How did John outrun Peter on the way to the tomb ?

John 20:3-4

NIVUK

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

The Message

Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter.

Such an easy question to answer, of course, as we know, Peter was the oldest disciple of Jesus among the twelve. We knew it because :-

1) Peter had a mother in law. There was no mention of the other disciples having wives, so mostly still single. 

2) Matthew 17 says that Jesus asked Peter to catch a fish and pulled out a coin to pay the annual taxes and that coin was only enough for Jesus and Peter which implied that they were the only ones above 20 years old. So John, for sure was younger than Peter.

Is it strange that a younger man will outrun an older man ? At the prime of youth, perhaps, a few years difference do not matter. But really, how did John outrun Peter on that resurrection Sunday ?

The Message says that : They ran, neck and neck. Both were running together.

I am not an athletic and running is not my favourite sport. I disliked the annual sport run where we needed to bring one point to the Sport House by completing 5 Km run under 45 minutes. 

Here is Rev Stella Lim's sharing on How did John outran Peter to the tomb.

Peter and John ran enthusiatically as they really needed to confirm what Mary said was true that the tomb was empty. So, they were really excited as they raced together, neck and neck. Then, Peter slowed down. Why ?  

When we run especially to check out some news that have shocked us, our mind run with us, that is the mind will be processing information, facts and recalling conversations and joining the dots and tell-signs. Peter and John would likely recall back the last days of Jesus. As if it was not bad enough that Jesus was publicly humiliated, naked, brutally punished and nailed to a cross, why not his body is gone ? They must have thought how could this be so bad, the worst supposed to be over. Their master is dead and at least, let him rest in place. Could it be a conspiracy by the Roman Soldiers and High Priest yet again ? 

This probably did enter their mind during the initial part of the race. 

Then, Peter suddenly recalled his last few moments with Jesus, how he denied the Lord, three times and even cursed and swore that he did not know Jesus and had no part with him. Peter must have felt the heart pain and regrets. Wait, what if the Lord has not forgiven him until his last breath ? It was full of remorse and tears of sorry likely to flow down. In such a moment of grief, Peter's footsteps would slow down. He felt totally undeserving even to go and check out the Tomb. Even though Mary assumed both Peter and John as the leaders of the group, for she came straight to them first, Peter knew better. He was an undeserving leader, an ignorant guy, a betrayal of his Lord. 

In another words, Peter ran with shame and guilt in his heart. He felt condemned. He ran out of guilty feet and condemnation. 

As for John, he has always called himself as the "Beloved disciple of the Lord", he knew his position with Christ. He has been faithfully following the Lord till the end. Yes, he was scared and he followed from behind in disguise. He ran without reservation and knew that Jesus still loves him the same, dead or alive. 

So, this is the most probable answer as to how John outran Peter on the way to the tomb. Likely, in our lives, we should run this race without condemnation and not run with guilty feet. We run knowing that the Lord has died for our sins and forgiven us and His love is sure. 

The morale of the lesson, don't be like Peter. Be like John, he does not run with guilty feet.