It was the Saturday after Good Friday and the morning sun came through the sliver of my curtain, as I lay there I thought about what the disciples, the crowds that followed Jesus and His family were thinking. I know that when I have just gone through a huge disappointment, betrayal or life-altering experience I wake up feeling out of sorts, wondering if what just happened really happened.

I remember the morning after my mom passed, I woke up in my parent’s house, it was familiar and the sun was shining. I think I might have smiled then like a ton of bricks the weight of the grief settled over me. I wept as I remembered yesterday and how life was never going to be the same again.

I imagine that’s how the disciples must have felt. Some thought they would be free from Roman rule. Some experienced a belonging that they never knew existed. Some had been healed and given a re-do on life. Mary lost her son. Then I thought about Peter.

Peter, who walked on water with Jesus; fed thousands of people; who saw Him heal and laugh and dance. Perhaps Peter woke up a little disoriented until, he too felt the weight of the grief of what happened. The garden. The soldiers. The denials. At that moment did he remember that Jesus said He would return? Did Peter have hope or did he think he was stuck with the worst day of his life?

“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly. “ Luke 22:61-62

The day after the dumpster-fire; the day after everything goes side-ways is the worst. All the confusion, frustration, doubt, what if’s and why’s.

Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to change the narrative of his worst day.

There have been too many of those days in my life. As I lay there, I remembered all the ways Jesus has been there with me through each fire. How He walked me through it, stood beside me and fought for me when I had nothing left.

I’m thankful for Peter and this part of his story, although I bet he wishes it never happened. I can relate to that.

Carrying around guilt and shame weigh us down and distracts us from the freedom Jesus offers us.

Just like Peter, we are given the opportunity to change the narrative…flip the script…be given a new life and new purpose.

When Mary and the girls came running to tell them Jesus was not in the grave, did Peter panic? Did he remember what Jesus said? Was he afraid to see Him, afraid of His rejection? Maybe he pushed his way to the front and ran in because of his desperation. I can relate to that too.

“So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb…” John 20:3-6a

Isn’t it beautiful how Jesus takes the time to be with Peter and walk him through his failure and turn it into a success? I can relate to that too.

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?’ ‘Yes Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’ Again Jesus said, ‘Simon son of John, do you truly love me?’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Take care of my sheep.’ The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”

Peter denied Jesus three times and three times Jesus gave Peter the chance to redeem that moment. To change the shame to purpose.

I am again overwhelmed by the power of the Resurrection. Even in our worst moments, Jesus brings new life and forgiveness to us. Peter had to wait three days, we don’t. We can go anytime and anywhere to talk to Jesus.

“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Ephesians 3:12

How amazing and how gracious. May you know that power today and if it’s your “day after” …or week, month, year after… may you know that Jesus is there to change the narrative for you in a real and personal way.

Have an amazing day, oh bold and confident one! You are loved!

All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo

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