It’s the day after Jesus died. Peter screamed until he could scream no more. He fell off a cliff into the abyss of broken souls. The force of his crash could have moved the earth. Fragments lay around him—the hideous replacements of his former self. Shame replaced love. Fear drove away hope. He watched his destiny plunge into a black hole.
Then to survive, Peter became a robot. He went fishing. It’s what he was programmed to do. Peter went through the motions. Avoiding feeling, suppressing emotion.
Now, the difference between Peter and Judas Iscariot is razor thin. The same fever of despair and regret burned in them both. It drove Judas to suicide. Why didn’t Peter kill himself?
Because Jesus prayed for him!
Nevertheless, Satan caged Peter in a lie. The same lie that tortures America right now: everything good is gone forever. And we are totally alone.
But Peter’s agony went beyond this. He found out he is a coward. Denying Jesus three times. The rooster still crows in his mind.
Not only that, but he found out he was a fool! Thinking he would save Jesus, he cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Malchus.
He fished all night and caught nothing.
Now another memory tortures him. It’s the day he met Jesus. Jesus interrupted his entire life. He fished all night and caught nothing. He had nothing to show for a brutal night out on the water.
Then the strange Teacher said, “Let your nets down again for a catch.” Peter half-heartedly did as he was asked. Suddenly the catch is so enormous it terrifies him. He begged Jesus to keep His distance, “I am a sinful man!” Peter cried. Instead of leaving Jesus spoke the eternal words, “Follow Me and I will make you a fisher of men.”
But Peter is now convinced—after his failure and denial—it is too late. He believes his destiny is lost forever.
If not for these two little words: “and Peter,” the whole world would have been different.
Finally, it is dawn on Resurrection Sunday. An angel is talking about Peter! Mark 16:7 says, “But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that Jesus is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told to you.”
If not for these two little words: “and Peter,” the whole world would have been different. Think about it. The only pronoun the angel needed to use was “His disciples.” After all he would not have said, “Tell His disciples, and John” or “and Matthew.”
And now Peter rises from the dead. Oh, the unmatched glory of another chance.
God knew Peter would disqualify himself if the invitation was “for disciples only.”
You can imagine Peter insisting, “Are you sure the angel said my name?”
“Yes, the exact words were, “Tell the disciples, and Peter.”
And now Peter rises from the dead. Oh, the unmatched glory of another chance.
This is Peter’s destiny. More than that, it is his identity and reason for living.
But wait, there is much more. Satan now has a new and terrifying enemy! The former coward is now the perfect weapon to shake the gates of hell.
Peter is utterly transformed. He is now a devastating witness. On the day of Pentecost He roared the global invasion of the Holy Spirit. “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel!”
Two chapters later, the man who couldn’t admit he knew Jesus stands before the Sanhedrin and calls them murderers.
Because of Easter you can come back from the darkest failure. Because of Easter God will look over you to protect your destiny.
How mighty was Peter’s destiny? For that we look back to that night Jesus healed Malchus’ ear. Jesus knew Peter must not be sitting on death row on the day of Pentecost. Jesus reattached the ear, in order to protect Peter’s destiny.
If Easter will ever mean anything to you it is this: Everything that we hope for rests on the Resurrection of Christ. And that same power can do something in you. Romans 8:11 says “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
Because of Easter you can come back from the darkest failure. Because of Easter God will look over you to protect your destiny. And because of Easter we are saved and alive forevermore.
We have hope
Brilliantly said and Wow does the Holy Spirit speak through you Mario! Thanks for all… that you do for the Kingdom of God to bring Life & Hope through your anointed messages.
You are Loved & Prayed for always!
I sure needed to be reminded of that. I’ve been in a very dark season of broken hope, heart, and spirit. I have to imagine Him calling my name…or I’m lost.
Hallelujah! HE is RISEN!
This is so eloquently said and so encouraging to us as believers and as well for sinners to know that they have hope to come to Christ. We as God’s sons and daughters have the hope and assurance to witness to others through the power of Easter.
