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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]John 20:1-8
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 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 came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
There are emotions that run our hearts ragged. Like John, we reach the place where Jesus is, and we hesitate to go in. Like Peter, we barge ahead but leave with unanswered questions. Like Mary, we stand outside broken, fearful, and weeping. But when the resurrected Lord calls our name, His voice is unmistakable.
There are sounds that distract us. “Peter, Peter, what do you see in there?” “John, look for yourself!” “Let’s go tell the others.” “Woman, why are you crying?” But when the resurrected Lord calls our name, His voice cuts through the noise.
There are places that distance us from each other. Mary went alone to the tomb but found it empty. The younger John outran Peter. The bolder Peter went directly inside the tomb. Both Peter and John hurried back to the others. Mary stayed alone, catching her breath. But when the resurrected Lord calls our name, we slow down and stand still.
There are sights that overload our senses. From television to the billboards on the way to work, from the computer screen to the newspaper, these put our brains on visual overload. Like Mary, we look right at Jesus and miss all that He is doing in our lives and the world around us. But when the resurrected Lord calls our name, He becomes our singular focus.
Are your emotions bouncing off the wall? Are all the sounds distracting you? Is the hurried pace isolating you from others? Are you visually exhausted? Close your eyes. Jesus is alive. The resurrected Lord is here. Listen to His voice.
Lord Jesus, in a world distracting me at every turn, help me hear Your voice. Help me to live in the power of Your resurrection. In Your name. Amen.
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