“Tell His Disciples And Peter” (Ready to Worship S9E3)

On this season of Ready to Worship we are examining the empty tomb. I am convinced that spending time there will enrich our worship and our walk.

In this study, we are going to go with the women to the tomb. However, we aren’t going to stay there long. We are going to quickly leave with a message for the disciples and Peter. Matthew records, “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you” (Mk. 16:1-7). I love the words, “Tell his disciples and Peter.” Why didn’t the angel just tell the women to go and tell the disciples? After all, Peter was one of the disciples. Why did the angel single Peter out by name? Was it because Peter was the favorite disciple? I don’t think so. Granted, along with James and John, Peter seems to have been a part of an inner circle. As you know, he was with Jesús when others were not. Yet, I know, and you know, that the Lord did not love him more. There is no respect of persons with Jesus (Jam. 2:1). He loves each of us as if there was only one of us. Did the angel call Peter by name because he was going to be the chief speaker just a few days from now on Pentecost (Mt. 16:19; Acts 2:14)? I don’t think so. As you know, all of the apostles spoke on Pentecost. God could have used any of them. Don’t forget, God once used a donkey! Why did the angel call Peter by name then? The Bible does not specifically tell us. However, I would like to suggest a possible reason. Peter was deeply discouraged. Seemingly, more than any other disciple, he had declared his dedication to the Lord. He didn’t think he would run, but he did (Mt. 26:33). He didn’t think he would deny, but he did. Not once, not twice, but three times he cursed and swore that He didn’t know Jesús (Mt. 26:69-75). Peter heard the reproving rooster crow. His cowardly eyes met the Lord’s (Lk. 22:61). Peter wept bitterly. For the next few days, he would not be so bold to profess his love for the Lord (John 21:15-17). In fact, it would take three heart probing questions from the Lord to restore Him. Even then, He would simply submit to the Lord’s knowledge. He was still unsure of himself. I believe that the angel singled Peter out because he needed the message of the resurrection more than anyone. Discouraged disciples need to know that the tomb is empty. They need to know that the story doesn’t end at the grave.

Perhaps, you are discouraged. If so, God has a message for you. The message is simple, but powerful. Jesus is risen! The tomb is empty! As we get ready to worship this week, let’s remember this message.