is Easter.
After receiving the news, Peter recklessly told others. As Jesus said in Luke 7:47, Peter had been forgiven much, so he loved Jesus much.
So, today, don’t let your past keep you from the cross. After all, this is the whole reason we celebrate Easter.
Thank God for a Christ who overlooks it all and clears our guilt. He who has been forgiven much loves Jesus much. This is the definition of grace. May it be true in your life as well.
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