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24 March 2008
Word on the Web
John 20 v 1-9
Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark. When she saw that the large stone had been moved away from the tomb, she ran to Simon Peter and the follower whom Jesus loved. Mary said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him."
So Peter and the other follower started for the tomb. They were both running, but the other follower ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down and looked in and saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, but he did not go in. Then following him, Simon Peter arrived and went into the tomb and saw the strips of linen lying there. He also saw the cloth that had been around Jesus' head, which was folded up and laid in a different place from the strips of linen. Then the other follower, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. He saw and believed. (They did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from the dead.)
There's some running going on in this passage! Could that be because the resurrection of Jesus energises the weary and the grief-stricken? I love the way Peter, true to character, goes straight into the tomb to investigate while the other two appear to show a certain amount of reserve or perhaps fearful respect. Imagine the three of them, out of breath, confused and trying to work out where Jesus is.
It's not uncommon. How about you? Are you in a dark place, exhausted or unable to work out where God is? If so, allow yourself time to see there are some pointers. If not, try to be that pointer for someone.
There is also a sense of order and time here. Those grave clothes haven't been hurriedly discarded, they've been neatly folded and placed so rest assured this indestructible, risen Christ, the Lord of time itself, is waiting for each of us to search for Him. He knows that for each of us there is a correct time. Some run to Him fast and freely, some limp along in pain while the best some can do is stretch out a hand. As long as our intent is to follow Jesus out of that tomb, we have the promise that we will encounter what we are seeking.
Jesus, thank you that you have risen from death. Please breathe new life into the place I need it most. Teach me to see where you are and not focus on where you were. Amen.
Written by Hil Jennings
Word on the Web
John 20 v 1-9
Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark. When she saw that the large stone had been moved away from the tomb, she ran to Simon Peter and the follower whom Jesus loved. Mary said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him."
So Peter and the other follower started for the tomb. They were both running, but the other follower ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down and looked in and saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, but he did not go in. Then following him, Simon Peter arrived and went into the tomb and saw the strips of linen lying there. He also saw the cloth that had been around Jesus' head, which was folded up and laid in a different place from the strips of linen. Then the other follower, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. He saw and believed. (They did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from the dead.)
There's some running going on in this passage! Could that be because the resurrection of Jesus energises the weary and the grief-stricken? I love the way Peter, true to character, goes straight into the tomb to investigate while the other two appear to show a certain amount of reserve or perhaps fearful respect. Imagine the three of them, out of breath, confused and trying to work out where Jesus is.
It's not uncommon. How about you? Are you in a dark place, exhausted or unable to work out where God is? If so, allow yourself time to see there are some pointers. If not, try to be that pointer for someone.
There is also a sense of order and time here. Those grave clothes haven't been hurriedly discarded, they've been neatly folded and placed so rest assured this indestructible, risen Christ, the Lord of time itself, is waiting for each of us to search for Him. He knows that for each of us there is a correct time. Some run to Him fast and freely, some limp along in pain while the best some can do is stretch out a hand. As long as our intent is to follow Jesus out of that tomb, we have the promise that we will encounter what we are seeking.
Jesus, thank you that you have risen from death. Please breathe new life into the place I need it most. Teach me to see where you are and not focus on where you were. Amen.
Written by Hil Jennings
