A Second Look

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. John 20:3-8

I had the pleasure this past Easter Sunday to attend Paul Ann Baptist Church in San Angelo. It is always a blessing to me to be able to attend when I am in town, and to know without a doubt that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be preached. Kirt Dauphin closed out his sermon series on the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life http://www.paulann.org/sermons/index.html. It was a fitting end, knowing that the 24 hours leading to Jesus’ death which ended at the cross, were not his last! As the great Easter saying goes, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming,” and the resurrection of Jesus Christ is what gives us hope of eternal life in heaven. Death has been defeated, Satan is powerless over those who put their faith and trust in the one who defeated Satan.

As I listened to Kirt recite once again the wonderful news of the resurrection and of Peter and John running to the tomb where Jesus had been laid, he made a statement that I really had never thought of. “The stone was rolled away so we could see, not because Jesus needed a way to get out.” Jesus just a few verses later appears in the midst of his disciples even though the doors were locked. In John 20:8 we understand that both the disciples that ran to the tomb looked in and saw the strips of cloth laying in the empty tomb. However, in v 8 we see that the disciple that just looked in, without entering in, needed a second look in order to believe.

Even though scripture goes on to say that at that point they didn’t fully understand the resurrection, it begs us to pause and take a second look. For many people understanding all that Jesus Christ did for us through the cross, and resurrection, is difficult to grasp and fully understand. For Thomas, it was the same way. Scripture tells us that he also needed a more thorough look. Thomas wouldn’t believe till he could see and touch Jesus. We don’t have that luxury, since we know that Jesus has already ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19). But Jesus does have something to say for those who will choose in this life to take a second look, and believe in him, “Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The opportunity is yours, “seek the Lord while he may be found” (Isaiah 55:6). Jesus isn’t asking you to go die for him tomorrow. All he is asking is that you take the first step, and just look a little deeper. The promise remains for you,

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

That church you were in on Easter Sunday, go back, take a second look and step in a little deeper…

Study to know Him,