But Peter-Luke 24:12

 Easter Day  " But Peter"---:Ps 118:14-17,22-24; Col 3:1-4 ; Acts 10:34-43 ;Luke 24:1-12

  Have you ever driven in the fog early am before sunrise?  We had that experience when we had to go to Pensacola, and we took the roads that were less traveled, 137, thru Baker and Holt.  We were trying to see, and some pickup truck on my tail passed me on a double line. Needless to say, I was a bit concerned.  

1.  Sadness -What is your experience with fear and sadness?  We had a service for our grandfather at the little Presbyterian Church he filled in at, actually it was not that little, in the suburbs of Philly.  He was my mentor in all things , and it was so difficult.  I could not hold back the emotion and tears. Apparently I was rather vocally sad too, as I could not imagine him being gone.  We did a lot of things together.  I heard him preach, and we talked about the art of being a pastor on the porch in Philadelphia many days,  while I lived with him while in seminary down town.

I imagine and know that all of us have had dark, sad, and heart-wrenching experiences in our lives.  Jesus had told them that he would be crucified Luke 24"  remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8 And they remembered his words,"

But in the all of the happenings and trials literally, they had forgotten.  The Angels , or the two men in shining garments reminded them.

 But that did not seem to aleviate their fear and anxiety especially when they were not believed, vs 11."  And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not." vs 9-10 " (they) returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

10 It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles."

11" And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not."

2.   A glimmer shows   more -yes, shows, said by the Two Men ( we could see from the other Gospels they were Angels).  " 4: And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,"  

Somehow the Apostles missed it.  The women tried to communicate it.  But they did not believe these things had happened.  It was too incredible.

We too live in this middle ground often in our own lives.  We see the light a bit, but then fall back into our depression and hopelessness.  It is so common. We are frail, are we not?

3.  Lastly, Peter is Peter and we read, " But Peter" in vs. 12. "12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass"

The Peter who denied Jesus three times, and tried to get him to avoid the Cross, got up and ran to the tomb to see the evidence.  He was amazed and wondered which means there was hope and light in his face and mind.

We too need encouragement to keep on doing what God has called us to do despite the naysayers.  We too like Peter should run to the empty tomb knowing that the Lord is risen.  He is not here, but risen.  

No one could have rolled the stone by themselvs except the strong Angels.  Everything pointed to a resurrection. Peter sees the strips only.  The third day had come, and He had risen from the dead.

In Him is life and the life is the light of men. John said it so well. 

I imagine a lot of us are like the ones who think it can be idle tales. We sit and doubt.  We don't get up like Peter did to do the one thing God is asking.  He wants us to do His work in His way through our efforts by the Holy Spirit. It may be we can just say one word to get someone off their doubting .  

All of us can rejoice today, for He is risen.  He is risen indeed!