Nougat 23

What do we do when we or others fall out of grace? Consider today’s Holy Nougat

“But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to the Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’”” Mark‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭TLV‬‬

Go tell his disciples … AND Peter? Was Peter barred from disciple-ness? Did he not get forgiveness from God for denying Christ? Could there be some other explanation?

I propose yes.

Given that Peter’s denial was exceedingly public, HE might have felt guilty about his abandonment of Jesus. Further, the opportunity never came for Peter to be ‘reinstated’ after his wrong. There was no proof that he had been pardoned for his iniquity.

(For if we remember/the facts – Peter denied Jesus DURING the Trial; and Jesus was sentenced and crucified in quick succession afterward – there was no room for absolution at the time.)

By sending the message via Mary to Peter AND the others, there was no room for doubt that he was forgiven and reinstated to the fellowship.

Two further thoughts –

1. How do we treat with those who fall out of faith in our communities? What do we oblige them to do – Jesus’ message ought to be our blueprint; yet we often add layers upon layers of protocols (especially when the ‘sinner’ was/is pregnant!) Is it time to review our constitutions?
2. 2. And now, let’s take the more personal application. What do we do when we are reinstated to abundance? Do we receive the healing balm of God’s forgiveness, or are we too busy castigating ourselves like Judas did? And having received Jesus’ reinstatement to the fellowship, will we keep that grace to ourselves; or share with others?

… And Peter – thanking Jesus for that blessed assurance.

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May all we seek be found in Christ