Mark 15-16

Recently while driving down the road, an interesting conversation was taking place in the back of our car. The discussion covered many topics but I especially tuned in when I heard the kids talking about heaven. Our son Walker stated that there are bad guys whose sins are too bad for them to be in heaven. Before I could jump into the conversation, his older sister Josie informed him that Jesus died on the cross for all of our sins and said, "Walker, even if you STOLE... from a MUSEUM... Jesus could forgive you, he died for that."

While reading the scriture for today, one particular verse stood out to me.

Mark 16:7 "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.'"

...and Peter...

The Peter who followed Jesus for three years. The same Peter who witnessed Jesus feed thousands and thousands, drive out demons and heal the sick. The same Peter who witnessed all of this but still lacked faith in Matthew 14 and could not stay awake at Gethsemane in Mark 14. The same Peter who in Mark 14:66-72 disowns and denies Jesus.

Yes, Peter failed many times and he failed Jesus big time, but his sin and failure did not separate him from the love of Jesus. Throughout the gospels I empathize with Peter's failures and have sympathy for him because of his last interaction with Jesus before he died on the cross.

 If I were Peter and recieved the message from the women who were at the tomb, that my name was mentioned specifically, I would be in complete awe of God's amazing grace! The grace extended to Peter is also extended to you and me.... and even someone who stole from a museum.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

~Meredith Hostetter