Peter is a heart-on-his-sleeve kind of a guy. When Peter sees Jesus, he puts on his outer garment in reverence, and then dives into the sea, not wasting a second to embrace his teacher, friend, and Messiah who then asks him three times, "Do you love me?"

We might expect that, after denying Christ, Peter would cower in shame -- or even run away. Instead, when he hears the news from the women, Peter gets up and runs to the tomb. When he finds it empty, he is filled with awe. Even after our biggest failures, may we live as Easter people, running towards hope!

As Holy Week begins, Peter is no longer front and center, and so we imagine he is with the rest of the disciples when Jesus enters Jerusalem on a colt. The disciples are confused as they witness crowds shouting hosannas. When they look back on the experience, they will remember the songs. Their singing is subversive, courageous, and contagious. Their praise shows the ripple effect of public displays of praise. 

When your world unravels and your beliefs are tested, you may cling to what you know. As Jesus foretells His death and resurrection, Peter protests. Peter is fixed upon the way he thinks things should go; he resists the pain of what will come. But Jesus is fixed upon His calling and calls Peter out. What does it look like to welcome complexity? Can you stay fixed upon your convictions while also expanding your perspective? 

"Praise the mount I'm fixed upon it. Mount of God's unchanging love." Peter has a mountaintop faith moment, feeling the closeness of God. Peter claims his faith. If you had to speak your faith in a few phrases, what would you say? 

As a new disciple, perhaps Peter wants to prove himself. Boldly, in the middle of a storm, Peter steps out of the boat to join Jesus who is walking on top of the waves. He, too, walks on water until the wind shakes his trust and he begins to sink. Maybe this looks like doubt, unexpected change, too-busy seasons of life, devastating grief, or distance form God. In this story, we empathize with the desperation Peter feels as he cries out; how may God save us when we sink? 

 Christ's transfiguration circles back to an earlier revelation about His identity. While we may never fully understand our mysterious Messiah, we work to participate in His revelation to the world. 

Jesus continued to keep His identity a secret, but His action often freed others who had been living in secret. What secrets are keeping you from living fully? Jesus offers healing that frees us to live abundantly.

"What's this? A new teacher with authority?" Jesus makes Himself known to those gathered in the synagogue of Capernaum. How might we recognize with awe where God is at work now?

Immediately the disciples followed Jesus, not even knowing why. Jesus clearly has something to accomplish. What urgent mission might God be calling you to?