You may recall taking a quiz where an open space sits in the middle of a sentence. The “fill in the blank” format prompts us to enter the correct answer. Without it, the sentence doesn’t make sense. At times we may feel that way, as we try to make sense out of what or who is missing from our lives.

But Christ’s first disciples sat in the biggest blank of all time. After His death on the cross, they didn’t know their sorrow was linked to the significance of the first Holy Week.

“Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” (John 20:1-2 NLT)

The “other disciple” was John. He reached the empty tomb first. He peaked inside, but he stayed at the entrance. (John 20:3-5) Of course, we have the benefit of retrospection. But as John stood on the brink of human history, he gave into his reluctancy. It’s not uncommon. I’ve certainly had my share of holding back. But God is always calling us to hold on to His grace and truth.

The prospect of a new beginning or the pain of something ending can keep us from moving forward. And yet, pushing back from the process is limiting.

But if we’re willing to go further with God, His peace goes beyond our questions. Hence, Peter’s response encourages us.

“Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed — for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.” (John 20:6-10 NLT)

What Peter and John saw and believed took them to a new level of understanding. Until then, the blank was still empty. They were still empty. But their despair diminished in the reality of the Risen Savior. Faith in Christ has that effect.

It’s natural to see life’s moments based on what we believe about our circumstances. But as our faith grows, we see life’s moments based on who we believe God is in our circumstances.

Some days, it may feel like our faith is being tested. The answers may not come easily. We may not be able to wrap our minds around a situation. But by faith, we can wrap our trust around what Scripture says about Jesus. It’s the best kind of “fill in the blank” moment.

For further reflection, read the Top 10 I AM Statements of Jesus and Their Meanings on Bible Hub!