MONDAY

John 20:1-10

Last Sabbath, we spent some time reflecting on what it is like to live in the realization that Jesus has risen as we focused on the account of Jesus meeting the disciples on the night of the resurrection when, up until that point, they were still somewhat unsure of what had really happened. Jesus met them with peace, reassurance, and an invitation to live in response to what they now knew. We saw how, a week later, Thomas was able to address his doubts as he realized that Jesus was indeed there with him, and how a blessing was pronounced on those who would not be able to see with their eyes but would still believe. That’s us! Not seeing, but believing! But what does it look like for us to get to the place where we believe even when we “don’t see”? Today’s Scripture passage gives us a glimpse of what this looked like earlier that same day when Mary, Simon Peter, and John first encountered the empty tomb. For Mary, Simon Peter, and John, at this point at least, what they experienced was not so much about actually seeing Jesus, but much more about missing Jesus.

Mary going to the tomb, where she expects to find his lifeless body, and the disciples’ willingness to respond to her initial report so quickly, tells us that they still felt a strong sense of devotion to Jesus, even though they thought he was now dead. But at this point, what they were experiencing had way more to do with questions and a sense of what (or who) was missing than about celebrating answers! They had not left God, nor had God left them, but they were still struggling to make sense out of things.

If you have not already, take a few moments to read the passage through, slowly and thoughtfully, perhaps even lingering a bit on those places that seem to speak to you. As you continue to reflect on what you find there, consider the following:

• Do you have moments in your own spiritual life when there seem to be more questions than answers?

• We don’t always deal with our questions in the same way. When Mary saw the empty tomb, she ran to get others to come and help her make sense out of it. John and Peter dropped everything and ran to the tomb (John apparently outrunning Peter), but then they too processed things a little differently. As we look at how all three of them approached what they were seeing differently, what insight does this give us into how we respond to things we don’t understand? Do you tend to be more like Mary, Peter, or John? Why do you think that is?

• John tells us that when he and Peter went into the tomb, he saw what Peter saw, and he “believed.” Yet, it also says they did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead, so we have to wonder what it was exactly that John believed at that point? And it appears that Peter was still trying to figure out what had happened too! Do you have times in your own spiritual life when you’re hanging in there the best you can, but can’t make sense out of what is going on?

• Interestingly, Peter and John, now puzzled by the empty tomb, both just went home. They had processed all they could at the moment and apparently just needed to go home, or wherever they were staying. Have you ever had moments when just going home seemed like the next best step?

As you ponder what this part of the morning must have been like for these disciples, who at this point clearly had more questions than answers? What parts of their experience do you resonate with the most? What do you sense God would like you to “see” in this story? Take a few moments to share what is on your heart with God in prayer.