bishop's perspective
Forgiveness in the post-resurrection stories
I have been thinking about some post-resurrection events and relationships. Of all the disciples, I believe Peter grieved the most over his betrayal of Jesus. He swore to a very ordinary and non-threatening maid that he did not even know Jesus. Then he went forth to weep bitterly. He had denied the one who believed in him and loved him as no other had.
The other side of that story is that Jesus might have fallen prey to anger and hurt over Peter's betrayal. Jesus could have decided Peter's faith was not the "rock" on which to build the church. Peter had failed miserably. The bond of trust was broken. Peter's action was unforgivable.
But what is stunning in the post-resurrection appearances is that Jesus never condemns, rejects nor rebukes Peter. Jesus does not hold a grudge nor withhold forgiveness. Jesus appears simply to accept Peter's human frailty. Jesus seems to understand that Peter acted out of stupidity and fear. Jesus embraced Peter's bitter tears as repentance.
I like to think of that magnificent moment when the resurrected Jesus embraced Peter without rancor, disappointment or malice. I think their reunion was full of grace and reconciliation. The only slight rebuke Jesus offers Peter is that he is slow ("dull") in recognizing him.
The greatest tragedy of the postresurrection stories is that nowhere is it recorded that Jesus returned to the Pharisees. There was no reconciliation. No revelation. No embrace. No forgiveness. For you see, the religious folk never repented. They never were sorry. They didn't love Jesus before the cross, and they were unable to accept him after the resurrection.
Peter made some terrible mistakes, acknowledged them, and his heart was right. The Pharisees also betrayed the Messiah but failed to acknowledge their behavior, and their hearts were hardened. They were right about the Law of Moses but wrong about Jesus. They were right about the rules and rites but dead wrong about grace. So Jesus didn't stop in to visit them after the resurrection. And the Pharisees didn't care. They were satisfied with their own personal piety. That was enough for them. Smug. Legalistic. Hard. Orthodox. Correct. Yet they missed out on the greatest event in all of history.
To whom does Christ come today?
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