The Resurrection Narrative: Too Much Like Peter
The joy of Easter is the celebration of triumph over our greatest fear—the defeat of our Savior. The words ‘He is Risen!’ are a perplexing utterance for those who have witnessed the crucifixion of Christ. For those who have been confused by the silence of Jesus in the presence of those who could not match his power or authority. Like Peter, we are so often tempted to argue with God about the way things should really be. Like Peter, we often speak when we should be listening and learning.
Among the most difficult words to read about the life of Christ are His clear explanations that he must suffer, be rejected and die before being raised to life. The synoptic Gospels are particularly noted for their references to these words of Christ (cf, Luke 9:22; Mark 8:31 and Matthew 17:12). Because of his great love for Jesus, Peter wanted to protect Jesus and correct Jesus. In the garden, Peter attacked Malthus, one of the guards of the High Priest, who had come to arrest Jesus by cutting off his ear. When Jesus spoke of the requisite suffering, Peter told Jesus ‘This shall never happen to you’ (Matthew 16:22). It is far more appealing to focus upon the abundance and joy that Christ provides, rather than the journey of suffering and struggle.
The cross that Jesus invites us to bear is usually represented in the fashionable jewelry that we choose to wear. After Jesus explains that He must suffer and die, he invites the disciples to take up their cross and follow him. The tremendous sorrow of Holy Week is completely missed if the celebrations of Palm Sunday are only followed by the joyous refrains of Easter. Similarly, the joy of graduation can easily disguise the effort required to reach that day. Even the trophies, ribbons and other medals that we receive do not reflect the countless hours of preparation, frustration and fatigue that we endure to master the difficult tasks of life.
Ultimately, even the joy of birth cannot be immediately followed by the victory of eternal life without the lessons of endurance that only existential trials can teach. Like Peter, we are often too eager to avoid the agony of suffering or even the discomfort of growing experience the true triumph of salvation that Jesus offers. Paul’s plaintive, poignant summary that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, character produces hope and that hope does not disappoint us (Romans 5:3-5) offers a blueprint of the journey of life without Christ.
The joy of Easter represents a positional statement from which we acknowledge the spiritual, physical and ontological heights we reach when we follow Jesus through the valley, along roads to Jericho, to Samaria, by the lakeshore and the garden to reach the mountaintop. Jesus invites us to follow Him.
Don’t just experience the joy of Easter, share the hope of Easter. The sufferings we endure may have led some to turn away and seek a different, easier path. May the disappointments and tge discouragement never result in a decision to abandon the journey. Christ walks with us and Christ leads the way!
We are looking forward to seeing you in worship, in class and in ministry as we serve and grow together.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
