"So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and 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 disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." John 20:2-4
Had the newspapers written about it, the headlines may have read something like this, "In a race to the tomb of Jesus, John beats Peter in the race of the century!" What a story that would have made and, no doubt, would have been the lead story on the evening news.... especially since John was older and definitely not the favorite to take first. Can you imagine it though? To hear that the stone had been rolled away? To dream that prophecy had been fulfilled and the Savior had risen from the grave? I'm sure John and Peter were up and running within seconds and going as quickly as their sandal adorned feet would carry them, anxious to get there as soon as they could, their hearts racing with anticipation and delight.
John 20:1 tells us, "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb." How excited Mary must have been! She, too, probably ran faster than she ever had to shout the good news, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!" She must have been almost frantic as she reported what she had found to the disciples.
Shouldn't we all be that excited and eager this Easter season to follow the example of Mary? To run and tell someone the wonderful news? It is definitely too good to keep to ourselves.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the joy that you bring to our lives. Your presence is joy, your forgiveness is joy and your resurrection is the ultimate joy. Thank you Jesus for the stone that was rolled away and for the empty tomb that was left as you rose to life on the third day just as you said you would. Thank you for the joy in our hearts. I pray that we would run and tell everyone we know about the reason for our joy today. It's in your precious name we pray,Jesus. Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the joy that you bring to our lives. Your presence is joy, your forgiveness is joy and your resurrection is the ultimate joy. Thank you Jesus for the stone that was rolled away and for the empty tomb that was left as you rose to life on the third day just as you said you would. Thank you for the joy in our hearts. I pray that we would run and tell everyone we know about the reason for our joy today. It's in your precious name we pray,Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
You ought to run and tell that - Bishop Michael V. Kelsey
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