Resurrection Monologues - Simon Peter

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

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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.

What. A. Weekend.

Wow.

What a weekend.

Without doubt the most important weekend of the year when it comes to the church calendar. This weekend we celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, events which despite occurring over 2000 years ago, still shape each and every moment of the life of a christian. Without this weekend, if he never died as a sacrifice for our sins and then rose, conquering death and winning an everlasting victory, followers of Jesus Christ would quite simply have no foundation for their faith in him. But we believe that he did do that, we believe that he still lives today, and is seated on a heavenly throne, at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us, which makes the Easter weekend one worth celebrating!

The weekend started with a day we now call Good Friday, but a day which seemed altogether less ‘good’ all those years ago. Jesus Christ of Nazareth hung on a cross and died, seemingly defeated. While we know now that this was in fact the beginning of his victory, a moment when all of our sin and shame was paid for, it is important as christians that we remember the cost of our salvation, that Jesus suffered in our place, that he felt our pain. This was the first time we have met together on Good Friday at Redeemer and it was an amazing service, meeting together for an hour, we sung songs which reminded us of the power of Jesus’ blood, we heard monologues read which reinforced the message that Jesus suffered for us, and we took communion together to mark the sacrifice that was made. I personally was incredibly moved by the whole service, and it was stirring to hear so many voices lifted up in praise to their king, even on such a sombre occasion.

Then, on Easter Sunday, it was time for a celebration! We had the opportunity to sing songs together which allowed us to rejoice in the victory won as Jesus walked out of his tomb! We were led by a fantastic choir, heard truth proclaimed, and were able to celebrate with three individuals who took the opportunity this Easter Sunday to be baptised and to begin their own journey of walking with Jesus, out of the darkness, and into his Glorious Day!

But what does this weekend mean for us as christians? Is it just a once a year celebration, after which we go back to our routines….? No! We believe that this truth, this celebration of Jesus’ victory is something to be celebrated all year round! So we’ll be celebrating next Sunday too, and the Sunday after that, and not just on Sundays! Every day of the rest of our lives is now lived in the knowledge that we walk in the everlasting victory that was won on the first Easter! This truth we believe is not just for ourselves, but is true for all people, of all ages, all across the world. If you’re reading this and you aren’t currently celebrating this truth, why not come and find out more by visiting us on a Sunday morning at Ealing Town Hall, or join us on Thursday the 9th of May as we launch our next Alpha course with an evening of live music and poetry at Artisan Coffee. As you reflect on another Easter weekend, whatever that means for you, don’t miss a chance to come and join in the celebration which continues all year round!

He is risen.

He is risen indeed!

“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!

Mark 16:6