John 20:1-10 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
 
THE Lord is risen! The burial cloths have no use. Is not this exactly what Jesus told them would happen? It is. But they still didn’t understand “he must rise from the dead”. So Peter and John looked around. Then they went back to their homes.  
    It is easy to wonder about this. What did they do when they went home? Why didn’t they go tell the other disciples or go tell the good news to the Jerusalem crowds. There were thousands who seven days earlier had praised, “Hosanna. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”? Wouldn’t  they want to know He is risen?
    The faithful, redeemed Mary Magdalene had come to tell them. She didn’t go home when she saw the empty tomb. Mary still doesn’t go home as noted in the next reading. Why did two of Jesus’ inner circle go home?
    Were they still afraid of the authorities? Was it impossible even for these two who had seen so many miracles, for Peter who had walked on water, to believe the crucified one is alive? These two had even seen Jesus in his heavenly form talking with Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration (Mark 9). In their human view of Jesus, these men who had experienced so much of Jesus could not comprehend the resurrection.
    Jesus had come out of the grave. Now he needed to get his disciples out of the house. In the hours and days to come, they would witness the truth and the power of Jesus’ resurrection. This truth would set them free to boldly preach, “Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed…12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10, 12)
    It was time to get out of the house to follow the risen Jesus. John, Peter and  the other disciples had to overcome debilitating fear. He would show them how.  
 
Resurrection Truth: Full faith builds Jesus’ church: Matthew 16:18 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

John 19:38-40 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

THIS is the third time John brings Nicodemus into the gospel account. Joseph is mentioned once in each gospel. He and Nicodemus were two Pharisee’s who wanted to learn from Jesus. Perhaps Jesus of Nazareth is the true Messiah!
    Nicodemus’ questions to Jesus in John 3 led to two of Jesus’ most quoted truths: John 3:3 “No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.” and John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”
    Nicodemus had gone to Jesus because the Spirit had stirred a spark of faith in him and others: John 3:2b “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”  Now what did Nicodemus believe as he prepared to bury the body of the one who had come from God. Do you think he remembered Jesus’ promise of new life?
 
John 3:4 “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
    Then again Nicodemus asked, “How can this be?” (John 3:9) Jesus responded with the essence of faith, “I am telling you the truth.” (John 3:11)
    From that day on Nicodemus must have struggled with the truth. He must have studied the Law further. Perhaps he read the prophets again and began to understand the Truth was in Israel.
    What was on Joseph’s and Nicodemus’ minds as they prepared the Teacher’s body for burial? Were they, as so many of Jesus’ followers, disappointed and doubting the truth now? Had they lost hope?
    Or did Nicodemus and Joseph anticipate resurrection? Were they wondering about being born again? Was there, somewhere in their minds, hearts and souls an understanding that something new and wonderful was about to happen? Did a light flicker? Did the power of their encounter with Jesus help them to keep their faith in the Teacher’s words?
    Jesus has more to offer than we can see. Jesus has taught us to be faithful. The light of his life flames into eternal truth far beyond our questions and even far beyond death. Nicodemus and Joseph are about to learn much more about the one who has come from God. 
 
Resurrection Truth: Stay with Jesus when it seems the broken cannot be repaired.    
 

John 19:31-37 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,”  37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

THE Jewish authorities’ cruelty is too horrible to understand. These men were not used to condemning people to die. Jesus’ truth had stirred a deep hatred in their heart against God’s Son. These murderous leaders convicted Jesus in a sham trial. They forced Pilate, the Roman governor, to crucify Jesus. Their jealous eyes watched the Teacher scourged, and they delighted in his crucifixion. Now to be sure Jesus is dead they instruct the centurions to break his legs.
    In a great irony, this final insult is to preserve the sanctity of the Sabbath. Then they could “religiously” celebrate the Passover within the Laws of Moses. Did they ever think they were killing the Living Word, the One who authored and fulfilled the law, the one who made the law perfect by his love?
    That day the Jews’ rulers displayed the hypocrisy of their position. Entrusted and commissioned with upholding the law, they had broken several laws regarding the arrest, trial and judgment of an accused man. Matthew records Jesus condemned these men eight times with, “You  hypocrites!” Hypocrisy is a great crime against God. Be sure you do as you say and live as you confess.
    But God had another plan from eternity past. His Son was already dead on the cross. His leges were not broken. Another prophecy regarding the Messiah is fulfilled. The Passover Lamb met God’s requirements. God keeps his own Law.
    And then Jesus’ side is pierced. This is evidence, my friends, clear and concise, that Jesus had died. Turn away the swoon theories and other lies doubters use to make the resurrection a farce, and look to the dead body of our Savior. He must pass through death to become the Living Lord. God wants you to clearly know that his Son is dead on a cross. We must mourn and know our sin is the cause of Jesus’ misery foretold in Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Living a resurrected life is to grieve that our sin caused Jesus, the Son of God, to die for us.
 
