RisenSample

The Great Comeback

The resurrection of Jesus on that first Easter is the greatest comeback story in history. The hope He brings you can allow you to come back as well—from fear, despair, and defeat.

In the Book of Mark, we learn that because of the resurrection, defeat is not the end. You can come back from defeat. This is the miracle of Easter.

The apostle Peter may have been able to identify with that story. Peter failed and fell hard. Peter’s the one who flexed his spiritual muscles and said to Jesus, “Hey, look, the other disciples, they’re wimps, but You can count on me. I’ve got Your back, I’ll be there for You.” However, Peter wasn’t there for Him. Peter denied Jesus not once, not twice, but three times. Then he swore. Then a little girl scared him. So, he ran away, leaving Jesus and going back to his former way of living just when Jesus needed him most. A couple of days later Peter heard, “Jesus is alive.” If you’re Peter, is this really good news or really bad news? You can imagine the other disciples telling Peter, “You’re toast now!”

But don’t most of us occasionally wonder the same thing? If Christ is alive and if I show up at church, am I going to find forgiveness or are they going to condemn me? Am I going to be accepted or am I going to be rejected? Do I have a future or is God done with me and ready to discard me?

Two of the most encouraging words are tucked into the Gospel of Mark—see Mark 16:7. Most people miss this. The angel is announcing that Jesus is alive and wants to meet with the disciples. The angel says, “Go, tell his disciples.” And then the next two words the angel says are, “and Peter.” Isn’t that awesome? Essentially the angel is saying, “Make sure you tell Peter that Jesus still loves him. Make sure you tell Peter that Jesus wants to meet with him. Make sure you tell Peter he’s got a future. Make sure you tell Peter that he still matters.”

Here’s what Mark is saying: Christ’s resurrection means your past, no matter what it is, is not unforgiveable. You cannot walk so far away from God that He cannot reach you.

Just look at Peter and Clavius in the movie Risen.

And what he did for Peter, He’s ready to do for you. He shows up in your life not to condemn you, but to wrap His arms around you. That’s what Peter discovered and that’s what you can discover and experience from God today. You can bounce back from defeat.