Two little words. One, a conjunction. The other, a proper noun. Yet, these two little words are powerful, restorative, and they allow us to see the heart of our Messiah.

Peter gives me hope. He should also give you hope. Why? He often said the wrong things, did the wrong things, and acted more like a fisherman than an apostle. He could be stiff-necked, short tempered, and bold about the wrong things; but God.

Two little words show us the heart of Yeshua/Jesus after His resurrection for His friend; his lost friend.

One of the angels at the tomb said to Miriam, “But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before them to the Galilee…” (Mk. 16:7). Amplified: “Go and tell the disciples where He will be Miriam, and tell Peter!”

There is a distinction. The disciples. And Peter.

We all know Peter denied Yeshua (Mk. 15:66-72). His denial disqualified him. Peter attempted to stand for Yeshua in his own strength. His strength failed. This was Peter’s mistake. Peter, not yet empowered by the risen Messiah, could not stand against a simple question or assertion. This strong man fell by the words of a young girl.

I am sure most of you are familiar with Peter’s restoration in John 21:15-17; but Yeshua already revealed His plan for restoration, even before Peter’s repentance.

“But go, tell His disciples, and Peter…”

Mark, who is recording his gospel according to Peter’s testimony, is the only one to record “and Peter.” Matthew had no need to. Luke would have closely investigated the matter and found it an accepted fact. John has his own restoration of Peter. The angel announced what others might have doubted – that Peter, who publicly denied Yeshua, would be restored.

Before Peter could announce the Gospel to Jerusalem in Acts 2, to Gentiles in Acts 10, and defend the inclusion of those who should be excluded in Acts 15, Peter – the one who should be excluded, but was not only included, but used mightily – he, personally experienced the power of Messiah’s restoration.

When things are not going the way we had hoped, it is easy to believe that perhaps we have done something, intentionally or unintentionally, to deny Messiah. Thus, we are excluded from the family of disciples. What Peter did not do was separate himself from “the disciples.” He was there in the upper room. He was there on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He was there at the Great Commission. Perhaps he was thinking that his time as a disciple was over, but he stayed in fellowship: but God, and Peter.

When you feel disqualified, excluded, unloved, forgotten, whatever it might be, think of Peter. He denied Yeshua, to His face. He failed. Yet, Jesus made sure it was announced, via heavens messenger, that Peter knew where He would be. He wanted Peter there, with them.

In times of crisis, remember God’s promises, and learn to say, “tell his disciples and ______ …” put your name in there. Personalize it. He wants you to know where He is, because He is preparing a place, with Him, just for you: “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14:2).

Be well. Shalom.