A Meeting with Jesus

Did you know that Simeon Peter received a private meeting with Jesus after the Resurrection? Probably not, it was only mentioned in the Bible twice, and both times occurred after fact. There is no actual time, place, or dialog recorded, but Luke 24:33-34 says,

                And they rose up in the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the
                eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, the Lord is
                risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simeon.

The meeting is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:5, but all that is said is that Jesus was seen by Cephas (one of Peter’s names) and then of the twelve. Peter got a private time with Jesus that was so personal that the details could only be shared by the two friends. I love that. It makes me laugh and cry and want to just keep keeping on. Did you know that Peter was Jesus’ best friend? That through all of the really amazing things Jesus did, Peter was right there with Him? When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet, Peter was the first to get clean. When Jesus walked on water, Peter jumped out of the boat into the waves and walked too. I would give away everything just to be Peter for 5 whole seconds.

But, this was a bad time for Peter. He had just watched someone he would call a friend betray his best friend. He watched as soldiers led Jesus away, and he followed close behind. Peter lost his very best friend, the one who was closer to him than a brother to an angry bloodthirsty crowd. He knew the things that happened. Peter knew that Jesus was beaten beyond recognition, that He was mocked, that He was spit upon, and finally hung on a cross to die. Peter knew all that, and it made his heart break in ways that I can’t even imagine mine being able to break. And if that overwhelming grief was not enough, Peter has more on his shoulders to bear. You see, Peter did exactly what Jesus said he would do. He denied his best friend three whole times before the rooster crowed twice.

I imagine that Peter was his worst critic about that. He denied knowing the one man that meant the world to him. He denied Jesus. I don’t know anyone who under the same circumstances would have done any differently, after all Peter was only a man. But I’m sure that he beat himself over it, and now Jesus was dead, and there was no way to apologize. I’m sure he repeated the thoughts of how pathetic and worthless he was to himself over and over as he sat at home. And I can imagine that’s where we would have found him on this particular day. Here’s what I think happened.

Peter is sitting in a chair at his home, and he is staring hopelessly at nothing. I’m sure he was repeating over and over how weak he was, how pathetic, how worthless. I’ll even bet that he wondered what it was that Jesus ever saw in him. And suddenly, midthought Jesus appears in the room. It’s just the two of them alone, staring at each other. I can see the surprise on Peter’s face, as his mind begins to race a million miles a minute. Should he run and embrace Jesus? Yes, he decides standing to his feet, but what if he is mad at me for denying him? Peter hesitates. Maybe if he bowed before his feet.

Jesus extended His hands, but perhaps Peter couldn’t look into Jesus’ eyes. Perhaps the only thing he could focus on is the way the floor looked through the holes in Jesus’ work worn hands. I believe Peter stopped breathing as Jesus took a step towards him. The regret and sadness was causing Peter’s brain to overheat. What should he do? Each step Jesus took made Peter feel guiltier. Soon enough, Peter was overwhelmed by guilt and emotions and begins to tremble in tears in front of a resurrected Jesus.

“I… I’m… I’m so sorry.” Peter cried out as he wept.

Jesus paused in front of Peter and spoke in a calm voice. “I know.”

Then the Carpenter of Nazareth embraced the fisherman of Galilee, and held His best friend as he cried. I believe that was all it took to turn Peter’s bitter end into a fresh, beautiful beginning.

I believe that we can have that too. Whether you think about it like this or not, if you are saved, you are in a relationship with the Lord God Almighty, and His Holy Son is your Best Friend. He wants to see the most inner parts of your heart, the parts that are scarred over and broken. He wants to see the most intimate parts of your soul, and He wants to love those very parts that the rest of the world may hate. He wants to embrace you and wrap His arms of love around you. Your relationship with Jesus will by far be the most intimate and happy relationship that you will ever experience. He loves you with a love that could crumble mountains and dry up the oceans. Run to Him, embrace Him, and go into the best relationship you will ever get to have on this earth.

In His Arms.
Emily.