After the resurrection, when Jesus and Peter met again , it was an awkward moment. What do you say to a friend who has betrayed you on the worst day of both of your lives?”
The scene is perfect for a full accounting, a literal “come to Jesus,” complete confession, remorse. It’s a perfect opportunity for some hard-nosed truth-telling. It is, instead, a moment of pure grace, unconditional love and acceptance. Jesus does not want Peter’s guilt.
Who hasn’t denied and betrayed and disappointed? Who hasn’t at some point along the way failed to live up to the hopes and expectations of others or yourself? Who hasn’t failed to love and forgive and be generous and think of something and someone other than yourself? Large or small, terrible or trivial, you can carry that load around all your life until it wears you down, paralyzes you. But you don’t have to. You can literally come to Jesus and lay it all down at his feet.
Jesus can handle everything Peter has done or failed to do, including his shameful, cowardly betrayal. All Jesus wants is Peter’s love, Peter’s heart.
Dr. Willy L Mafuta Pastor,
Hopewell United Methodist Church, Hopewell, NJ 08525