New Day - John 20:1-23

“I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)

Jesus died and was buried on a Friday. Saturday was the Sabbath. Then early on Sunday morning one of Jesus’ closest friends, Mary Magdalene, went to the tomb and got a big shock: the tomb was open and the guard was gone. Terrified, she ran to fetch Peter and John. They all ran back, entered the tomb and saw that Jesus had gone.

The manner of the grave clothes left in situ - the bandages wrapping the body still in place but now empty, wrapped around nothing, and the bandage that was around the head lying folded, separately to one side - that was enough to convince Peter that Jesus had been resurrected. No one had come in and unwrapped the body. It’s as though Jesus’ body had passed through the bandages, then he had unwrapped his head separately. Peter and John left, dazed and confused.

Mary remained, and through her tears, saw first two angels, then Jesus himself. She spoke with Jesus and hugged him, becoming the first carrier of the good news, “I have seen the Lord!”

“’Peace be with you! As the father has sent me, so I am sending you.’” (John 20:21)