Because Jesus lives we can live for Him!

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples-and Peter-that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” Mark 16:6-7 NKJV
 
When Peter and John were told the tomb was empty they ran to see for themselves. The Apostle whom Jesus loved outran Peter. He arrived at the tomb first. John stopped at the entrance. He allowed Peter to enter first.
 
If the Apostle of love was so anxious to see for himself he outran the more aggressive Peter why did he stop at the entrance of the tomb? Why did he allow Peter to enter first? Why did the angel speaking in these verses mention only Peter by name?
 
Why are these details recorded in the bible? Do they matter?
 
Peter was impulsive bold and brash. He was a man of action. He was a born leader of men. His faith needed to be stretched so he could trust Jesus more than his own strength and abilities.
 
Jesus told Peter he would deny the Lord three times. Peter refused to believe it. When Peter did deny the Lord three times he remembered Jesus’ words. He wept bitterly!
 
John was at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified. He took the Lord’s mother into his home. He loved and cared for her. John suffered a lack of faith just as the other disciples did but he continued to serve Jesus by caring for Mary.
 
The bible does not tell us why John stopped and let Peter enter the tomb first. I choose to believe it was the first step in Peter’s restoration. I believe John set aside his desire to be first because he knew Peter would be strengthened and encouraged if he went first.
 
John was as close to Jesus as he could get when the Lord walked the earth. He was at Jesus feet when the Lord was crucified. He took responsibility for the care and needs of the Lord’s mother. His faith may have wavered but his love for Jesus did not!
 
There are people all around us who need our love, encouragement and compassion!
 
Our bustling economy has gone bust. People are falling ill at an alarming rate. We should not live in fear of the pandemic. We should not minimize it either. What should we do? Stand in faith! Do not give in to fear! Use wisdom! Trust Jesus more than ever!
 
Jesus is at the right hand of the Father praying for us just as He prayed for Peter 2,000 years ago. What is the Lord praying for? I believe the Lord is praying that our faith would bear fruit. Jesus is praying for the church to serve Him by serving others!
 
The tomb is empty. Jesus rose from the grave!
 
Because Jesus lives we can live for Him!
 
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