It was important for the Holy Spirit to convey the truth to us, and show through the written word how much Jesus loved his disciples, and how He acted towards them after His resurrection, to heal and comfort them, from the trauma that they went through. I know that they all forsook Jesus when He was apprehended in the garden of Gethsemane, but He was aware that it would happen! We know that Peter went as far as denying on oath, that he knew Him and had anything to do with Him. But before we become judges, like so many are, ask yourself how you would react in a similar situation! Jesus warned Peter and said to Him: ‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you (you in plural)) but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you are turned back, (repent) strengthen your brothers. (Luke 22: 31) It is a tragedy, for many Christians are shy to even acknowledge that they are followers of Jesus Christ when the possibility is right to stand up for Him. 

Jesus knew what would happen, even before He saved and called them. It is written that: ‘He does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear/revere Him, (or stand in awe of Him – respect Him – love Him); … as a Father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those that revere Him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:10-14) After the precious hours they spent together, the power they felt is what we feel today as we read all that Jesus said to them in that Upper room. They did not know at the time that they would witness His horrible death, a death, as I have said already, they did not expect and did not believe that it would actually happen! But Jesus acted as He did, for He knew, that in spite of it all, His beloved disciples, not just the apostles, with the power of the Holy Spirit’s anointing, men, and women, were going to change the world forever, for it is to that end that they were/are all called, people that God gave to Jesus.

Bear with me, as I am winding this second point of my study, which deals with our blessed assurance, the certainty, of being saved and our blessed position, oneness with God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and before I deal with the commitment to what could be called our call to work with God as Jesus did. It is obvious that a great change needed to happen to them, and it did on the day of Pentecost, when Jesus fulfilled His promise and baptised them with the Holy Spirit. Because up to that day of Pentecost they were not ready for any commitment to start winning souls for Christ!

Let us remember, even if I repeat myself, that, whatever he felt after his moving regret, Peter was not aware that he would see Jesus ever again! It is obvious that they forgot what Jesus told them, on few occasions, that on the third day He would rise from the dead! I love to sit and stop and meditate this unique story, to get what I can from this scene which is full of love, the love of Christ that is still the same, for me, for you! except that we do not see Him physically as they did. I treasure the privilege of knowing that I have a part in God’s great plan! His love, poured into their heart by the Holy Spirit in the heart of every child of God at conversion, is a most amazing, a very moving experience that grows in depth and power, and yet it is only the beginning, for so much is yet to happen, but we cannot see it with these eyes, nor understand it fully with our minds. Jesus stayed on earth forty days, He did it, to encourage and restore all his disciples, and His holy, awesome presence, in words, and attitude, proved that in spite of everything that happened, He alone could love them to the very end. For a good reason, Jesus chose to appear to a woman first, for in the Lord they too have been given the same rights, to all the blessings that He does offer. Jesus called twelve apostles to follow him and be with Him wherever He went, but women followed Him as well, and ministered to His/their needs.

For, in the end, when all is finished, when God will have ushered in a New heaven and a New earth, we shall all be sons of God, ‘like the angels,’ said Jesus! But for the time being we are men and women; but sadly, in some countries, and in many human relationships, women are still slaves, second-class citizens, but Jesus changed all that long ago, and in all true Christians circles, women are honoured and respected as they should be. ‘Dear Lady, said Jesus to Mary Magdalene, who are you looking for.’ My dear friend, are you looking for Him or to Him? May be not, or not yet, but know this, Jesus is looking for you! The Lord will go a long way to find His lost sheep, and bring it back in the sheepfold.