Resurrection Truth: Your sin is now dead when you confess Jesus died on a cross. 

John 19:28-30 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  

THERE it is! The plan is done. The work completed. Now Jesus can go home. His throne awaits him in the glory of eternity befitting the Son of God, obedient in all things to the Father. Just hours before this, Jesus had prayed with this expectation.
 
John 17:1a-5 “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
 
Indeed, “It is finished.” Jesus’ incarnation was to fulfill the Father’s will to save souls into eternal life. Jesus was “born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and buried” (the Apostles Creed) for God’s elect. Oh, the implications of those three phrases! God’s Son became human flesh. That alone is too grand to fully comprehend.
    How great was the Son’s suffering! Jesus suffered a life of labor, of poverty, and of grief. He suffered the insults of Teachers of the Law and his chosen people. They were deaf to hear his love. They were blind to see his miraculous signs as God’s hand on their bodies!
    Jesus suffered the doubts, pride and betrayal of his closest disciples. He suffered the lash. And he suffered the cross and the grave.
    His suffering finished the first stage of God’s redemptive plan. The blood had been shed. The death of the Passover Lamb of God to save the children of Abraham - all the church of Christ to come – was finished.
    We can understand Jesus’ great thirst as an illustration of the thirst in his heart to give you his living water (John 4). He had a thirst to quench the fires of spiritual despair, doubt, ignorance and complacency. In his risen life we can be born again into a life in which we will never thirst. (John 4:13) The cross of death becomes the spring of water welling up into eternal life. (John 4:14)
    That’s what Jesus’ finished work offers you.
 
Resurrection Truth: Jesus’ thirst becomes your spring of eternal life.

John 19:25-27 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.  
 
DOES the simple, powerful song come to mind: “Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me…”
    Oh, the Savior is dying in pain we can’t imagine, a thirst beyond understanding. How is he even alive? Yet Jesus’ love comes down from the cross to Mary, the one who bore his human body. With Mary is Salome (Believed to be Mary’s sister.). There is also Mary the wife of Clopas (and otherwise described as the mother of James the Younger and Joses), Mary Magdalene and the disciple John.
    Do you remember what the angel Gabriel said to Mary when he announced she would birth the Messiah? Luke 1:30 “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Favor is God’s love and mercy. Favor is blessing and salvation. Where was God’s favor at that moment?
    Mary may have been remembering, though, a  prophecy Simeon spoke at Jesus’ circumcision: Luke 2:34 “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Was it God’s favor that a spiritual sword was piercing Mary’s soul? Surely no one who loved Jesus suffered more than Mary.
    Then Jesus offered one last earthly favor to Mary. To refer to John and to tell Mary “Here is your son.” Jesus assures Mary John will look after her needs.
    Jesus is the oldest son. He had compassion for his mother’s needs and would have cared for her. But now he is dying. His unbelieving, perhaps fearful, brothers are gone. Only John of the 12 – now 11 – disciples stood close to the cross sorrowfully watching his beloved Messiah die. Four people who loved Jesus very much stood close to the cross to sorrowfully suffer the agony with their son, healer, Teacher and Master.
    When you go near the cross you will see the Savior’s blood and sweat pour from his body. You will watch him struggle to breathe and strain to speak. You will hear him offer his love to you. Then you will hear him love the Jews, “Father forgive them.” (Luke 23:34). You hear him assure the faithful criminal, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43).
    Yes, Jesus loves you even as the world rebels against him and celebrates his death. God’s love is greater than the rebellious heart. Remember Israel’s rebellion during the exodus journey: How often they rebelled against him in the desert and grieved him in the wasteland! Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel. (Psalms 78:40-41)  Yet the LORD God kept his promise, and they lived in the land he had prepared for them.
    The Jews continued to reject his love. Yet the LORD kept his promise to send Jesus to the cross to prepare you for his eternal Promised Home: John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  
   
Resurrection Truth: 1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 

John 19:23-24 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did.  
 
