We all love before-and-after transformations, don’t we?
The dramatic TV makeover that transforms a Plain Jane into a femme fatale.
Or the renovation that turns a dated, nondescript room into something fit for the pages of “House Beautiful” magazine.
But TV shows and magazines aren’t the only places to find dramatic makeovers.
There are astonishing before-and-after changes in the Bible, too.
One example of this is found in Peter, the brash, impulsive disciple of Jesus. A bit hot-headed, Peter was often afflicted by “foot-in-mouth” disease.
When we first meet Peter, he’s working as a fisherman. When Jesus provides the group with a miraculous catch of fish after they’d worked all night and caught nothing, Peter is scared. He says, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” ((Luke 5:1-10)
The demonstration of Jesus’ holiness and miracle-working power leaves Peter shaken.
Another snapshot of Peter is seen when he and the disciples are in a boat with Jesus. A storm whips up and they are afraid for their lives; Jesus, however, is asleep. Peter and the others wake Jesus up and say, “Don’t you care that we’re about to die?” (Matthew 8:23-27)
The prospect of imminent death rattles Peter.
Our last view of Peter occurs when Jesus has been arrested. Peter skulks around to see what will become of him while at the same time trying to disassociate himself from Jesus. When a of couple servant girls insist that he was definitely a friend of Jesus, Peter doesn’t have the courage to admit it. (Matthew 26:69-74)
The possibility of getting in trouble compels Peter to clam up about the truth.
But what a difference a day makes!
I’m referring, of course, to Resurrection day!
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