Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 1.pdf/194

 of hope and fear they waited the arrival of the third day to witness the Lord's resurrection, agreeably to His divine promise. (Matt. xvi. 21.) The first day of the week arrived, and Mary Magdalene was early at the tomb, even while it was yet dark. She saw the stone was removed from the sepulchre, and ran to inform Peter and John of what had taken place, saying, "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him." Peter and John then went forth, and ran both together, but John did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

Some may possibly imagine that nothing of any great importance can be involved in the simple fact of John outrunning Peter. A little reflection, however, will enable us to see much further than mere words, and lead us to value Revelation because of the spiritual sense within the words, which, as a glory within the veil, is the true Light that guides in the path of righteousness and thence to heaven. Peter and John, two of the leading apostles, are the representatives of Faith and Love, these being the two leading principles in the church. Faith is connected with truth, knowledge, and the understanding; Love, with affection, desire, and the will. Love is more ardent than faith, and more to be depended on; for faith, like Peter, may promise and perform not; but love, without promising, performs all things; and, like John, leans in confidence upon the Lord's bosom. Love is quick and energetic, and soon gains its object. Faith is comparatively slow and tardy in its pursuits. Hence, in the heavenly life, love outruns faith as John did Peter. Faith, in its examination of