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JUNE 6
AN ORDERLY EXIT
“Then Simon Peter came, following him (John), and went into the tomb. He
saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth (σουδάριον) that had
been on his (Jesus’) head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up
in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also
went in, and he saw and believed…” (Jn 20: 6-8)
What is it that John “saw” in the tomb that made him “believe” in Christ’s
resurrection? It was the linen wrappings, lying in one place, and the cloth
(σουδάριον), not only lying separately, but neatly “rolled up.” What had
transpired here had involved no haste or chaos. Nor was it done either by
irreverent thieves or ardent followers. Because thieves, having stripped
Christ’s Body, would not have carefully set aside the cloth, while devout
followers would not have carried His Body away naked. What John “saw
and believed” was evidence of the Lord’s majestic exit from the tomb; He
had left the darkness of the tomb in full control, “clothed in majesty” and
leaving order behind, as Lord over chaos and death.
Today I ask that He bring His order into my often disorderly thoughts,
actions, and words. Let His grace be in full control today, bringing light
and order where previously there was darkness and chaos. “And the light
shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (Jn 1: 5)
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