Day 8: RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Scripture

JOHN 20:1-18

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. 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!”

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

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.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

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.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

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.’”

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

When John wrote this account of Jesus’ resurrection, I believe he was intentional and purposeful in highlighting Mary Magdalene and her relationship with Jesus. We see her, distraught and weeping at Jesus’ empty tomb, presuming His body to have been taken, maybe even stolen. When Jesus asked her why she was weeping and who she was looking for, Mary didn’t recognize that it was Jesus talking to her. In fact, Mary only realized that it was Jesus when He called her by her name.

We learn in Mark 16 that Jesus had cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene. Suffice it to say, Mary knew what it was like to be inundated with voices, lies, and chaos in her mind. But as she lived and learned from Jesus’ life and ministry, she grew to know His voice — the voice that cast out the demons, the voice that rang louder and truer than any other.

I am reminded of Jesus’ teachings from earlier in the book of John, that He is the good shepherd, and that His sheep know His voice (John 10:3-4, 14-15). Jesus knew and called His sheep by name, and Mary knew her shepherd’s voice.

After this sweet encounter with Mary, Jesus gave her a command — to go to the others and tell them about Him and all He said. And she did so, without hesitation.

As we continue to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, may we not just hold onto the truths for ourselves. May we be encouraged and empowered to go and tell the world about Him. About this Jesus who lived a perfect life, died a terrible death, and rose again to reign forever. This Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who knows you and me by name.

Hallelujah, He is risen!

Questions for reflection

• We live in a time when so many voices, opinions, temptations, and lies cloud our minds and souls. What are some lies or distractions in your life that may be getting in the way of truly knowing Jesus’ voice?

• Take a moment to ask Holy Spirit to highlight people in your life that need the love of Christ. Write down their names and how you can be a loving witness to them. And pray that God would open opportunities for you to share His love and good news with them.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for sending your Son to this earth, and thank you for the salvation I have in Jesus. Thank you that I can live in freedom because of what He did on the cross. Help me to be like Mary Magdalene, brave and courageous in telling others about who You are and what You’ve done for me. Help me, Holy Spirit, to take hold of every opportunity you give me to share the gospel and love people as Christ loves them.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

written by Liz Huang

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Family Devotional

There is no family devotional for today but we encourage you to take time to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.

We hope that you will join us for our Easter worship service at 10 am to celebrate. We’ll be gathering at Ladera Vista Jr. High School at 1700 E Wilshire Ave. Fullerton, CA 92831.

Additionally, consider reading the resurrection story in the Bible or a Children’s Bible and having a special meal to celebrate that Jesus is alive.