John 20:1-10

Jesus was laid to rest on the day before the Sabbath (Good Friday), lay in the tomb through the Sabbath but on the day after, the first time anyone can go there, he is gone. In her distress at Jesus’ death Mary has arrived in the dark, found the entrance open and the body gone. The conclusion is that it was stolen by whoever ‘they’ are, perhaps referring to the Jewish authorities. When she goes to Peter and John she talks in the plural ‘we don’t know…’, so presumably she didn’t go alone. Peter and John run to the tomb. The presence of the linen strips suggests the body has not been stolen, or it would have stayed wrapped. The strips lying there empty and the face cloth folded, lying apart, is enough to lead them to the belief that Jesus must have risen from the dead. Whether or not they really understood what happened John simply writes that they went home, John no doubt to tell Jesus’ mother what has happened. I wonder if later when they heard Mary Magdalene’s story of the angels and the appearance of Jesus they regretted not staying longer. Perhaps it was not safe to be there and maybe the later appearances of Jesus were of more significance to John.

Jesus has risen, the devil is beaten at his own game, death is defeated, and humanity can find salvation and restoration from sin. All of this due to the obedience of God’s one and only Son.

Response: Choose a word, phrase, idea or action that strikes you as significant at this moment in your life and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.