The Disciple Peter - Former Memories Kindled – Part 4 Of 4 Series

THE DISCIPLE PETER - FORMER MEMORIES KINDLED – PART 4 OF 4

SERIES - THE CHARACTERS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

John 20 v 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb, John 20:2 and so she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

I find it very comforting that Peter and John are there together. Peter had failed Jesus and John saw it being played out, but there was no rejection or ill-feeling of a hurting brother like we find in some places today when a Christian stumbles, and is treated like a mangy dog. Support for our brothers and sisters is essential and even Paul speaks of this - Gal. 6 v 1 Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Gal. 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. Gal. 6:3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Thinking you are something when you are nothing is a spiritual pride that splits churches. Have nothing to do with it.

Dear devoted Mary Magdalene made her way to the tomb while it was still dark just to be near the body of her blessed Lord. She owed Him so much, and now her Lord was gone, and as far as Mary was concerned, this tragedy had taken her Lord forever from her. Horror of horrors, the tomb had been opened and someone had stolen the body of Jesus. That added tragedy to tragedy.

John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciple, and they were going to the tomb John 20:4 and the two were running together, and the other disciple ran ahead faster than Peter and came to the tomb first. John 20:5 Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. John 20:6 Simon Peter therefore also came, following him, and entered the tomb and he beheld the linen wrappings lying there, John 20:7 and the face cloth which had been on His head, not lying with the linen wrappings, but rolled up in a place by itself. John 20:8 The other disciple who had first come to the tomb entered then also and he saw and believed, John 20:9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead.

Upon that news from Mary, Peter and John, with all haste, ran to the tomb, and John being younger, got there first. (John it is supposed was 18 or a little older). Both men looked inside and saw all the linen wrappings lovingly applied by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, but lying there with the face cloth neatly folded. They entered the tomb, saw it all and believed. BUT what did they believe in verse 8? They believed what Mary had said, not that Jesus had risen. They did not understand that the Lord must rise from the dead. It was not even on their horizon. They believed someone had taken the body.

There is a very important statement we must look at. Only Luke records it with a passing reference by Paul. Luke 24 v 32 and they (the 2 on the Emmaus Road) said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, when He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:33 They arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, Luke 24:34 saying, “The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon.” Luke 24:35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognised by them in the breaking of the bread, Luke 24:36 and while they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst.

1Corinthians 15:4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1Cor 15:5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

Do you see verse 34? It is so important. It is SO very important. Not one word of detail of that one-on-One meeting with Peter is hinted at anywhere. Just the Lord and Peter, just the two of them in the closest, personal connection. I believe we will never know what transpired, but we could guess at a couple of things. Peter was broken with sorrow but the Lord was so loving and compassionate and forgiving. Peter was restored. Praise God. Peter was restored just like any of us can be in failure. That must have happened very early on Sunday morning, and the Emmaus incident was late that afternoon.