Text: Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5

The Lord ministered mightily last night at The Watch prayer meeting as we prayed through the types and shadows of the Tabernacle. It was so very fitting and so very gracious that the Holy Spirit would speak to us following our prayer “before” the Ark of the Covenant. Indeed His ways are perfect and He is always on time.

His perfect way and timing is also seen in today’s text: “and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve” (1 Corinthians 15:5 ESV). As the tender-hearted Shepherd, the Lord knew the pain and regret in Peter following the apostle’s denial of Him—He had seen it in Peter’s eyes (cf. Luke 22:61). Notice the extra effort made towards Peter, seen not only in this appearance but in the angel’s personal message as well: But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you” (Mark 16:7 ESV).

R. J. Utley in Paul’s Letters to a Troubled Church: I and II Corinthians writes, “It is amazing that the first person the resurrected Christ appears to (after the women at the tomb) is the very one who had denied Him three times, the very one who preached the first sermon of the Church at Pentecost. Jesus marks him out for special emphasis in Mark 16:7, where the Apostles are told to meet Jesus in Galilee. This surely shows Christ’s love, understanding, forgiveness, and restoring powers.” It is a love, understanding, forgiveness, and restoration that is always offered at the perfect time!

Remember the last time the Lord “appeared” to you at the perfect time. It may have been the time you needed the reassuring touch of His love; it may have been a Word that brought clear understanding when you didn’t know which way to turn; it may have been some much-needed acceptance through forgiveness; it may have been a point of restoration, and how he taught you that His grace is sufficient. Whatever the case, thank Him for His perfect timing is all things.