Let’s recap…

I started this series on Easter four weeks ago. We explored how Easter was not just for us as believers and where Jesus — even throughout his crucifixion story — made a point to reach out to even those who were nailing him to the cross. We also explored the garden of Gethsemane story through the eyes of the disciples, while asking the question, “Are you a friend of God?” Last week we went back in time to creation to really capture the heart of God and understand the whole reason for Easter in the first place.

I hope this made you process Easter in a new unique light and really appreciate what God has done for us.  Hopefully they helped you grasp a piece of God’s heart for others in your life. It has been a very fun journey for me and I really do hope it is changing my heart.

So, what is the whole point and meaning of Easter? I know we’ve all heard many sermons on this every Easter and maybe even some in between, but it is not something to take for granted.

The point of Easter was to redeem God’s poisoned creation, to represent to the world His character in a physical way, and to give us a way to be purified, righteous Saints bringing the Kingdom of God to the world.

The amazing thing is that because He is the sovereign all powerful miracle working God, He can do this for and in anyone’s life. He doesn’t write anyone off as too far gone; neither should we. He literally gave his very life for the entire world, past, present, and future.

The last story I think we should look at is that of Peter, but this time let’s read it together:

John 21:1-19

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

Jesus knew before anything happened that Peter would deny him; but after everything he still sought Peter out to bring him back to himself.  Peter became a huge part of the spreading of the gospel.

1Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

God wants relationship with everyone.

My challenge for you this week is to pray for at least two people God brings to your heart, one that has run away from God after once following Him, and one that you know has never known God. Pray that God would give you opportunity to share the gospel.

Also, please share with us any stories that come out of this, or even prayer requests for these people that come to mind. You don’t have to name them, but we can all partner together in prayer.

Praise God for his love and sacrifice! We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter.