Today Devotional 18th August 2025, Monday Message
TOPIC: Running for Jesus
SCRIPTURE READING — John 20:1-10
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Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter. . . .— John 20:3
I’m not much of a runner. I prefer walking. In an urgent situation, though, I would run if I had to. When Peter and John heard that Jesus’ tomb had been opened, they raced there urgently to see for themselves.
Significantly, Jesus’ first post-resurrection appearance was to Mary Magdalene and several other women who had come to his tomb. But the disciples did not believe them at first, dismissing their account as “nonsense” (Luke 24:10). Yet despite their doubts, John writes that he and Peter ran to the tomb. John, the younger man, got there first and peeked in, but Peter was the first to go into the empty tomb. Later, Peter is reportedly the first of the disciples to see Jesus risen from the dead (Luke 24:34).
Though Mary Magdalene is the first person to see Jesus alive (John 20:14-15), why is Peter the first among the disciples? Maybe this distinction shows that Jesus has forgiven Peter’s denial. In addition, this could point to Peter’s central role as a leader among the apostles, who established the church, Christ’s body on earth. Broken and flawed, yet willing and eager to serve, Peter and Mary and all of Jesus’ other disciples are chosen to spread the good news of his salvation to others—and eventually to the world.
Though we, too, are broken and flawed, Jesus can use us as we join the urgent race to share in his mission.
PRAYER: Lord, you have set the race before us. Give us the strength and courage to endure till we meet you face to face. Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the director of ReFrame Ministries and serves as the Executive Editor of Today. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children
