Reference: Matthew 28:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18

When we read these scriptures, the common substance of the four gospels is clearly about the women who went to the tomb from where Jesus resurrected. The four Gospels are similar, but there are minor differences in each verse. For example, it is common that they saw an angel, but it is expressed in Mark as ‘a youth’, in Luke and in John as ‘two angels’, and in Matthew the number is not mentioned clearly, only he was described as ‘His face shone like lightening; his garments were white as snow.’ Such minor differences prove that people who witnessed the extraordinary scene were mentally excited.

About the time, in Mark it was ‘when the Sabbath was over’ (v.1), ‘very early on the Sunday morning’ (v.2), or ‘just after sunrise’ (v.2) so that we do not know exact time it happened. In Matthew, it was ‘the Sabbath was over, and it was about daybreak on Sunday’ (v.1) Summing up four Gospels, it was when sun was rising on Sunday morning. The issue of resurrection is beyond discussion in this short article, and let us accepts it as described in Gospel and considers the relationship between resurrected Jesus and his disciples and Peter (v.7)

What angel said in verse seven can be interpreted in two different meanings. First, ‘give this message to His disciples and Peter’ does not specifically directed to Peter but mentioned Peter as the representative of disciples or as a beloved one; the emphasis is on ‘His disciples’. Second, it was specifically directed to Peter, because there was a need to do that; then what was the need?

It is not necessary to discuss that all 12 disciples were chosen specially. But, John son of Zebedee and Simon Peter were noticeably beloved by Christ Jesus; when Jesus revived the daughter of Jairus, the president of one of the synagogues, Peter, James, and John were allowed to accompany Him (Mark ch.5); Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and they saw how He was transfigured, His clothes becoming dazzling white as snow (Mark ch.9); Jesus took Peter, James, and John to Gethsemane to pray for His final victory. (Mark 14:33); Judas, being bribed, sold his teacher Jesus to the enemies who arrested and took Jesus to the High Priest, Peter and John followed Jesus to High Priest’s court yard. (John 18:15) Like this, Peter and John were especially beloved and trusted, and they also loved Him passionately, so it is understandable that they were exceptionally disappointed and buried under deep sadness, when Jesus was crucified on the cross.
In addition, Peter confessed his sound determination toward Jesus after the Last Supper; Peter answered, “Everyone else may fall away, but I will not.” But he insisted and repeated: “Even if I must die with you, I will never disown you.” (Mark 14:29, 31) Peter revealed his true heart, as well as expressing the long cherished desire of other disciples. (Mark 14:31) As a Christian, who does not hold Peter in high esteem, who has spoken for the sincere devotion of all Christians for two thousand years till now? However, it is resentful thing that Jesus’ prophesy became realized so soon! First of all, when Jesus was facing the greatest crisis of his life while he was praying on the Gethsemane; his sweat was like clots of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44), he could not stay awake for just one hour and he fell to sleep as his animal instinct drove him; he had to listen to what Jesus said in sympathy, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)

Second, Peter said he did not know Jesus three times at the High Priest’s courtyard. It will be the most effective reading method to substitute Peter with your name.
(1) Meanwhile Peter was still below in the courtyard. One of the High Priest’s serving-maids came by and saw him there warming himself. She looked into his face and said, “You were there too, with this man from Nazareth, this Jesus.” But he denied it: “I know nothing,” he said; “I do not understand what you mean.” Then he went outside into the porch and the cock crew.
(2) And the maid saw him there again and began to say to the bystanders, “He is one of them”, and again he denied it.
(3) Again, a little later, the bystanders said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them. You must be; you are a Galilean.” At this he broke out into curses, and with an oath he said, “I do not know this man you speak of.” Then the cock crew a second time; and Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he burst into tears. (Mark 14:66-72) The word ‘burst into tears’ in original text has very strong meaning, but it is not expressed in the translation. Original meaning of ‘kia epibalon eklaien’ is ‘cry out, throwing down body on the ground’ or ‘burst into tears, covering one’s head with hands’. I will help you imagine Peter at that time, if you combine these meanings with Luke 22:62, “And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Discovering what had happened to him as a result of his deeds, ‘A lie once told was persisted in, and he quickly went from bad to worse’, pitiful Peter trembled for the first time. He was angry and repentant for what had done; oh, would he feel pleasant if he gnashed his teeth and bit off his tongue? Would he go crazy to pull out his hair and to cut own bones and sinews? He could only wail at the top of his voice, screaming “Let the sky collapse, let the ground fly away!” Any individual, race or generation who can inadvertently read through the verse, ‘Peter remembered it and wept bitterly’, should appreciate the favorable conditions they are facing. But, only ones, who understand things by grace, will understand how Peter’s wailing signifies important meaning. If the significance of John the Baptist, who was the greatest man among those born of women, was to testify that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, representing all human beings, it is deplorable that Peter’s denials, three times in a row, represent all human beings too, including myself.

If Luther had supposedly submitted at the Worms Conference, human beings would have heard ‘Peter’s wailing’, a roaring sound from the son of a miner once more. Are you not trembling just imagining how the world history would look like after that time? Luther is great, but Peter is regrettable and painful. Peter fell into despair and sorrow after Jesus was crucified like John and other disciples, and, based on our daily experience, we can easily imagine that he was probably thinking about leaving Lord, realizing that he lost his face to see Him again after denying Him three times due to his cowardice and faithlessness. When Simon Peter caught such a large number of fish that their net began to break, he fell at Jesus’ knee and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8) When the first man Adam ate the forbidden fruit, the man and his wife hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But, the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Both Peter and Adam had similar mentality for the same cause.

In such situation, God does, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities;” (Psalm 103:10) Lord Jesus forgave us ‘seventy times seven’ (Matt. 18:22), and Lord appeared to Simon after He had risen (Luke 24:34) to comfort him and to encourage him, because it is inferred that God needed him. (1Corinthian4-5) Besides, Jesus asked three times to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” Peter answered three times, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Trusting Peter afresh, Jesus entrusted him three times, “Feed my sheep, and take care of my sheep.”

However, as ‘Peter’s wailing’ was the wailing of all human beings including me, I should realize that I am blessed like Peter was, and thank everything and envy Peter. This is the reality of the Gospel.

(Message: We have iniquities and weakness as natural beings, but if we regret sinful things we commit, and wail in repentance like Peter did, Jesus Christ will forgive us and entrust us to do good deeds for His will, including blessing and grace, while we live in this world. We need our commitment to obey Him and live as He taught us.)