On Good Friday we published ‘The Golgotha Monologues’ four monologues written from the perspectives of people who would have been there on the very first Good Friday. But we know that after Good Friday comes Easter Sunday, after Jesus’ death comes his resurrection, and so, today we are publishing ‘The Resurrection Monologues’!
The first is from the perspective of Simon Peter
Three times! Three!
I know I’ve been a hot head at times – an act-first, straight-in-the-water, think-later kind of bloke, but I have my good points too.
I’m strong – I can seem physically imposing I guess and I’m a little older than the others – maybe not as educated as some, but I’ve got a good memory and I’m not shy to tell people the truth, whether they want to hear it or not.
I’ve got a voice – I can hold a crowd and they listen. I’ve always been one who can make myself heard.
I’m not afraid to ask the obvious questions and say things plain – sometimes things need to be said out loud and not just assumed.
I’m not afraid to break taboos. There can be too much talk about tradition and the way things have always been done. Sometimes things must change.
And I thought I could add ‘reliable’ to that list – ‘loyal’ – a ‘rock’.
When Jesus called me Rock, when he said that in front of the others, when he said he had a job for me, building his church - well I was humbled, but I could see it. I saw myself as a leader – someone others could rely upon.
How wrong I was.
Three - times!?!
Three times I was asked – and three times I answered that I never knew the guy. I lied just to save my own hide. And I ran – trying to out-run my betrayal.
And later, when he came back – he didn’t just gloss over it, he asked me three times, there by the lake with the others watching - my Lord asked me and I told him. And I meant it.
He asked me three times – ‘Do you love me?’
And I can tell you what I told him – I love him. As my brother, as my friend, as my Lord.
He knows how much I love him.
And with those three questions it was just as if with each ‘Do you love me?’ and with each repeated answer – ‘I love you’ - he undid my shame.
And three time he said to me: ‘Take care of my sheep.’
Three times. That means something.
So, I’m telling you – not on my own authority; I’m telling you as one who witnesses his death and his resurrection and as a forgiven man, as a man commissioned to speak - I’m telling you confidently:
God raised Jesus to life, and we are witnesses to that fact – God has made this Jesus who was crucified and died, both Lord and Christ. And every one of you can be forgiven and can receive the gift of his Holy Spirit.
Take that from a man who’s been forgiven.
