Running But Outrun
So Peter and the other disciple headed for the tomb. The two were running side by side, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and came to the tomb first. He bent over and looked inside the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there but didn’t go inside. Simon Peter arrived after him and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there. He also saw the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t lying with the strips of linen but was rolled up separately. Then the other disciple, who arrived at the tomb first, went inside. He saw and believed. They didn’t know yet what Scripture meant when it said that Jesus had to come back to life. So the disciples went back home.
-John 20:3-10
I was struck recently by these verses. The news of Jesus resurrection motivated Peter and John to action. They evidenced their desire to authenticate truth by their feet. Belief inspired change, displacement, and careful study of the evidence.
The search for truth seems to be a lost art. Men and women everywhere scan the Internet out of personal interest. A spiritual devotion to passionate verification of the gospel is quickly fading, being replaced by technology and mediated religion.
Renewal by action-oriented and Jesus-seeking believers is refreshing. We all should be doing it.
When I see someone running to the tomb, I want to get up and run with that person. In fact, I want to be the first one there. I don’t like being outrun.
What a great service we can do for others by reminding them that one of the best ways to inspire faith is to find a running partner and head for where Jesus is, or, in this case, the last place you saw him.
It is quite a testimony to Peter that his then recent failure and denial did not stop him from running to the tomb. Personal tragedy, compromise, doubt, and public disgrace did not give him leg cramps. He ran to the tomb.
Sure, the more faithful John outran him. That is the case usually, as it should be. Purity excels sin. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” John got the first glimpse. However, Peter the recent failure had the boldness to go into the tomb.
There is a certain abandon of those whose lives are marked by tragedy and failure that they are bold to enter the presence of Jesus. They have nothing else to lose.
Peter went right into the tomb to verify for himself what had taken place with the funeral wraps. John came in later.
However, where were the other ten disciples?
When the report comes to me that Jesus is at work, I sure hope I am not off brooding somewhere. I want to be the first to the tomb. If someone beats me there, and I doubt they will, I will surely be the first to verify the head wraps.
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