Sean Reiser

Happy Easter Everybody!

Where I should be writing on the Resurrection, I want to write about the relationship between St John and St Peter.

Every year at Easter when I hear John's version of the empty tomb story I get to wondering about the relationship Peter and John had.

Let me quote the part of John that gets me to think about it (John 20:3-6)

Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, 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....

When I read this I always have the impression that Peter and John were rather close to the point that they might have had running jokes between them; even when describing this Holiest times he couldn't resist getting a jab in at his friend. I say this because I hear something like this (at the risk of sounding sacrilegious):

Peter and I ran to the tomb. Because I am the disciple that Jesus loved, I ran much faster than Peter. I ran much like a gazelle where Peter had the grace of an elephant. I waited outside I was convinced that he might collapse from exhaustion before he got there. I allowed Peter to enter first, standing behind him in case he fell since he looked to tired to stand.

Where this might sound silly, to me it's important to me to think that the Apostles were men and I think of them that way. Thomas's doubting helps with this but I also need to see the other aspects of their lives, and I think this bit from John helps me see that.