Running

John 20  1-18v v2 “She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lords body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him.!”

Mary went to the tomb early, whilst it was still dark. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lords body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him.!” Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running. The other disciple got there first and looked in, Peter when he got there went straight in and the other disciple followed. He saw and believed. Then they went home. Mary was outside the tomb crying. Two angels inside the tomb asked her why was she crying? She turned to leave and saw Jesus, but thought He was the gardener. He called Mary by name, and she turned and cried “Rabboni” Mary found the disciples and told them she had seen Jesus.

It’s a great game we play with our grandchildren. They run around from our kitchen to the living area, which is a circle; we start chasing them, then stop and catch them when they come around the corner. Lots of laughter erupts every time. It’s like a new revelation, running into the arms of someone you love and who loves you.

Here the Easter story concludes, not with the death of Jesus but with Mary running to tell the disciples that Jesus’s dead body is gone. Her natural conclusion that dead bodies don’t move by themselves led her to believe that someone took Him. Running towards someone they had loved they found Him gone. The disciples understood what Jesus had told them, that He would be raised from the dead. Mary was still crying. Grief can blind us to good things going on around us. She talked to angels, hardly registering the wonder of the moment. Have you because of your grief missed the love of those close to you helping you to understand that love never dies? Then Mary saw the gardener, who else would it be early in the morning around the grave? Then He said her name. She responded “teacher” and went back to tell her friends the good news. Christ is alive, standing by each one of us, calling our name. How will you respond today? Whatever you decide go and tell your friends.

Prayer: Heavenly Father as we come face to face with the risen Christ help us to respond as He calls our name. To reach out to others with the good news as we run towards His love. Amen.