John-Empty Grave
Orient John 20:1-31
Chapter 20 describes the Resurrection of Christ and His disciples’ reactions to seeing the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John are featured characters. Jesus then makes several appearances, first to Mary, then a group of disciples, then the group again with Thomas present, who had previously doubted His return. The end of the chapter contains the anchor to the book, where John restates his author’s purpose to believe in Jesus to experience life.
Introduction
I can’t believe my eyes is a well-known idiom meaning something is shocking or incredulous. This expression is declared when one finds it hard to believe what your senses are telling you is true. All the followers of Christ had this reaction upon seeing evidence of His resurrection. Initially, as grave robbery was common, Mary saw the empty grave and ran to get help. When Peter and John arrived, they saw the graveclothes untorn and folded. Then they believed He was not dead but didn’t understand what it could mean. Thomas, upon hearing from trustworthy witnesses that He had returned, stated his needed proof was to touch the wounds of the crucifixion on the risen body of Christ. Christ tells us “Do not disbelieve but believe[1]” and meets each follower where they are at. Ultimately, the words of the book we’ve been studying serve as a powerful witness so we would believe in the divinity and Lordship of Christ. As you read and reread today’s text, let the Spirit illuminate what you need to take your belief in Christ deeper and truer in your life.
Opening Prayer
Jesus, with a word You call my name and like Mary I know it’s You. The sheep know the voice of their Shepherd. You are my Rabboni, my great teacher. Let me see You today as I read and pray. You have left me peace and sending me to a world that needs the message of Christ as we are daily Your representatives. Give me solid faith. Let me be blessed in that I have not seen You yet I believe all the more each day. I declare You are Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God and true life is found in You alone. Amen
Meditation
Read and reread the following passage, taking God’s word in deeply. As you do be sensitive to a phrase or verse the Holy Spirit emphasizes to you personally.
20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus'[a] head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic,[b] “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,[c] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,[d] was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Paraphrase
Rewrite the phrase or verse that the Holy Spirit highlighted during meditation. What is your take away?
Reflect
1. Why do you believe in the resurrection? Paul says if it isn’t true, everything about our faith is in vain[2]. Peter and John believed when they saw the empty tomb, though they didn’t understand. Why did they believe this miracle? Rome and the Jews wouldn’t have done it, it would only promote the idea that the resurrection was true and prove Jesus was who He claimed to be. His followers could not have moved the stone without government help. The stone was under guard. The linens wouldn’t have been left folded and intact; it was nearly impossible to remove them period after embalming. Reader, why do you believe?
2. To me, the scene between Mary and Jesus in verse 16 is one of the most intimate and sweet dialogs we read in Scripture. Jesus calls out to her and she doesn’t realize who He is, yet when He says her name and her grief is instantly transformed to joy. Jesus is personal. His followers will know when He speaks; His sheep know their Shephard when He calls them by name[3]. The ability to discern the voice of God requires followers to trust His Holy Spirit and know the Scriptures which are His words. What is it like when you with spiritual ears attune to the voice of God?
3. The Sent One is now the sender. What Jesus fulfilled in obedience to His Father is now our mission. He has won peace for us with God on the cross and wants His victory message shared with others. Who is God sending you to?
4. A common misconception to the Christian life is the state of blessedness. We often take it to mean that our life will be free from pain or trial and that the believer is to live in a state of perpetual happiness. False prosperity teachers have exploited this untruth to keep their congregants in works-based faith. Instead, the state of blessing we experience is favor and righteousness from God. It is not often an emotion--though joy and peace are fruit of the position we inhabit when forgiven. Do you still feel blessed by God when life is hard?
5. The chapter ends with the dual titles Jesus holds: Son of God and Christ. Son of God describes His nature as sharing all the attributes of the Father while being one in kind and nature. This title expresses His equality with God in regard to deity. Christ is a title to describe the role of the anointed of God. He fulfills the role of promised Savior to the Jewish people and completes in triplicate the roles that Israel needed to minister to the people-prophet, priest, and king. We need to know Jesus fully to follow Him well. We need to understand His equality with God. We need to know Him (prophet), be reconciled to Him (priest) and ruled by Him as King. Are either of these roles or titles unfamiliar to you?
Closing Prayer
I believe, You are God as death could not hold You. In righteousness and power, You rose from the grave. This miracle is proof of who You are and that same power that raised You lives in me[4]. Though You are mighty, You are tender. You call my name and I know Your voice in an instant. My heart is turned. Today, renew my student’s heart. Let me take in all You have to say for Your words lead me and guide me. You have given me peace and send me as Your representative to teach others, to disciple them in the love of God. The name that brings unending, pure, and satisfying life. I am blessed and sit under Your favor. You want good for me and will bring it to pass when I trust You. You are Son of God and Christ. You meet every need and deserve worship for Your divine nature and work.
Continue praying personally to the Lord with what He showed you during mediation and reflection.
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