Did you ever notice what Jesus said after he rose from the dead? He said “go and tell the disciples and Peter” (Mark 16:7). The Lord knew how Peter felt after he denied Jesus three times. Peter must have felt horrible, and probably thought he had lost it all, his salvation, his discipleship, his rewards and place in Heaven. Jesus mentioned his name special to reassure him that he loved him and forgave him. Isn’t that wonderful and beautiful? The Lord probably let that happen for a special purpose to humble him and make him more loving and forgiving toward others so he could use him as a great leader and teacher. Sometimes Gods way up is down, and “Who can understand the ways of the Lord? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8,9).“All things work together for good to them that love the Lord .” (Romans 8:28).It seems like every great man in the Bible that God mightily used had to go through great humblings and breakings, and make big mistakes, and sins ,before God could use them for his special purpose, when their hearts got to the point where they were utterly dependent upon God’s mercy, and not their own strength and self righteousness. How many jams has God gotten you out of from your mistakes and sins? How many times has he turned things around for good in your life from seeming disasters which we have caused by our own sins and misdeeds? One thing for sure it gives hope to us that if the Lord could forgive Peter for denying him three times (Probably one of the worst sins of all), and then mightily use him, then there is hope for us too. Amen!