Mark 16:7 – But go, tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you." (NIV)

"Would you like to redo this assignment?" my math professor asked me as he handed back the work that I had turned in to him the previous day. There was no grade at the top of the paper. He smiled kindly at me. "Just review your work."

Confused, I scanned the page of equations. Then, I laughed. Somehow, I had worked the entirety of the equations … backward. The results, naturally, were incorrect. I was grateful for a professor who allowed me a second chance rather than failing me.

Likewise, Peter got a second chance. At the Last Supper, Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you [Jesus], I will never disown you." (Mark 14:31a NIV) Yet, at the moment of pressure, his actions proved the opposite of his words. Jesus saw him through the crowd and looked at him with love. In today's verse, after Jesus rose again, the angel specifically mentioned Peter. He needed a word of hope after his failure. Jesus gave him another chance. He neither judged nor condemned Peter. He simply forgave him.

The overwhelming love of God continually covers our weaknesses, our sins, and our waywardness. This love does not react to our actions. There is nothing that we can do that will cause God to love us less. We expect condemnation, judgment, and punishment, because lost, broken people around us often dole these out. Just as I would have expected my instructor to fail my homework, so we often expect others to see our failures and judge us harshly.

Yet, by contrast, Jesus provides us with an example of how to treat those who fail. His love pulls us back to Him, covering every sin with His redemptive power. Just as the instructor gave me a fresh chance, so does the Lord. He doesn't review the days, weeks, and months of a year to count our failures. Instead, He renews mercy with each sunrise. Grace abounds every morning. Forgiveness flows abundantly from His heart.

The new year now lies before us like a blank piece of paper, ready for revised equations. If you have wandered, messed up, or sinned over this last year, return to Jesus. The arms of our gracious Saviour wait to receive you!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for the second chances that Your grace provides us. Thank You for Your forgiveness for every sin and failure when we turn to You and repent. May this new year offer many opportunities for us to serve You with renewed passion. In Your name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Kathleen Dunlap <kedunlapco@gmail.com>
Arvada, Colorado, USA
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