Galilee Visited

“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.” Mark 16:7

These were the words that Jesus directed the angel to say to Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome on the morning that they went to find the tomb empty. As for the angel mentioning Peter’s name specifically, I suspect that most of us have either read or heard sermons about why Jesus mentioned his name. Jesus knew that Peter was dearly suffering from his denial. He knew after their eyes met across the courtyard, and He saw Peter go out, bitterly weeping that he was broken. Of course, I suspect that Jesus knew this was necessary. Peter was one of the most, if not the most, brash disciple of the twelve. Jesus would call him blessed one moment; and refer to him as the Devil the next. For me, I found a certain personal irony that one so cock sure of himself was later brought down at one’s crow. Nonetheless, what happened was necessary if Peter was to become the wounded-man-healed to lead the disciples after Pentecost and beyond… to his own crucifixion; some say, up-side-down. Certainly, the evidence of Peter’s true repentance and brokenness is shown in Christ calling him by name to Galilee; thus fulfilling what he probably heard Jesus say; as recorded in Matthew 12:20, “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.”  Praise God that Christ’s compassion, which was shown to Peter, is true for all those who, as a result of seeing the fullness of their sin, find themselves contrite; brought low and poor in spirit. Shouldn’t our true confrontation with sin, in the light of Christ’s grace and humiliation, produce a meaningful and noticeable change in our own countenance and behavior?

Of course, you might ask whether I was called by name, and I would have to say, ‘no’; if by that you asked if I heard the Father, Son or Holy Spirit, or a messenger angel speak my name, David. However, there is no doubt my call was personal. I knew His voice, and as Peter was directed, I was also directed to go. Galilee can be as much a closet as a distant region. Galilee could be the altar at the front of a church or an upper room. Galilee is wherever we are called to go and to meet with the Jesus Who was born of the virgin Mary, died on the cross, was buried and on the third day rose again. If this One calls, then what matters is that we go… visit with Him; walk and follow. Just remember if it is His voice that calls, His call will be consistent with the Scriptures, and His sheep know His voice. I dislike ending this post with a caveat and warning, but it is necessary. There are many false Christ’s who may call you by name; seducing you as a matter of prideful recognition, but where they may lead you? Beware.