John 20:1-10 (CSB) 1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!” 3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.
John 20:30-31 (CSB) Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Death cannot win. God has trampled over death by death. He has defeated the curse with the curse.
Jesus is alive!!!
Death can’t kill the Author of Life. Jesus laid down his life because he has the authority to take it up again.
Mary is perplexed by the situation. The angels remind her Jesus is alive, so why would he be in the tomb? I love their “duh” kind of response, although I’m quite certain that’s not how it came across nor how they meant it. But there is incredulity in their response in that they can’t believe one would doubt God’s word. Why would Jesus be here? He told you all his mission and that he would rise. Why didn’t you believe him?
Mary turns and sees Jesus, but thinks he’s the gardener. For whatever reason, Jesus’ resurrected body and presence was so amazing, she was prevented from recognizing him until he spoke her name. Love that.
“Mary.”
“Rabboni!” Mary’s eyes are opened.
Mary worships, as she should, and God chose Mary to be the first eyewitness of the resurrection. What glory!
Jesus. God in the flesh. Defeated death, paid for sin, rose, and gave the mission to us in his power.
John is not shy about his purpose. He wrote his testimony down because Jesus is actually who he says he is. John is not mincing words. There is no hidden agenda. Jesus is God, the only God. Jesus was dead, but he is alive.
Now, believe so you can have eternal life as he promised.
Hope has been realized and our grief now turns to joy.
The promise God made that the descendant of the woman would crush the head of the serpent has been realized.
All God’s word has been accomplished.
Celebrate Jesus today.
Enjoy the day and each other.
Embrace John’s mission which is the mission Jesus gave us by telling others and inviting them to life in Jesus.
The resurrection leads us to the “missio Dei”, the mission of God.
Jesus came on mission to bring redemption and thus sends us on his mission of gathering all those the Father gave him and who he secured in his redemptive work in the entire Christ event of his coming, living, dying, burial, rising, and ascending. We join him through preaching his good news to all nations so that all those who are his will hear him and come by faith.
Don’t just be a cul de sac for the good news. Be a conduit that believes and now proclaims that message.
He’s alive!!!
Theology in the Dirt 