He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 1 Corinthians 15:4-5
Yesterday we looked at how fearful the disciples were not only after Jesus’ beating, scourging and death but after He rose and showed Himself to them. We also saw how He stayed with them on this earth for 40 days to reassure and encourage them to get used to seeing Him through the Word once He would leave and go back to heaven.
Today we’re going to also see how He also helped them overcome doubt. Especially Peter. The other disciples had doubt, but their doubt was; could they believe what they were seeing and hearing? Which the longer they were with Jesus, the more they realized the answer was yes, which helped them turn their fears and doubts into trust. But then there was Peter, his doubt was much more deep. Although in a different way, he betrayed Jesus just as much as Judas did. Jesus had to reassure him even more than others.
Peter not only denied Jesus three times, but when Jesus told him he would, he even denied that. Have you ever been where Peter was? You know feeling you left Jesus down. You know what His word says, what is best for you, but you just find yourself doing the opposite. Then you begin to believe that God is angry with you. That everytime something bad happens, it’s just payback for not obeying. And the list goes on. But just like Peter, before it even happened, Jesus reassured Him.
He told him he was going to pray for his faith not to fail. Not that Peter wouldn’t deny Him, but that he would continue to have faith in Jesus and His love for him. Which would lead him to repentance (a change of mind) and be restored, to help restore others. Although I’m sure Peter held on to those words and replayed them over and over, he still felt guilty about what he did. And more he wondered if Jesus really would keep His word. Peter had doubts, but Jesus proved to him, He not only forgave him, but restored their relationship that would be stronger than before.
No matter what you have done, or what destructive sin seems to hold you captive, Jesus’ love is more powerful. He prays for you just like He did for Peter. And He has forgiven and restored you too. Now it’s up to you to choose to remove your doubts and unbelief and trust Him when He says you’re sins are not held against you anymore, past, present and future. Take the example of Peter, receive His forgiveness and be ready to step out into a new life empowered by Holy Spirit through the love of God.
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