Daily EncouragementNäide

“ . . . and Peter,” It is hard to imagine what these two words must have meant to Peter. Possibly he wept again when he heard them, but ultimately they caused the drying of his tears.

“ . . . and Peter,” He was not forgotten. Had his name not been mentioned, it would have been easy for him to think he was. How natural it would have been for the Lord to forget him as soon as possible. And yet - “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you” (Isa. 49:15).

“ . . . and Peter,” He was not forsaken. He was not crossed off the apostlic list, as he surely deserved to be. Did he remember some ancient promises? “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5). “Fear not . . . I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isa. 43:2).

“ . . . and Peter,” He would be forgiven. The words confirmed the willingness to forgive which Peter had seen in the eyes of Jesus when he had turned and looked on him. Doubtless forgiveness was given and received when the Lord appeared to him (1 Cor. 15:5), and then there was the new commissioning by the lakeside (John 21:1 ff).

You can find encouragement here, even if your name is not Peter!