Hallelujah Jesus is Lord!!
Well said Mario.
Everything well said . Blessings Mario Murillo. Love following you and Todd on Firepower. 🔥
Holy Spirit led mi.istry.
Thank you for the very encouraging words! It blessed me so much thus early morning.
He’s Alive! And so our we, for His Kingdom and Glory! Hallelujah
I pray again and again for your good strong health and strength dear brother Mario.
God mightily uses you over and over.
I got saved in 1979 and have followed you ever since.
You’re a faithful and true servant of our Jesus.
Because of Jesus I can hope again. He is my,All in All
THANK YOU FATHER GOD FOR Jesus 🙏🙌💓
Oh How I Love Jesus Christ my Savior my Everything 🙌🏼🙋🏻♀️🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️♥️♥️♥️
Yeshua Forever more in my Heart my Soul n my whole Being🙌🏼
Hallelujah
Absolutely awesome, thank you!
AMEN!! Happy Resurrection! Be blessed in the power of God’s love. He is truly risen from the dead and is alive!
WONDERFUL
GLORY!!!
Brother Mario,you always know when to show up, as we all watch people murdering other people all over the world, but with leadership of dedicated leaders like you who won’t give up teaching HIS HOLY plan in the Bible, WE continue to pray
and boldly speak the Holy Word
Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Well written and great revelation on Peter’s position. Thank you.
This message gives me hope.
I have felt like Peter.
Thank you.
Believing God will resurrect my life this Easter and restore His Righteousness and Peace and Joy in my mind and body and get me on to His Good Purpose and Plan for His Glory.
To take away all loneliness and despair.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name.
Amen.
Thanking God for you Mario.
God bless you!
Thank you God for Easter and second chances. God bless you Mario.
Hallelujah 🙌Thank you Heavenly Father for your precious Son Jesus and all that you are in my life🙏❤️
“Those who are forgiven the most, love the most”
Our GLORIOUS SAVIOR LIVES❣️❣️❣️
Let’s love on HIM, all HIS forgiven children❣️❣️❣️
HE is Worthy of all our Worship🙌👏🙌
Glory to God! Our King is alive!
Preach it, Brother Murillo.
Yes!!! He is the Victorious Savior who is for everyone who accepts His Gift!
This is such a good word of what Jesus called and gives us the power to do. Praise God Jesus lives
So beautiful Mario. Great analysis that I will share at Easter dinner. Thank you
Thank you for this sweet story. I’m reminded of my failures but Jesus lifted me up from the miry clay. I’m forever grateful and I praise him daily.
It almost seems that this happening of denial was and is for multitudes to realize forgiveness and ” come and dine, The MASTERS calling, come ,and dine…HE IS RISEN…Shalom Shalom
Great message Mario! Happy resurrection weekend and thank you for all you do for the Kingdom!
This blog was SO HEARTFELT!
I never thought about the words “and Peter” before!
WHAT A REVELATION!
Thank you for sharing!
Yes, because of Easter, we all can come back from failure!
Praise God and the Finished Work of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Blessings to you and your ministry!
Awesome! Anointed insight,perfectly written. Applies to all of us.
Thank you. That was so good.
“It is no secret what God can do, what HE’s done for others HE can do for you. With heart wide open, HE will pardon you.”
HE Jesus did it for me in March 1943 at 7 going on 8. Halleluyah what a Saviour.
Hallelujah Jesus!!!
Your Love and forgiveness is absolutely incomprehensible!
May this be the day many will come boldly to The Throne of Grace fully surrendered to Jesus, completely restored to Abba Father and baptized in Holy Spirit, fully equipped spiritual weapons for the advancement of His Kingdom!!!!!!!!!
An excellent message of redemption!!
Thank you, Mario, for all that you do in spread the Gospel and in making disciples of all people.
Happy Resurrection Day!!
Amen! The power and flow of your words are inspiring! Only if all would hear and believe!
