The Passage
John 20:1-10
1 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’ 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.
Word Work
Put it in your own words. Read the passage or verse slowly, then rewrite each phrase or sentence using your own words.
Word Thoughts:
How appropriate that Mary Magdalene was the first follower of Jesus to arrive at his tomb on resurrection morning. The Light of the World (8:12) had driven the darkness of seven demons from her soul (Luke 8:2); and now she came, while it was still dark, to witness the dawning of the new creation era. “Light and life to all he brings,” says the hymn, “risen with healing in his wings.” In the culmination of a principle that courses through all of Scripture, we see the supreme instance of the truth that through death comes life, and through darkness shines light.
Peter and John’s slowness to accept the reality and significance of Jesus’ resurrection shouldn’t surprise us. Like them, we too need the Holy Spirit to help us understand what the Scriptures (the whole Bible) reveal about the person and work of Jesus.
After John “saw and believed” (John 20:8), he and Peter went back to their homes to share the good news with their families. At Jesus’ dedication as an infant, Simeon told Mary, Jesus’ mother, that a sword would pierce her soul (Luke 2:35). Now, after Christ’s resurrection, John got to tell her that Jesus had pierced death’s soul and destroyed it (cf. 1 Cor. 15:26; Rev. 20:14). (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- What do you think were the emotions of the disciples?
- Why is John sure to include that some believed and some still didn’t believe?
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.
End in Prayer
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