Turned

"When you have turned again, strengthen your brothers," Luke 22:31.

What's the setting? It's in a large enough private room with more than a dozen men in it. What's the occasion? The Jewish Passover. Who's talking? Jesus. Who's he talking to? Generally, to everybody there, but at this moment, singularly, to Peter. What's he saying to him? That before the night was out, he, Peter, would exclaim that he, Peter, never had known Jesus, let alone called him Lord. (And what would Jesus be doing while Peter was doing his denials of Jesus? Jesus would be being beaten in preparation for being killed.) But, Jesus said, when he, Peter, repented, Jesus wanted him, Peter, to encourage the rest. Yes. Jesus said that when Peter repented, he, Jesus, would forgive him, Peter, and give him, Peter, a message that he, Peter, should grant to others: Jesus forgives. For real.

So, we visit with a brother or sister today knowing that Jesus forgave us all our transgressions. And, together, we give thanks to God for granting to us, too, the same message of reconciliation. Sky kingdom.