One of my favorite parts of the resurrection story is when the angel gives instructions to the women at Jesus’ tomb to tell the disciples that Jesus has gone into town ahead of them.  Only that’s not exactly what the angel said.  The exact words were, “tell his disciples and Peter” (Mark 16:7a, emphasis added).  If you know the story of Peter, then you know that he had promised never to betray Jesus or to leave His side.  You know that Peter but off the ear of the high priest’s servant.  You know that Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, and he went away weeping bitterly.  And there the angel was, extending grace – Go tell Peter it’s okay.  Jesus came back to life.  If you have walked away from Jesus and wondered if you can return, the answer is a resounding “YES!”  It’s true that Peter failed in fulfilling his expectations for himself and that he had denied Jesus in a crucial moment, but Jesus’ arms of forgiveness were wide enough to embrace Peter just as they are wide enough to embrace you.  His sins had not separated him from God forever as long as he was willing to return.  What an incredible message of hope for us!  We, too, have such an incredible opportunity.