As I read the Gospels these days I find the ideas and thoughts of Jesus to be more revolutionary than I ever realized. Jesus teachings were radical not only in his time and culture, but they remain that way to this day in any culture. The biggest reason for that can be summed up in one word. Grace.

For an example take Jesus reaction to Peter's betrayal. Here is a man who not only didn't stand by Jesus during the worst time of his life, but denied even knowing him three times. I can't fathom how much it would hurt for someone you love to do that.

Can you imagine how Peter must have felt when Jesus appeared to him after the resurrection? Peter is face to face with someone for whom he once claimed he would lay down his life. He had completely failed to live up to those words. The shame and guilt he felt at that moment must have been overwhelming. He was probably expecting Jesus to berate him, and truthfully Jesus would have had every right to do so. He would have had the right to look and Peter and say:

"I don't think I could have been more wrong about you. You know that thing I said about you being the rock on which I would build my church? You turned that into a big joke didn't you. I would prefer that you just go on claiming to not know me. It couldn't possibly hurt me any worse than you already have. I don't need friends like you."

That isn't what Jesus did though.

He asked Peter a question. He simply asked "Do you love me?"

I'm sure Peter was hesitant on how to respond. Even though he loved Jesus a response of yes would have left him open to Jesus asking him why he betrayed him if he loved him. He probably didn't want hear that. So, he gave an answer that was a cop out. If you were to translate Peters response into modern English what he said was probably something along the lines of: "Well, I really like you."

Jesus could see the pain and guilt Peter felt. He knew that is where the answer came from. Jesus never doubted Peter's love despite his mistake, albeit a very big mistake. He didn't ask the question to make Peter hurt. So, Jesus asked him again. "Do you love me?"

Again Peter is scared to answer with a pledge of full love. So he says something along the lines of this. "I love you like a brother."

Unwilling to let Peter live with his guilt Jesus asked him again. This time Peter told him that he did. Jesus response was simply four little words. "Then feed my sheep."

Maybe that response seems somehow incomplete. It always seemed to me that Jesus should have told Peter that he loved him too. Then I realized something. For Peter Jesus said that and more. It didn't just let him know that Jesus still loved him, but those four little words eradicated his guilt and shame. How is that you may be asking?

Jesus was telling Peter that he still wanted him to take on the calling to which he originally committed. That said it all. It told Peter he was still loved. It told Peter that Jesus understood and was holding no grudge. It let him know that Jesus still considered him the rock upon which he would build his church.

That is revolutionary and radical. Jesus looked beyond Peters failure and showed him love. Jesus pushed aside his own hurt feelings and showed mercy that was unwarranted. By showing such wondrous grace Jesus took Peter's weakness and used it show him the love and grace he had been trying to explain to him all along.

By the way Peter's story doesn't end there. Peter went on to be one of those instrumental in spreading the message of Christ. History tells us that it emboldened him so much that he did in fact die for Jesus. During Roman persecution of Christians Peter was sentenced to death for the cause of Christ. Peter was sentenced to die of crucifixion just like Jesus.

Peter's story is a great example of what happens when we finally start to catch just the slightest glimpse of that love, that grace, and that mercy. It truly transforms us into a new creation. We find a way past our failures, insecurities, and guilt. We can lean on that grace with complete confidence that in our weakness he is strong.