April 24, 2025
Easter - Part 4
John 20:6-7
04/24/2025
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went
into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying
there,
7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head,
not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a
place by itself. (ESV)
Saint John was a witness of the open tomb on Easter Sunday.
He and Saint Peter ran to the tomb having heard the report from
Mary Magdalene. Although John arrived before Peter, being the
faster of the two, he did not actually enter the tomb. He saw
the linen burial shroud and the place where Jesus' body had been
lying, but he hesitated.
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.
Simon Peter, being more brash, quickly entered the tomb to
investigate. Indeed the linen cloths were carefully placed, as
if the one who had removed the cloths from the body had plenty of
time to act undisturbed. The body was not stolen, that seemed
certain.
What had happened? John's eyewitness account does not
mention the remains of the guard's encampment, or even where the
stone was placed near the tomb. The important part, the linens
and their positions in the tomb were proof positive that the
missing Jesus was not because of robbers.
Is this the proof that Jesus is alive? Not yet, but the
evidence is pointing to His resurrection from the dead. Only
later that evening will Peter and John and most of the disciples
see the risen Christ for the first time.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Amen.