Home > Newsletter > By His Grace
Personalities
John 20: 1-6
Mary Magdalene came running to Peter and John with the news that Jesus was no longer in the tomb, and both of the disciples took off running; they had to see this for themselves. John, being younger, outran Peter and got there first; but he didn't go into the tomb. "He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in." Peter, on the other hand, ran right into the tomb as soon as he got there.
That seemingly insignificant detail gives us a glimpse of two very different personalities: Peter -outgoing, impulsive, foot-in-the-mouth prone; and John - much more reserved and insightful, although just as passionate as we know from the "Son of Thunder" nickname he earned from Jesus.
I find it really encouraging that Jesus included both of these disciples in His inner circle. They seem to have been opposites, yet they were both very close to His heart. To me, that speaks of the inclusiveness of Jesus - He can and chooses to work through many different kinds of personalities.
In a world where being outgoing and assertive is considered a must, I find it really refreshing to remember the example of John standing reverently at the entrance of the tomb, not daring to go in.
And for the Christian Peters of this world who cringe at their own exuberance and wish they could be a little more like John, here's the example of Peter running into the tomb with all his passion.
No doubt there is always room for the refining of our personalities. That is the life-long goal of our Refiner's fire. Peter did soften in his later years, and it took courage for John to stand for his faith and end up in Patmos. Yet the heart of their personalities remained. These two disciples expressed their concern and their love in very different ways. And Jesus chose them both. He loved them both for who they were, for who He had made them.
It is the same with His chosen ones today. He loves us too for who we are, for who He has made us. Variety is the beauty at the heart of our Creator. And like a precious bouquet made of carefully chosen, distinctly different flowers, each of our personalities offers its unique fragrance ... acceptable to Him and a joy to His heart.
-Maria Lund
-Maria Lund