The Resurrection that Lifts Us

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. 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.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead  (John 20:1-9).

Three disciples came to the tomb of their Master where they saw something that changed their lives. Each disciple saw the same things, a rolled away stone, neatly arranged burial cloths, and an empty tomb. Each disciple was compelled by what they saw to some kind of response. But the Holy Spirit inspired John to report that each disciple’s reaction was different. Our Teacher reveals some precious treasure here for earnest truth seekers. He shows us that the resurrection of Jesus Christ offers diligent disciples important truth for victorious Christian living… “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:5). Today our Teacher exhorts us to discover and experience the power of the resurrection that lifts us.

Maturing disciples long to discover God’s truth in and through the faith-shaping trials of this temporal life… “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). If our faith is not being tested it’s time to ask ourselves if we are really growing as a disciple. If our faith is being tested, it’s time to look to the empty tomb to find the power that can lift us up above the circumstances and people that oppose us.

At the empty tomb, Mary “saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb”. It was still dark. Mary could not see clearly. The Greek word translated saw here is blepō and it means to look at or upon. She did not look inside the tomb. She only noticed that the stone that blocked the entrance was removed. It was enough to compel her to run to the other disciples with a report that someone had removed Jesus’ body from the tomb. Sometimes the Spirit gives us just a glimpse of God’s truth to compel us to go get other disciples together so He can reveal more faith-lifting truth to us as a group… “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

At the empty tomb, Peter “saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth”. He went through the doorway and into the tomb where he saw much more than Mary. The Greek word translated saw here is theōreō and it means to be a spectator. As a fully participating spectator sees more of the athletic contest, fully engaged disciples discover more truth in the midst of their trials. Although He is able to deliver us, God wants to reveal more faith-lifting truth in the midst of our temporary trials… “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).

At the empty tomb, John “saw and believed”. When he entered the tomb, John saw more than met his eyes. He understood the evidence and embraced the truth. The Greek word translated saw here is eidō and it means to know, consider, perceive, or understand. The Spirit grants diligent disciples understanding to put the facts together and to apply God’s faith-lifting truth to our lives… “To whom will he teach knowledge, and to whom will he explain the message... It is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:9-10).

As we grow up into Christ our faith grows and matures as we diligently seek and apply the truth of…

The Resurrection that Lifts Us.