Lenten Meditation: April 3, 2026
John 18:1-19:42
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice (John 18:37)
Reliving Jesus’ Passion is always devastating, yet Jesus isn’t the only one who suffers during it. Take Peter, for example, who denies Jesus three times after promising to stick with him. The other gospels include that Peter “broke down and wept”, but we likely don’t understand what a soul-shattering breakdown he must have had when facing his own crisis of faith. The pain of seeing our weak character clearly is one that many of us struggle to avoid, but at what cost to our souls and to our society? What remains in the dark never heals, then the frantic drive to hide from it causes illness and harm, to ourselves and to others.
Is healing possible for Peter despite his past? Towards the end of John’s gospel, Jesus not only forgives Peter, but entrusts him to “feed my sheep.” Peter accepts God’s forgiveness – and becomes the spirit-filled preacher and courageous apostle that we meet in Acts. Peter even finds joy and peace, able to sleep while in prison the night before his scheduled execution. And he does eventually fulfill his promise to Jesus to die like him, on a cross.
The Passion is a prelude to unimaginable glory, peace, and joy. As painful as it is, if we enter into the sufferings of Jesus and those around him, we, too, can find restoration and true healing.