Harold Sherman wrote a book, “How to Turn Failure into Success.” In it, he offers a “Code of Persistence,” listing eight principles for success. These principles may be helpful in some of life’s challenges. The problem I see in them, however, is what happens if you cannot get beyond the first one— # 1: “I will never give up so long as I know I am right.” What happens when you know you are not right? What happens when your sense of personal failure overwhelms you to the point that you cannot move forward? What would this code mean to Peter in light of the events of Good Friday? 

Have you ever wondered what it was like for Peter waking up on that Saturday following the crucifixion? Hours earlier he had been so self-assured, so confident, never believing that he could do such a thing: “Peter declared, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you’” (Matthew 26:35). 

 Then hours later, he would deny His best friend, his Master, not once but three times. How could he get out of his mind that moment when the eyes of Jesus and his met in the judgment hall? 

 “Peter replied, ‘Man, I don’t know what your’re talking about!’ Just as he was speaking the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:60-62). 

 How does one stop the tears? Jesus had warned him. He was too full of himself to listen. Now, how does he undo the damage done? Jesus lies in a grave, dead. What is Peter to do with his guilt? Then comes the news: 

 “But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you’” (Mark 16:7). 

The women report that they have seen Jesus. He is alive! He wants to meet with the disciples. Is this good news for Peter and the rest? Or does it add to their terror and fear? If the news is true, how will they face the One they have betrayed and denied? 

 Two words, however, offer comfort and hope: “. . . and Peter.” “Tell His disciples and Peter.” In those two words, the angel of God is signaling Peter that he is loved. The message of the empty tomb is nothing less than that of forgiveness. 

God does not want our sins of the past or our lack of loyalty and love toward Him to keep us distant from Him. “Tell His disciples and Peter.” The compassion and gentle grace of those words are not only for Peter, they are for you and me. Take a pencil and write your name just beneath Peter’s in that verse in your Bible. If you are troubled by past sins or if your heart has wept and wept and nothing undoes the wrong and failure of the past, write your name just below Peter’s. Not all the tears we cry or the good intentions we offer will bridge the gap that our sins have created between us and Jesus. The Good News, however, is that they don’t have to. He bridges that gap. Through His death and resurrection, our sins have been paid for in full. 

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Helping people live life with Jesus everyday,

Rev. Dr. Brent L Parrish