I realize an Easter post during Advent might seem a little strange. But I’ve always loved this Eugene Burnand painting. It depicts Peter and John running to the sepulcher on Sunday morning – running to the tomb where Jesus’s body has been placed following the horrible events of Friday.

Oh to have been there! To be on the brink of having everything that you ever thought you knew about your present reality thrown into glorious and hopeful confusion. These men have spent two days in despair spiritually and in hiding physically because heir Lord, the Rock they have held to for three years, is dead. They know this.

What they do not yet know is that they are wrong. He is already alive, and every single aspect of their lives is about to change forever.

It isn’t over. Not even close. They are on the brink of a wonder they never expected, running toward the tomb into the sunrise of a bright Sunday.

As we enter into Advent, we remember the stable and the tomb; both humble in appearance but made sacred by the blessed Word become flesh who filled them with his glory.

He lives!

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.

– John 20:1-10 (ESV)