John 20:2-8 NRSVue
2So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed,
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Reflection on John 20:2-8
Inspiration from 2025-12-27 Daily Prayer
On this, the feast of John the Evangelist, we might take time out to think of and pray for people who come into our lives and have the power or gift of bringing us rays of sunshine and hope when moments of surrounding gloom may threaten to engulf us. In art, we often see John portrayed as a younger figure, sticking close to Peter when the elder man needs some shaft of energy or enthusiasm to keep him from falling or drowning.
You can almost see the two racing towards the tomb after they have spoken to Mary Magdalen. We imagine a gentle breeze blowing on the grey embers surrounding their hearts as they hurry along.
Further reflection
Still celebrating the great feast of Christmas, we are invited to run with Peter and the beloved disciples to the empty tomb.
The two disciples "saw and believed". Can I allow myself to be drawn into the same response of faith?
They "knew" then, that Jesus was alive and would be with them forever. Looking at my life in late December 2001, can I open myself to the same reality?
John recreates the moment when the world was suddenly changed for him. He remembers the baffling message of Mary Magdalene, the frantic Sunday morning race to the tomb, bending down to look into the dark space, seeing the burial clothes doffed and neatly arranged on the stones, allowing Simon Peter to go in first; then the awesome sense that death had met its victor.
Lord, for me as for John, the belief in your resurrection changes life. I believe that you conquered death, and promise us the same victory. John saw and believed. I have not seen, but I live by that faith.