I was fascinated by the passage in John 20 during our church's Easter sermon yesterday. If I'm being honest, I think I've often overlooked this particular passage and skipped to the more well-known verses following Christ's resurrection. However, the following verses felt as if they were jumping off the page at me yesterday:
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus'[a] head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed
Oh, Peter. I can so relate with Peter. I absolutely hate running, and the Army did its best to develop that love/hate relationship, but it's just not my thing. For some reason, the military developed this unspoken mentality that the faster you run, the better leader you are. Peter knew he wasn't the fastest, but yet he ran with heart (courage).
Peter didn't let his physical limitations dictate his level of participation. In fact, the other disciple arrived at the tomb first, but yet he didn't have the courage to enter. Peter, though not the fastest, had the courage to enter the tomb - and his courage to enter led the other disciple to a beautiful discovery.
A few thoughts on this:
Peter knew his limitations but ran with conviction, regardless
Peter's actions modeled courage for others
Peter's courage led to greater clarity - Initially, the faster, more fleet-footed disciple saw from the periphery that Jesus' linen cloths were lying inside. However, his lack of willingness to enter (perhaps fear, uncertainty, or indecision) led to an incomplete conclusion. It was only upon Peter's arrival and entry into the tomb that they discovered the linen cloths were folded and not just tossed around like a teenager looking for a pair of socks.
Peter's courage led to other's belief
Regardless of our physical abilities or the degree of our giftings, I think that Jesus cares more about our determination than our disposition. He is more concerned with our endurance than our efficiency; more interested in our conviction than our competency.
Whether you run, play, work, or serve - let it be done with the participation of a full heart.
Just don't ask me to train for a marathon with you.
Commentaires