“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’ ” (Mark 16:7).

All the disciples had run away from Jesus before the crucifixion. Now that He was risen from the dead the angel conveys a message from Him to be carried to His disciples. He was going to meet them in Galilee just as He had promised them before He was crucified.

The tremendous heart of Jesus is revealed by these words. His disciples may have been still feeling the pain of their desertion. Jesus, as He always does, takes the initiative in reaching out to them. In spite of the fact that they had left Him in His crisis hour, He had just died for them. He has always done what He is able to do to reconcile us to Himself.

Of particular interest is His mention of Peter. Peter, having proclaimed his willingness to die with Jesus, had three times denied that he knew Him. He had wept bitterly at his own failure. Now, Jesus says specifically to Peter that he is included in Jesus’ message. It is typical of Jesus. He never forgets us, no matter what we have done and even though we disappoint ourselves He never gives up on us. He just asks us to continue to trust Him.

It is Peter who was chosen by God to preach the first post-resurrection message. God has an immeasurable supply of mercy and grace. Thank God for that!