Exit Our Tombs

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 

When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. (John 20:1-8)

Curious reading selection for today so soon after Christmas.  We jump from the cradle to the tomb.  Such is life: we are born and then we die.  We hope much will be accomplished during all the intervening years, such as loving and living a faith-filled life.  

Many of us are closer to the tomb than the womb.  Nevertheless, it is never too late to be like Mary Magdalene or Peter.  We all run to Jesus with some of us getting to him – having faith in him – faster than many others.  Some of us see just burial cloths.  Some of us see the risen Christ.  

We see and believe when we exit the tomb and look around at all that is beautiful and surrounding us.  God’s creation is a vista all of us are privileged to see and appreciate.  During this Christmas season let’s look and see the goodness of the Lord – goodness we all share together provided we uncover our own heads and open our eyes.

Deacon David Pierce