Including who?
Mark 16: 6 – 7
“I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here — he has been raised! Look, here is the place where they put him. Now go and give this message to his disciples, including Peter: ‘He is going to Galilee ahead of you; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”
One of the greatest verses in the Bible!
The women on Easter morning entered the Tomb, and in Mark’s account saw a young man sitting there. He simply tells them not to be alarmed, and passes on the message that they should go to Galilee.
That in itself is dramatic enough, but then comes the kicker (as they say) “including Peter”!
Peter who denied Jesus, not once or twice but thrice, who did so having been warned that he would do so, and yet he still did it. Peter must have felt the lowest of the low; remember how he ran from the Temple courtyard in tears when he heard the cock crow? Did he think it was too late, never again could he get right with Jesus?
Yet, here in the message from the young man was his salvation; ‘Tell all my disciples including Peter’ – Peter was still numbered among the disciples, no matter the denials, he was still beloved.
Great news for Peter and great news for us. We are forgiven and are included in his company, not because we deserve to be but because we are loved.
Prayer
Lord God, our loving Father in Heaven, we thank you that in your merciful love you forgive us and you accept us with all our faults. We know we shall slip again, but we have the assurance you will catch us and lift us again, and again, and again. Thank you for your mercy.
In your Mercy hear our prayer,
Amen