It was the 8th day (Sh’mini), the day of renewal and new beginnings. Aaron and his sons had been consecrated, and they were now adorned in their vestments. They have watched Moses set up and take down the Tabernacle for seven consecutive days. They know the pattern. They know their duty. Yet, the rabbis discern a hesitation in Aaron. We read in Leviticus 9:6-8:

וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה, זֶה הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר-צִוָּה יְהוָה תַּעֲשׂוּ–וְיֵרָא אֲלֵיכֶם, כְּבוֹד יְהוָה

“And Moses said, “This is the thing that the Lord commanded you to do, that the glory of the Lord may appear to you.” Continuing: “Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded.” So Aaron drew near to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself” (Lev. 9:6-8).

The last time Aaron had acted as a leader and priest he failed. The memory of the Golden Calf was all too fresh in his mind. Could he really stand as the high priest of Israel now? קְרַב אֶל-הַמִּזְבֵּחַ , “Draw near to the altar” Moses says, and the glory of God will appear (Ex. 40:34-38) when you, Aaron, do what He has commanded.

But with the eyes of Israel upon him, knowing his sin, could he actually walk out his calling as high priest?

“But go, tell His disciples, and Peter…” (Mk. 16:7).

“And Peter,” 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 forgiving heart of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus.

When the angel tells Mary to report Yeshua’s resurrection to the disciples, he is sure to mention 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 lacked the strength to stand against a simple question or assertion. This strong and gruff 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: “and Peter.”

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, was not only included, but was used mightily. Peter personally experienced the power of Messiah’s restoration. Now he could live and share it.

When Aaron drew near the altar, even in his hesitation, he demonstrated before all the eyes of Israel that the Lord forgave him as His glory filled the Tabernacle. They would see, in the life of a forgiven sinner, the power of God’s forgiveness and restoration.

So you messed up. So he, she, they messed up. So I messed up. Paul writes, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Ro. 3:23). Even Paul messed up. Learn to say, “tell his disciples and ______ …” put your name in there, personalize it, remember His forgiveness is for you.

Dear reader, every week I stand before people or minister to or lead people around the world knowing full well that I’m the biggest of screw ups in His Kingdom. Yet as with Aaron, Peter, and everyone else He has called, I was drawn near, saved, forgiven and renewed by the blood of the Lamb. With the memories of my screw ups still fresh, I minister His Good News, as a recipient of it, not its author.

When you feel too disqualified to qualify to respond to His calling, as Moses told Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and the glory of God will appear.” Draw near to Messiah, His glory will appear, and He will use you for His glory. You can and will live it, and then share the Gospel, again, not as its author, but as a recipient of it.

He will make new your mess, and it will become His message in you.

Be well. Shalom.