THE Spirit foretold this would happen: Psalms 22:18 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. (Much of Psalm 22 foretells the crucifixion in painful detail.) The Lord Jesus hangs on a cross, and the soldiers gamble for his seamless garment. Jesus has been beaten to the bone, his body a mass of blood and torn flesh. With no concern for the crucified one, Jesus’ tormenters seek profit from Jesus’ one valuable possession.
    The soldiers exemplify the self-first view that commands many human hearts. They pursue pleasure while the Savior suffers for his people clothed in sin. The world has no concern for the Savior’s extraordinary love.
    Is this true for us? Do we focus on the immediate, and take too little time to look into God’s eternal promise? Even when we know Jesus has submitted himself to ultimate shame, our self-desires can keep us centered on temporary profit and immediate gratification. When we sing, “Jesus paid it all. All to him I owe.” (the hymn “Jesus Paid it All”) do we commit “all” to him?
    How do we more faithfully consider sin’s cost and Jesus’ payment? Amid the daily requirements of our life let’s be ever mindful of our Savior’s redeeming payment. Think of this: 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Jesus, holy and righteous, became sin and shame! They removed his linen garment, but they could not remove his robe of righteousness stretches over his creation (Psalm 71). His robe is no gamble. When you commit to his truth, Jesus’ holy and loving sacrifice will clothe you in his truth.
    Jesus’ robe was specially made. There were no seams, no point to tear it. His robe of righteousness is like that. Center your life on the Savior, who clothes you eternally in his righteousness.
 
Resurrection Truth: Psalms 71:15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.  
​

John 19:19-22 Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” is what he wrote. 20 Many people read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 22 Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

GOD certainly uses people in surprising ways, doesn’t he? For example, he used the prostitute Rahab to help Joshua conquer Jericho (Joshua 6). He brought the Moabite Ruth to Bethlehem to continue the Savior’s lineage in the house of Judah (Ruth 4). Balaam, a pagan prophet, was God’s instrument to bless Israel (Numbers 22). Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar’s pride revealed God’s sovereignty (Daniel 1-4). Pilate was another who was not a Jew to be one of God’s instruments to reveal the gospel to the world.
    The Spirit moved Pilate to command a sign proclaiming Jesus “King of the Jews” in three languages. And “many people read it”. The execution was very public. The Romans wanted many people to see the horrible consequences of any rebellion. Scores of Jews and Gentiles traveled from Judah and other countries to and from Jerusalem. For many this was the first time they had heard about a rebellious rabbi from Nazareth. The travelers would have wondered about the sign and questioned, “Why would anyone call this crucified criminal, “King of the Jews”?  
    In God’s providence, some would learn the true answer weeks, months or years later when the gospel was preached in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and throughout the world. When they learned of Jesus crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended and coming again, the Spirit would have caused them to remember the “King of the Jews” hanging on a cross between two thieves. When “Christ crucified” was preached they knew it is true. We can be sure the memory awakened some to know that this man on the cross was truly the anointed, eternal King of the Jews, Son of God, King of Kings.
    Yes, God reveals himself in mysterious, very personal ways. He even goes to a criminal’s death on a hill along a public road in Jerusalem to prepare the world for his eternal promise: Jeremiah 3:17 At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts.
    On that day dark day in Jerusalem the Holy God planted the seeds of his salvation promise into the hearts and minds of some who passed by or stood at the foot of the cross. They experienced his death. They would one day completely experience his resurrection.
   
Resurrection Truth: Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  

John 19:1-5 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘“Hail, king of the Jews!’” And they struck him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, ‘“Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.’” 5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, ‘“Here is the man!’”
 
John 19:14-18 It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. ‘“Here is your king,’” Pilate said to the Jews. 15 But they shouted, ‘“Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’” ‘“Shall I crucify your king?’” Pilate asked. ‘“We have no king but Caesar,’” the chief priests answered. 16 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. 17 Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). 18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others – one on each side and Jesus in the middle.  
 
Luke 23:26 As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.
 
