Jul 24, 2022
Scripture Reading: John 20:1-10
The account of the resurrection of Christ is found in all four gospel accounts, as we would expect. Each gospel writer includes some details about Jesus' resurrection that are not found in the other three gospels. It is only from John that we learn about Peter and John running to the tomb, and John hesitating to go in. Only in John do we have the account of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene. And only in John 20 do we read the description of the cloth that had covered Jesus' face, along with the grave clothes.
In John 20:9 we read, "As yet they [the disciples] did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead." The disciples had not grasped the implications of some Old Testament texts that pointed to the resurrection of Christ. Once we understand the facts of the story of Jesus' resurrection, we must turn to the meaning of the resurrection. What are we to understand about the implications that can be drawn from Jesus rising bodily from the dead?
1 Corinthians 15 is the fullest discourse in the Bible on the resurrection of Jesus. It draws out for us the ramifications of this glorious event. First, since Christ has risen from the dead, there is the possibility of forgiveness of sins (1 Cor 15:17). Second, since Jesus conquered death, there is life after death for those who trust in Him (1 Cor 15:18). Third, there is the hope of our own resurrection one day, along with the reunion of those of our loved ones who believe (1 Cor 15:50-52). Fourth, there is the death of death, which no longer has any lasting or profound effect on Christians (1 Cor 15:54,55).
18th century English poet, John Donne, wrote of the triumph Christians have in Christ … "Death, be not proud, though some have called thee mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so . . . One short sleep past, we wake eternally, and death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die."