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March 27 - The influence of misunderstanding
27 Mar, 2016
March 27 - The Influence of Misunderstanding
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
Misunderstanding can be just as powerful in its influence and impact as understanding.
This is evident in the recent debates over the political question of Britain’s role in the
European Union. The country is fiercely divided and the electorate would need to
decide in the up coming referendum on June 23, based on the evidence presented by the
various sides, whether it should stay in the EU or to opt out. This issue, enshrouded in
economic uncertainty, has the potential to fuel misunderstandings at various levels of
sciety. Misunderstanding can become a trigger for fear, uncertainty, panic and
overreaction.
Mary Magdalene’s announcement to the disciples, Peter and John that their Lord was
missing brought much panic and dread to the already fearful disciples. She had gone to
the tomb on the first day of the week while it was still dark to anoint the body of Jesus
but the stone was rolled away. In response, the disciples came running to see what had![]()
taken place. John outran Peter, bent down and looked into the tomb. When he saw the
linen wrappings he did not go in. As Peter arrived he did not only bend down and look
but he went in and saw both the linen wrappings and the cloth that had been on Jesus’
head rolled up by itself. It was probably the bravery of Peter that motivated John to go
into the tomb and take a second look. When John saw he believed Mary’s report that
someone had taken the body of Jesus. They believed this false report because they did
not understand the scripture, that Jesus must rise from the dead.
The interpretation of the evidence - the stone rolled away, linen wrappings, a rolled up
head cloth and a missing corpse led the trio to conclude that the body of their Lord had
been nabbed. The interpretation of the evidence based on their misunderstanding of the
scriptures led them to the wrong conclusion. Jesus was alive but they believed that his
dead body was taken. How could Peter and John have misunderstood the scripture
when they spent three years with Jesus? For three years he tried to prepare them for
the ultimate purpose of his mission - to suffer and die for the sins of the human race,
then rise again to secure salvation for all. Confused about what was going, on the
disciples went to their homes. That evening they hid behind closed doors because they
were afraid of the Jews. Jesus had risen from the dead but they huddle together in fear
and dread because they did not understand the scripture.
What conclusions do we at times draw from the evidence presented to us? Would those
conclusions be the same if we understood the scriptures? The evidence presented in
many cultures during this festive season amounts to bunny rabbits, Easter eggs, and lots
of candies. Rabbits and eggs have been portrayed in ancient cultures as symbols of
fertility in honour of various fertility gods. These symbols have to a large degree
overshadowed the biblical reason for celebrating; which is the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, the world’s redeemer. Misunderstanding of this biblical truth has left millions in
our world satisfied with sweets and chocolates but still fearful and hopeless. It would
make a significant difference if they understood that God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have
everlasting life.
Britain has to vote in the up coming referendum to stay in or to opt out of Europe base
on the evidence presented. Being clear about the issues involved would inform each
person’s decision. If you are confused about what to believe, who to trust and how to
live turn to the scriptures and discover the evidence about the resurrected Lord who can
turn your despair into hope.![]()
The joy of this hope is expressed in today's music - "Hallelujah, We Shall Rise!" Click on the picture to listen.
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying -John 20:1-10
Misunderstanding can be just as powerful in its influence and impact as understanding.
This is evident in the recent debates over the political question of Britain’s role in the
European Union. The country is fiercely divided and the electorate would need to
decide in the up coming referendum on June 23, based on the evidence presented by the
various sides, whether it should stay in the EU or to opt out. This issue, enshrouded in
economic uncertainty, has the potential to fuel misunderstandings at various levels of
sciety. Misunderstanding can become a trigger for fear, uncertainty, panic and
overreaction.
Mary Magdalene’s announcement to the disciples, Peter and John that their Lord was
missing brought much panic and dread to the already fearful disciples. She had gone to
the tomb on the first day of the week while it was still dark to anoint the body of Jesus
but the stone was rolled away. In response, the disciples came running to see what had
taken place. John outran Peter, bent down and looked into the tomb. When he saw the
linen wrappings he did not go in. As Peter arrived he did not only bend down and look
but he went in and saw both the linen wrappings and the cloth that had been on Jesus’
head rolled up by itself. It was probably the bravery of Peter that motivated John to go
into the tomb and take a second look. When John saw he believed Mary’s report that
someone had taken the body of Jesus. They believed this false report because they did
not understand the scripture, that Jesus must rise from the dead.
The interpretation of the evidence - the stone rolled away, linen wrappings, a rolled up
head cloth and a missing corpse led the trio to conclude that the body of their Lord had
been nabbed. The interpretation of the evidence based on their misunderstanding of the
scriptures led them to the wrong conclusion. Jesus was alive but they believed that his
dead body was taken. How could Peter and John have misunderstood the scripture
when they spent three years with Jesus? For three years he tried to prepare them for
the ultimate purpose of his mission - to suffer and die for the sins of the human race,
then rise again to secure salvation for all. Confused about what was going, on the
disciples went to their homes. That evening they hid behind closed doors because they
were afraid of the Jews. Jesus had risen from the dead but they huddle together in fear
and dread because they did not understand the scripture.
What conclusions do we at times draw from the evidence presented to us? Would those
conclusions be the same if we understood the scriptures? The evidence presented in
many cultures during this festive season amounts to bunny rabbits, Easter eggs, and lots
of candies. Rabbits and eggs have been portrayed in ancient cultures as symbols of
fertility in honour of various fertility gods. These symbols have to a large degree
overshadowed the biblical reason for celebrating; which is the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, the world’s redeemer. Misunderstanding of this biblical truth has left millions in
our world satisfied with sweets and chocolates but still fearful and hopeless. It would
make a significant difference if they understood that God so loved the world that he gave
his one and only son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have
everlasting life.
Britain has to vote in the up coming referendum to stay in or to opt out of Europe base
on the evidence presented. Being clear about the issues involved would inform each
person’s decision. If you are confused about what to believe, who to trust and how to
live turn to the scriptures and discover the evidence about the resurrected Lord who can
turn your despair into hope.
The joy of this hope is expressed in today's music - "Hallelujah, We Shall Rise!" Click on the picture to listen.
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