Three times
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I hope you had a good Easter Weekend? Mine began with Good Friday Reflections, at our church, were we focused on the difficult events leading to the death of Jesus.
That was followed by a quiet Saturday, where I managed to fit in a 10 mile run! I sometimes wonder what Jesus’ followers were feeling on that Sabbath day?
Then we had a wonderful Easter ‘resurrection’ Sunday. The room was jam-packed as we celebrated, ‘Jesus is Alive!’ That was followed by a delicious roast with the family, and I even got an Easter egg!
Apart from Jesus, there is another Biblical character in the Easter narrative, that I love to follow, and that is Peter.
This disciple, a close personal friend of Jesus, was passionate and often spoke before he thought.
When Jesus predicted his death, Peter boldly claimed that he was willing to die with him. However, Jesus told him that he would actually deny that he knew Jesus, not once but three times. This sadly came true, and I think Peter must have been a broken man watching Jesus die.
After Jesus had been resurrected he met his disciples on the beach. Over breakfast, Jesus spoke tenderly to Peter and asked him three times if he loved him…
“Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’”
This is significant as Peter had denied that he knew Jesus three times, and post-resurrection Jesus asked three times if he loved him.
Peter said yes three times. Each one of those denials were now ‘cancelled’ by saying yes to Jesus. I wonder if this was deep healing for Peter?
After that, Peter never looked back, growing in faith and confidence, becoming a major leader in the early church!
I find this attention to detail profound. Jesus knew that Peter would deny him, but he also saw the man he would become after this resurrection encounter.
Just like Peter, Jesus knows what we are like, but he also can see what we can be, when we encounter him!
God bless you:)
Gary Bastin
Hope Community Church leader