JESUS has suffered his people’s rejection and the governor’s unjust brutal condemnation. Blood streams from the excruciating crown of thorns. His wrists and arms are numb from the ropes that tied him to the lashing pole. Now Jesus must carry his own cross.
    Jesus, fully man and fully God, bears his cross to illustrate the truth of his own words: Mark 8:34 ‘“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”
    Yes, these words are figurative, symbolic of perseverance through trials we will encounter as we obediently follow Jesus Christ. But in this painful, disgraceful procession, our Lord sets for us a real cross-carrying example. He shows us that bearing a cross is impossible without help.
    Simon of Cyrene, who has come for the Passover, is commanded to help Jesus when Jesus’ strength is gone. Simon submits to the work and they continue to Golgotha.
    Cross-carrying requires we bear it forward. We don’t take up the cross and stop our work, letting the trial keep us from our mission. We take up the cross and follow Jesus. (Matthew 16:240) We must bear the challenges and obstacles in sure expectation the Holy Spirit will step in to say, ‘“Here, I know this is too heavy for you alone. Let me help you.’”
    Jesus knows you cannot bear it alone. He has suffered the cross for your eternal safety. Living a cross-carrying life is trusting God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
    On that dark day, Jesus, the man, needed help. God sent him Simon. On the days the cross is too heavy, Jesus will send the Spirit to help you.
 
Resurrection Truth: Psalms 46:11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

John 18:35-37 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

READ John 18:28-19:16 for the entire account of Jesus’ trial. What is at the center of the charges, Jesus’ few responses, and the crowd’s reaction?
    It is truth. Pilate wants to know, “What is truth?” He’s not the only one. The whole world wants to know it. Or do we?
    People do seem to seek after truth. An overwhelming number of religions in the world claim to be the place where truth is found. Many people also try to find truth in themselves. “Know yourself.” is a common directive.
    Pilate, it seems, had to stand back and think about Jesus’ words. Jesus said that when people wanted to know the truth he was the One to seek.
    But Pilate only considered it for a short time. Then he washed his hands of Jesus, and Jesus was gone.
    What kept Pilate from taking Jesus inside his house and inviting him to a meal, so he could more carefully ask Jesus, “What do you mean, ‘Whoever listens to the truth belongs to you?’” It seems Pilate was on the edge of a true desire to talk with and to learn from Jesus, but he backed down.
    Perhaps Pilate understood that if he took time with Jesus to learn the truth, his life would dramatically change. He might be confronted with his past sins – some very evil sins – among the Jews. Perhaps Pilate thought he would lose his power as a Roman governor.
    Have you been close to getting to know Jesus better but then stepped back? Were you afraid of what would change in your life? This is a common response to the Bible. Truth often makes us uncomfortable. When we ask, “What is truth?” we must be prepared to listen to Jesus’ answers. If we send him away, unwilling to know the answer, Jesus’ death means nothing for us.
 
Resurrection Truth: Listen closely to your Lord. He died, so you can hear him.
 

John 18:12-18 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself…25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?”
He denied it, saying, “I am not.” 26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?” 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
 
FOR centuries, Peter has been judged, condemned and mocked for this. Often when someone in church mentions Peter’s name, “Denied Christ.” is the first response. Then we often hear Peter was passionate and impulsive. He is the “Rock”. Seldom, if ever, does anyone mention he is the apostle – Jesus’ chosen messenger – who preached the church’s first sermon (Acts 2). Peter raised Dorcas from death (Acts 9:36-39). He was the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9). Peter also authored two epistles of the New Testament, and Peter helped Mark with the information to write Mark. Yes, Peter’s denial was a terrible sin. He needed to repent. And he did. His restored faith became a rock of the church’s formation and development.
    Peter’s denial was God’s will for Peter’s life. Jesus told Peter he had granted Satan permission to sift you (Luke 22:31). God tested Peter to teach him he needed the Helper to faithfully live in Jesus’ salvation. When Jesus restored Peter (John 21) Peter’s life became fully committed to Jesus.
    If you might doubt Jesus’ ability to redeem you sin, remember both Peter’s denial and Peter’s redemption. Your past sins will not chain you if you trust Jesus’ redemptive resurrection power.
    See this as the Spirit’s warning and promise to you. Be aware! Fear of the world and lack of trusting your faith in Jesus can lead you into the darkest places. Believe that when you repent Jesus will restore you into his light.
 
Resurrection Truth: In Jesus’ resurrection your denial becomes determination.