“Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.” (John 20:4) Peter and John were running to the tomb of Jesus. The news that compelled them seemed too good to be true. Could Jesus really be alive after the unforgettable torture and brutal death he suffered at the hands of the Roman soldiers?
I have thought about this passage many times over the years, imagining the flood of emotions and surge of anticipation that must have risen up in Peter and John. The women, who were the first to see Jesus alive, had reported the story of their encounter with Him. And yet, their testimony went against everything they believed was possible. It not only shook their own worldview, but it also shook their perception of present reality. Certainly these women were mistaken?
Atheists say that Jesus was not raised from the dead because miracles do not happen. Of course, they turn around and say that the universe ‘popped into existence’ out of nothing, and produced life, beauty and intelligence. In the words of an old hunter that recognized foolishness when he heard it, “That dog won’t hunt!” I may have been born at night but it wasn’t last night.
Every year it is estimated that a quarter of a million people visit the garden tomb where Jesus was buried. Think of that…every year a quarter of a million people travel to an empty tomb in Jerusalem—to see NOTHING! However, that ‘nothing’ is a testimony of grand design that echoes the words of the angel years ago, “He is not here, for he has risen.” (Matt. 28:6)
For 2,000 years, men and women have been running to the tomb of Jesus. People with broken hearts, broken relationships, and broken bodies have found out the same truth as Peter and John did. That is, Jesus is alive indeed—He really is. He still forgives sin, heals the broken hearted, heals the sick and leads those who follow Him in the paths of righteousness. He weeps with the hurting, becomes a friend to the lonely, and holds the weak in His all-sufficient hands.
In athletic competitions, we applaud the winner and present trophies for their conquest. We announce their names as the victor of contest. John would have won the crown and applause that day as he and Peter ran to the empty tomb. He was younger, and perhaps lighter than Peter. However, because of the resurrection, they both won. And every person who runs by faith to the empty tomb of Jesus wins. In brokenness or loneliness, heart ache or pain, confusion or lostness, run to the empty tomb. It is as near as a prayer from a humble heart. And don’t worry, it is not a competition. It is simply a race, but it is…the race everyone can win!
