“Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on these things.”
Philippians 4:8
In John we read about Peter and John three days after Jesus’ crucifixion going to the tomb. What were they thinking about as they ran? One might expect them to be thinking about resurrection since they had experienced Lazarus raised from the dead, they had witnessed the transfiguration and heard that voice from heaven now more than once, “This is my beloved Son . . .” They had heard Jesus himself say many times that after three days and three nights he would rise from the dead.
The passage recounts in much detail what they were thinking:
John 20:3 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple (John) outran Peter, and reached the tomb first. Then Simon Peter came following him . . .
I’ve never understood why it’s important for me to know that John outran Peter as they raced to the tomb. Okay, so this is maybe not the forum to resolve that question but perhaps it’s worthwhile considering what’s on our mind as we seek our risen Lord.
Is our race toward the kingdom one of mindfulness or mindlessness? Are we thinking about the trail? How we compare with other racers? How hard we trained? The pebble in our shoe? Or are we filled with an image of what it will be like to cross the finish line?
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
1 Corinthians 9:24
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