The Man in the Middle
Scripture:
“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” (Mark 16:7 NIV).
Observation:
Easter Sunday, Pastor Julius highlighted a phrase in Scripture that stuck with me: “and Peter.” Just like Peter, many of us have, at one point or another, denied Christ. Whether we’ve outright denounced Him, rejected Him, or ignored Him—we’ve done exactly what Peter did in that moment. Yet even in that, Christ Jesus never forgot Peter. Jesus had just been resurrected, and in His first words to Mary and the women, He remembered Peter.
Can you imagine the guilt Peter felt at being remembered by Christ after just denying Him three times? Through the lashes Jesus received, the humiliation He endured, and the grief He bore on behalf of you and me, He was still mindful of us—and of Peter. Denied three times, yet the King still recalled His child by name and loved him boundlessly. These moments are but a glimpse of the depth of Christ’s love for us, merely scratching the surface of the intentionality possessed by the Man in the middle. “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT).
The shame Peter felt in that moment was simultaneously washed away by the innocent blood poured out at the cross. Indisputably, the love of Christ for you, for me, and for Peter is immeasurable. I implore you to remember that just as Jesus called for Peter not to be forgotten, He has not forgotten you. You are still called, still loved, still remembered. Jesus has, will, and forevermore shall come for the one lost sheep of the flock—the one that wandered off, ultimately rejecting the great Shepherd.
Application:
There are two options presented here: you are either drifting closer to God or further from Him. Make no mistake—no movement toward a God who is always moving forward becomes backward movement by default. In this moment, let us not resort to flattery of self, but rather be honest about where we are in our faith and understanding of Him.
Spend some time with the Lord today. Seek His face, and ask Him to search your heart, motives, and reactions to reveal your inward condition. When He does, submit to the process of purification.
“But I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind”(Jeremiah 17:10 NLT).
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross for me. Thank You for the lashes endured, the grief set upon Him, and the never ending grace and love towards me—I do not deserve it. I pray for my heart to be turned toward You, I pray I do not move backwards but pursue You with the endurance You have given me to run this race. May I not forget what Jesus has done for me—what He endured in my place. I pray for boldness in my spirit, that I would speak the truth in love to those around me. May I stand firm in Your Word and in the faith You have given me to be Your righteous image bearer to those around me. Lord, You are worthy, and I thank you. In Jesus’ Name—Amen.