Running Towards Faith
Reading from the gospel of John this morning, I was caught up with something I barely even noticed in the past. I only remember having read that and thinking, why in the world did they include this here? Why does it matter that one outran the other? And if you are like me, there could always be a hidden meaning you're hunting for.
So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going towards the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. John 20: 3–6 ESV
I never really understood the importance of stating that another disciple outran Peter on the way to the tomb. I didn't even imagine that it mattered that someone else was there with him. But it did. And it still does…
Jesus was crucified in the previous chapter (19), and the disciples were suffering in disbelief. They were anguishing for the death of the new way of living that had altogether failed to exist.
At this point, when Mary comes and tells them what happened to her at the tomb, they struggle to walk out of their non-believing-funk. Not everyone receives what she is saying. Remember Thomas?
But a few of them do listen, and they see traces of faith. And as soon as they believed, they dropped everything and ran towards the tomb.
Don't Face Grief Alone
That takes us right back to the beginning. Where they were running. Bear with me going to a fro here for a moment folks, because this matters. It matters when in the midst of our grief and pain we hear that God is working. It matters when we leave everything behind us because we heard it, and it matters all the more, when others around us join us in that journey.
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift his fellow. Ecc 4:9,10
Threefold Cord
Now, when the two are helping each other out, sometimes they will outrun one another. It is hardly possible that two people would be able to run a race at the exact same pace. But it is becuase they are at different paces, that they can help each other. They can be an encouragement. They can lift each other up if one falls down.
The way I see it, running towards the tomb becomes a race towards faith when death suddenly ceases life. Consider this: when one outruns the other, it causes the second runner to try and keep up. The same way, when the first to arrive can't bear going into the tomb, his fellow will do just that. And that is when in the story, one of them truly belived.
It was only because the first believed, that his partner dares to come right after, and start believing too. I doesn't matter who got there first, but it matters that there were two. It matters that they made it there.
What if the other disciple ran alone? What if he made it all the way there, to step back at the end? What if he never saw Peter walking in and believing? Would he have believed?
You and I, friends, play an amazing role at each other's lives. We can be living evidence of His work, helping others to find faith.
I guess my point today is that there is beauty in grieving together. The loss of a person, a dream, a project… Whatever type of grief it may be. Because that is also when you will take His word to heart, and notice Him when He starts working again. Once two people see the same thing happening, there is a witness of what God is doing. There is no room for denial.
The book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that the house of mourning is also where we apply death to heart and consider our living before God. So my prayer for you and I today, is for this race towards faith.
Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe. John 20:25
May you take the first step. May you start running or keep up with another's steps there, even today. Because when you don't run, you miss out.
Thomas didn't get to see Jesus when He first came back resurrected. It was only eight days later that Jesus came to him. He missed some of that precious and very short time with the Lord. Thankfully, his unbelief only costed him those eight days. But I love that the Bible also teaches us this lesson, so we can choose not to waste time.
I am hoping you and I have a terrific race towards the tomb this week. And I pray the Lord sends someone else to outrun you on the way.
