On the edge of my mind

Behind him came Simon Peter, and he went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there and the cloth which had been around Jesus’ head. It was not lying with the linen wrappings but was rolled up by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed: (They still did not understand the scripture which said that he must rise from death.)(verses 6-9)

Read John 20: 1-18

The race to the tomb is also a race to understanding. They stand on the edge of that understanding. John believes… but what, I wonder. And Peter? Maybe for him understanding hovers that little further away on the edge of his mind.

This is how it is within the Christian community: God’s children all over the place in their understanding of him, his word, his love in Jesus. I’m sure you know what it is like to be fuzzy in your understanding of this or that about the faith. Things that are unclear, elusive. Something on the verge of breaking through, tantalisingly close, yet not quite there.

Patience – that’s what we need. Patience with those who are in a different place from us and wrestling with their own questions. Patience with ourselves as we do our own growing. Patience with the Spirit of God as he gradually unfolds for us the mysteries of grace in Jesus.

Lord Jesus, make alive in me those truths which are on the edge of my mind, so that I may more fully live in your resurrection life. Amen.

by Bob Kempe, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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