David Bahn – Reflections

John 20:8-10 (Click to read John 19:38-20:18)

Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; ⁹for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. ¹⁰Then the disciples went back to their homes.

We live in a story much larger than we can even imagine. Experiences and events unfold that seem to have profound implications yet these are only slivers of eternity. Only by the power of Holy Spirit inspired faith can we begin to touch the hem of God’s eternal story centered in Jesus.

As Peter and John raced to the tomb surely their minds were also racing to put the pieces together. What had really happened? Where was Jesus’ body? What were the implications of this latest turn of events? What further humiliation awaited Jesus’ followers? Even when they saw the empty tomb and the burial clothes they still did not comprehend the full implications of what they were seeing. John believed, but they did not understand the Scriptures.

How true this is for us today! On the one hand this is a good reminder to us in the face of disappointment, suffering and trial: We don’t know the whole story. We see and experience only slivers of eternity; the full story of our redemption has not been played out. We must not draw conclusions based on our limited knowledge or understanding. We must not put a period where God has placed only a comma.

On the other hand this is a great encouragement: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Where do you need such encouragement? What periods have you placed in God’s story that He would have marked with a comma? God’s story of redemption and all its implications are yet unfolding. In the end truth, justice, life and salvation will flow down from His throne. Those who love Jesus will delight in the glories of His kingdom forever.