The Easter Story through the eyes of Peter

If this story was a Hollywood movie, it would be listed under the category: Fantasy.

After all, bringing the dead back to life, walking on water and turning water into wine, just doesn’t really happen, or does it?

Jesus picked Peter out of obscurity and raised him to be a key leader in his team of twelve. For 3 years Peter learned and experienced all the ways of his teacher and master. And during this time, Peter recognised that Jesus was not only human, but divine.

During the time that Peter and Jesus were together, Peter was courageous but sometimes he thought he was braver than he really was.

One day Peter was talking to Jesus and Peter boldly stated that he would not only go to prison for Jesus, but that he would die for him! That’s how much Peter thought he loved Jesus!

These were very bold words indeed, but Jesus knew what was inside Peter, and that Peter didn’t really love him as much as he said. Jesus even said that before the rooster crows, Peter would show that he was just a chicken!

Later that day Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus. They took him away while Peter followed. It was cold and a crowd gathered around a fire while Jesus was locked in chains nearby. Peter joined the crowd getting warm by the fire.

When a little girl saw Peter, she said, “Aren’t you a friend of Jesus”?

Peter said, “No” because he was afraid he would be beaten up with Jesus.

Then another person said to Peter, “Aren’t you Jesus’ friend”?

Peter said “No” to him.

Then another person said the same thing and Peter lied to him as well.

As soon as he did this, a rooster had crowed, and Peter looked up to see Jesus staring at him! What Jesus said came true! Peter was not brave enough to go to prison or die for Jesus. Peter didn’t love Jesus as much as he thought he did.

Peter was heartbroken! He couldn’t believe that he had betrayed his very dear friend. Soon after that soldiers took Jesus away and killed him on a cross. Peter was very sad, in Jesus’ darkest moment, Peter had let him down.

But then 3 days later something wonderful happened! Jesus came back to life and he wanted his friends to know he was alive, especially Peter. What mercy Jesus gives to Peter!

When Peter heard Jesus was alive, he couldn’t believe it. He ran to the tomb and it was true, Jesus was not laying down dead, but alive! Jesus appeared to his friends and had a very special job for them to do-to tell the world how he beat death!

Then a few days later when Peter was fishing in his boat, Jesus was on the shore telling them the best spot to catch fish. Peter was so excited to see Jesus again, that he didn’t wait to row ashore but jumped into the water with all his clothes on!

Jesus knew that he and Peter needed to talk. The last conversation they had was Peter boasting about how much he loved Jesus, which was clearly not true.

After having some breakfast, Jesus asked whether Peter loved him. This time Peter said what he knew was in his heart. He liked Jesus. Jesus asked him again whether Peter loved him, and Peter said he only liked him.

The third time Jesus asked whether Peter liked him, and Peter said “Yes, I do like you”.

You see Peter had lied three times the week before, not only to other people but also to himself. He was so sad that he did this, he didn’t want to make the same mistake.

So now he didn’t lie to himself or to Jesus. And Jesus was so happy that he asked Peter to continue working for him.

You know what? Peter went on to become an amazing friend of Jesus. The mercy Jesus invested in Peter made him into a very brave man. Over the years, Peter went to prison for Jesus, and even ended up dying for him!

So Peter ended up loving Jesus after all!

Oh the mercy of Jesus. If we come to him and humbly admit our need of him and our mistakes, he will forgive and restore us. And there is no greater salve for the human heart than to be offered mercy when we really don’t deserve it.

In these difficult times, let’s be like Peter; don’t wait until the boat docks, just jump on in, the waters fine!

God bless Vetti x