Happy Resurrection Day
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) John 20:3-9 NIV
This is a really funny part of the story of the resurrection. John, the apostle, is writing the story, but is recording it in third person. He and Peter hear that the tomb is empty, so they both take off to look at the tomb for themselves.
John says they are both running, grown men. Competitive guys. John wants everyone to know that he outran Peter and was the first one to the tomb. He was faster but hesitated at the door. Peter was braver and went into the empty tomb, first. John was more spiritually sensitive, entered the tomb and believed first. Both were still slow to understand the scriptures that Jesus needed to die…especially for them.
Everyone is at a different place in their pursuit of Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Let’s give people grace for their slowness, but keep pointing them toward Jesus.
- Nine disciples heard the tomb was empty and stayed home. There will be some that are indifferent to the message of the good news that Jesus is alive
- Some like John make it to the tomb first, but hesitate. Don’t become discouraged because someone seems to be close to becoming a follower but is stopping for some reason. Maybe it is fear for themselves or what others may think. Maybe all their answers haven’t come into alignment. Maybe they wrongly think that they have to become a better person in order for Jesus to receive them. Maybe they are holding on to a belief that there is still another way to Jesus besides the empty tomb, receiving forgiveness for their sins and following His life.
- Some like Peter are standing in the tomb and still can’t figure it out. They have read books, heard a gospel presentation, experienced first hand God’s goodness, but they still cannot make the connections. Let God’s timing lead them. Jesus may still have some unfinished business about receiving true forgiveness about some events in their past. Maybe they have to forgive others in order to receive that jesus loves them just as they are.
- All need the Scriptures for understanding. We point people to Jesus by using the Word of God. People are hungry for eternal life, they just don’t know, see, or understand that this life is found in Jesus, alone. Also, the Scriptures reveal that Jesus died collectively for us as well as individually. All have sinned and are in need of a Savior.
Pam and I took some time this morning to pray for the salvation of our grandchildren. We also remembered those who were instrumental in our own salvation. We thanked the Lord for the Sunday School teachers who shared the stories of Jesus for us as children using books and flannel boards. These were regular people, sharing the good news of Jesus life. These were people passing on their faith to the next generation. These were people of “no importance” in the world’s standards, but impact makers in God’s economy.
Each teacher, each story, each sermon lead us along our path to making a decision to become a follower of Jesus. The Holy Spirit brought us to the convicting dividing line…to become a following believer in Jesus as our Savior or reject His offer and pursue life without Him. We chose Jesus after multiple presentations of His life.
Don’t grow weary for those who are still running and trying to understand who Jesus really is. Keep praying for the impact of the Word that has been shared and the wooing conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Be blessed with Joy on this celebration of Resurrection Sunday.
Blessing Love y’all