John 20:3 – 9 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
Who wrote this passage? John? Yes, that’s what I thought. Before we get into the meat of this passage, I must point out that we can learn a lot about John from his words here.
Let’s read it again, shall we?
So Peter and the other disciple (John) started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
Hmmmm . . . is it possible our beloved John was just a teensy bit competitive? 😉
This passage contains important evidence that Jesus was resurrected. The grave linens were still there. Honestly, if you had been a grave robber, would you have taken off the dead person’s clothes, folded them up, and left them behind? No. Of course not. You would have grabbed what you came for and gotten out of there as quickly as possible. Besides, we know that Jesus’ tomb was heavily guarded.
No, no one came and stole Jesus’ body. He was risen, just like He promised. When Peter and John saw the evidence, they knew. Jesus was alive!
Jesus made many promises. To me, the fact that He died and then rose again on the third day – just as He promised – is evidence that He will keep all of His other promises as well! After all, if He could conquer death, He can do anything. He can, and He will.
Here are just a few of His promises:
James 4:8 – He will stay near to us.
James 1:5 – He will give us wisdom.
1 John 1:9 – He will forgive us.
Matthew 11:28 – He will give us rest.
Luke 6:35 – He will reward us for doing what is right.
John 14:3 – He’s coming back to get us.
1 John 5:14 – 15 – He will do as we ask, when we align our requests with His will.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – He will protect us.
The list goes on and on. We can know, friends. We don’t have to wonder if He will keep any of these promises. We can claim them, and know that He will honor His Word. He said He’d die and live again, and He did. He always keeps His promises.
Dear Jesus, Thank You for Your promises. Please remind me to live by them.
Amen
I don’t know whether you’ve heard this beforemRenae, but according to ancient Jewish custom, a napkin thrown down on the table meant that you had finished with the meal. If the napkin was folded up and placed by the plate, it meant ‘I’ve not finished – I’m coming back’!
A connection, do you think?
Oh, that’s an excellent connection, Jackie! So, he folded his linens. He’s coming back! Thanks for sharing that.
Renae, thanks for the reminder of Jesus’ precious promises. It did my heart good just reading them. And neat little insight about John’s competitiveness. I’d never thought of that before!
Thanks, Cheryl! Actually, my husband noticed that about John a long time ago. Must be a guy thing! 🙂
Dear Renae,
Don’t we all love that somewhat childish aspect about the Gospel of John.
He talks about himself as the disciple that Jesus loved, the disciple who laid nearest to the heart of Jesus (The Lord’s Supper), and he who stood by (the crucifixion).
It also makes his testimony all the more trustworthy.
He was there to witness about his Master, but he also had the need to tell all the world,
“I was loved by Jesus.”
That urge should be in all of us.
Have a blessed Lord’s Day.
From Felisol
Hi Felisol! I was just thinking of you – and then I saw your comment! 🙂 Yes, I love that about John. And I love, too, that we see a real difference in him – in his maturity, perhaps? Between the Gospel of John, then later in 1 – 3 John, then finally in Revelation. We watch a young man grow to be an old man, and his growing wisdom reflects that.
Good point about him telling everyone that he was loved by Jesus. In 1 – 3 John he talks about love – that God is love, that we should love one another. You’re right. We should tell everyone, “I am loved by Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!” Thank you for sharing that.
(((hugs)))