April 21, 2025
Easter - Part 1
John 20:1
04/20/2025
1 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. (ESV)
Easter Sunday is not about colored eggs or chocolate rabbits
or new spring dresses and finery. Easter Sunday is about Jesus
Christ risen from the dead. This is not a spiritual
resurrection, as some may claim, or the idea of renewal as others
may teach. Jesus rose from the dead, physically, never to die
again.
Oh, to be certain, He was dead on Good Friday. The soldier
who pierced His heart with a spear made certain that Jesus was no
longer alive. Even if He had fainted or was in a coma, as one
theory says, that spear to the heart would have been fatal. He
was dead when Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus placed His body
in the tomb.
Credible eyewitnesses saw the risen Christ Jesus. They saw
the empty tomb. They spoke with Jesus. They ate with Jesus.
They walked with Jesus. Over 500 people saw and heard Him after
the resurrection.
On that Sunday morning, however, no one expected the empty
tomb. ``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.'' Saint John is telling the
story of Mary Magdalene, not the other women who went with her to
wash Jesus' body and ensure He was properly prepared for burial.
Mary Magdalene and the other women knew the tomb was covered with
a large stone, but probably did not know about the soldiers sent
by Pilate to guard the tomb at the request of the chief priests
and the rulers of the Temple.
This week we will look at John's account of this most
important event in history.
Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia! Amen.