What can we learn from John's hesitation to enter the tomb immediately? Setting the Scene John 20:5: “He bent down and looked in at the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.” John arrived first at the empty tomb, outrunning Peter (John 20:4), yet he paused at the entrance. That brief hesitation, tucked into a single verse, offers rich insight for our walk with Christ. What the Pause Reveals • Reverence for the Holy – John had just witnessed the most momentous event in history. Stepping into the tomb where the Lord’s body had lain was no casual act. – Exodus 3:5: “Do not come any closer… the place where you are standing is holy ground.” John’s instinct echoes Moses’ caution before the burning bush. • Humility before Certainty – Though John loved Jesus deeply (John 13:23), he recognized the limits of his understanding in that moment. – Proverbs 19:2: “Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever hurries his footsteps misses the mark.” His pause safeguarded him from reckless assumptions. • Contemplation before Action – The disciple stopped long enough to notice the linen cloths. Details matter when God is teaching us something new. – Proverbs 18:13: “He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.” • Partnership in Community – John waited for Peter, honoring the older disciple’s leadership (John 20:6). Respect within the body of Christ produces unity. Why the Pause Matters for Us • Space for Awe – Rushing past sacred moments dulls wonder. Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God.” – In worship, Scripture reading, or communion, lingering allows truth to sink in. • Discernment before Decision – Critical choices—relocation, career shifts, relationships—benefit from prayerful reflection rather than impulsive moves. – Ecclesiastes 5:1: “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God…” • Evidence Strengthens Faith – John’s careful look prepared him to believe the resurrection (John 20:8). Christianity rests on tangible, historical reality, not myth. – Luke 1:3–4: Luke writes “so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” • Encouragement to Move Forward – The pause was momentary. John soon entered and believed. A season of waiting must lead to obedience. – James 1:22: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” Practical Takeaways 1. Approach God’s work with reverent expectation. 2. Take time to observe what He is doing before acting. 3. Invite trusted believers into your discovery process. 4. Let holy hesitation turn into wholehearted obedience once clarity comes. Stepping In John’s small but significant pause reminds us that faith is neither reckless nor stagnant. We slow down to see, then rise up to believe and proclaim: “The Lord is risen indeed” (Luke 24:34). |
    |