Stoop and see

There is a tiny detail in the resurrection story that is remarkably easy to miss. John reaches the tomb first: "He stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying." (John 20:5) Peter comes behind him: "Stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves." (Luke 24:12) Then Mary: "As she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre." (John 20:11) Three people. Same posture. They stoop before they see. That is almost the opposite of humanity's first sin. In Eden, Adam and Eve reached up. The serpent promised, "You will be like God." They grasped for greatness, and their eyes were opened to shame. At the empty tomb, Mary bends down. She looks carefully. Then Jesus speaks one word: "Mary." She turns, and suddenly she sees Him. Perhaps there is something profound here. We live in a world that tells us to elevate ourselves, trust ourselves, and make ourselves greater. Jesus moves in the opposite direction. He "humbled himself" and became obedient even to death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8) The King stooped. And if we want to truly see Him, we must too. Don't dismiss the resurrection from a distance. Come closer. Bend down. Look carefully. Perhaps the greatest thing stopping you from seeing Jesus is your unwillingness to stoop. (Craig B). Open Bible – bit.ly/Joh20v5, bit.ly/Luk24v12, bit.ly/Joh20v11, bit.ly/PHI2V8