Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. John 20:8-9 NABRE
On the first day of the week, finding the tomb of Jesus empty, Mary Magdala seeks out Simon Peter for help. She tells him the tomb is empty and he and another run to the tomb. We think John is the other disciple, who arrives at the tomb peering in from the entrance as Peter runs past him and steps inside. They see the burial clothes folded neatly and there is no body. The first hypothesis of Mary and the disciples is that Jesus body is stolen. But seeing the burial cloth folded and the stone of the tomb entry rolled away they begin to realize it is God who has a hand in the empty tomb. It is John, who is perhaps telling the story, who realizes what Jesus has told them about raising up the temple in three days was about Him returning to life on the third day. We read, “he saw and believed.” These followers are on an emotional roller coaster, Jesus who could do anything was taken and killed, now He is missing and perhaps alive again. The Apostles don’t come to this idea at the same time, each experiences something; the tomb is empty, we have seen Him, He broke bread with us and little by little they all come to believe.
Jesus reveals Himself to each and ultimately returns to His Father sending the Spirit of power and wisdom, and each apostle becomes a great missionary. But this first moment it is John who sees an empty tomb, with evidence of careful departure, who realizes Jesus has risen from the dead. John will convince others who convince others, until the message spans thousands of years later with the celebration of a great Easter event. He is Risen, Alleluia.
Do you believe without seeing? Will you be resurrected?
In this first moment it is John who sees an empty tomb, and who realizes Jesus has risen from the dead. He will convince others who convince others, until the message spans thousands of years; He is Risen, Alleluia. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #see #believe #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways