A crazed looking rogue draws his sword. Since when did he have a… the question dies as his blade lashes out. A servant screams. An ear falls to the ground. Something is very wrong. A lone man holds trembling soldiers at bay. Is that triumph in his eyes? Or, is it terror? Whatever emotion, it is replaced by shock and grief as he hears a sharp voice that calls him to stand down. We make our arrest, deposit the prisoner and try to forget the dread that consumed us at the confirmation of our target.
“I am he.” That’s what he said. Why did those words fill us with such frightful awe?
The rogue, Simon Peter, knew why. The man who spoke those words was and is the Messiah. Peter had risked his life for him. Whether he was desperate to save his master or triumphant at the start of rebellion, he put his future on the line. But, Jesus called him off. So, Peter followed him to the doors of a courtyard.
And, during that walk, the rogue became docile. A sense of preservation filled him and Peter rejected his Messiah. Three times, he hid his connection to Christ. He knew God, and he denied God. Then the rooster crowed, and the rogue wept.
All but one disciple fled as Jesus was crucified. They left him. Christ died and his disciples were tormented. They grieved and some hated themselves because they were cowards, they had done nothing as Jesus bled on a cross. Their spirit broke. And, they were lost.
But, the Messiah returned from the grave. He found broken people who welcomed him with joy and praise and thanksgiving. He told the disciples to make disciples. And to Peter, “feed my sheep… follow me.” Jesus forgave them, and uplifted them. Just, as he has done for us.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” - John 3:17