Thank you! I felt led by the Spirit to ignore my son’s demand: “Don’t speak to my child about God.” I sent an artistic envelope painted with the: Empty tomb. I explained was Easter was a celebration of to my grandson in. Sweden. That was four or five years ago. My son blocked me on Facebook Messenger and stopped doing FaceTime with me. My grandson is nine. I send cards and presents, but I don’t ever receive a response from either of them. I miss them. My parents and my brother passed. My family of origin are all gone. I live alone and work with people who are no longer able to do things in their homes. Remember me in your prayers, but especially my son, and grandson. Thank you!
Angela. Landrum
My heart goes out to you, Angela.i I wet through something similar with my son. Don’t ever give upon praying for your son. Godcan turn his heart. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. I will pray for your son. My son returned to the Lord moments before he passed 5 years ago.
I am praying for your situation, Angela! I pray that the mighty power of the Spirit of God falls upon your son and awakens him to the error of his ways. I pray that he experience, through the resurrection power of Jesus, a mighty resurrection within himself to a life filled with Christ and His saving grace.
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Luke 1:37 KJV.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 KJV
Surrender this to our Heavenly Father and then and trust Him to work this out for good. May God’s peace and comfort be upon you!
Beautiful Points in succession of God taking care of everything. Pressed into the arms of prayer and Jesus, purpose begins again. It compelled me to look up “Galilee”. One meaning was a “circle of Life energy”. Imagine that, being sent to meet Jesus.
No matter what you call it, you beautifully brought forth that Life in Christ and Life in calling begin with the resurrection.
I looked at the steps Peter moved through, and I could see Jesus pulling us into that place of listening, being more prayerful and courageous.
Thanks Mario
Thanks Mario, I needed that. Praise God that he is the God of second chances!
Spending the weekend with Mom. We just read this. Perfect way to start the day! Tears from both of us! Thank you!! 🙏
Amazing love how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I am amazed each day how I am changed from lost and bound to lost then found. To the risen Saviour I bow!
Love your ministry and all you do for His Kingdom!
These blogs are a blessing to the point I feel like I just got out of church! PTL!
Our Living Hope! Thank You Jesus!
Thank you so much for your blessed words! They lifted my spirits and made me whole!
Deeply meaningful! I believe Mario must have been as blessed to receive and share this powerful message as I am to have read it. And further blessed by the readers’ loving comments. Thank you. And thank You!
Thank you for explaining what it meant when Jesus called the disciples and explicitly said “ and Peter”. Peter. That was me. I’ve believed a lie for so many years. The word says me and my household shall serve the Lord. I thought that wasn’t possible. What a lie. Thank you 🙏 🇨🇦
“and Peter” never saw that but Peter did deny Jesus 3 times ” Matthew 10:33
But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Then Jesus questions Peters “love” 3 times because he denied Jesus 3 times also John 21:15
All Glory To GOD ALMIGHTY! Praised Be YOU LORD JESUS My KING… HALLELUJAH!!!
Hello Brother Mario! Great message as always. Praying always for you and your family and the AWESOME ministry you have in making JESUS known to the four corners of the Earth! May God continue to bless and anoint you the more!!
In Christ alone!!🙏🔥
You’re a blessed man Mario! I remember hearing you around 1983 during one of the Christian festivals or maybe Times Square church. You were anointed then as you are now. God has blessed you and continues to use you. Blessed be the name of the Lord! The righteous run into Him and are saved!
In Christ, Diane.
Amen,
What a wonderful, merciful, savior is our Lord Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus and Father God for the gift of Salvation through Jesus.
Thank you Holy Spirit I am no longer an orphan, no longer alone.
Thank you, Mario, for speaking the TRUTH.
Good word! Oh, the love and mercy of God towards us sinners!
Hallelujah He lives!
Happy Resurrection Day to all!
I have so much more respect and love for Peter. That burden and shame he carried was certainly a death sentence if satan had his way. But he didn’t, he lost! Thank you Jesus, Adonai great thanks for your endless mercy and unfailing love once again shown through your kindness and spirit. Amen!