Scripture: John 20:1-18 (NIV)
1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.
2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.
4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,
7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.
8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb
12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
Devotion:
The account of Easter morning in John 20:1-18 unveils the transformative encounter between Mary Magdalene and the risen Christ. This sacred moment serves as a beacon of hope, revealing the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and His enduring presence in our lives.
1. Seeking in Darkness: In the dim light of dawn, Mary Magdalene approached the tomb, carrying the weight of grief and loss in her heart. Despite the darkness that surrounded her, she remained steadfast in her devotion to Jesus, seeking solace at His burial site. Like Mary, we often find ourselves searching for meaning and purpose in the midst of life’s trials, yearning for the light of Christ to illumine our path.
2. The Empty Tomb: Arriving at the tomb, Mary was confronted with the sight of the stone rolled away and the empty burial cloths lying inside. This startling discovery ignited a flurry of emotions within her, prompting her to run and seek help from Peter and John. The empty tomb serves as a powerful testament to the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and the fulfillment of God’s promise of new life.
3. Encountering the Risen Christ: As Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, she encountered two angels who inquired about her sorrow. Yet, it was her encounter with Jesus Himself that transformed her mourning into joy. At first, Mary did not recognize Jesus, mistaking Him for the gardener. However, when Jesus spoke her name, her eyes were opened, and she beheld her risen Lord. Similarly, when we encounter Jesus in the midst of our struggles, His voice speaks life into our darkness, bringing comfort, healing, and hope.
4. Mary’s Testimony: Filled with awe and wonder, Mary rushed to share the news of her encounter with the disciples, proclaiming, “I have seen the Lord!” Her testimony became a catalyst for faith, inspiring others to believe in the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. Likewise, Easter invites us to bear witness to the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection in our lives, sharing the good news of salvation with a world in need of hope and redemption.
5. Go and Tell: Jesus instructed Mary to go and tell His disciples about His resurrection and impending ascension. Her commission echoes throughout the ages, calling us to be ambassadors of Christ’s love and grace, sharing the message of salvation with boldness and conviction. As Easter heralds the dawn of new life, may we, like Mary, go forth with hearts ablaze, proclaiming, “I have seen the Lord!” to all who will listen.
As we reflect on the events of Easter morning, may we be reminded of the profound truth that Christ is risen indeed! May His resurrection power infuse us with hope, courage, and joy.
