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Easter Sunday (3/23): "As yet they did not know the scripture, that Jesus must rise from the dead" Scripture: John 20:1-9 1 It was the first day of the week. Mary Magdalene came to the grave early in the morning while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been pushed away from the grave. 2 She ran to Simon Peter and the other follower whom Jesus loved. She said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the grave. We do not know where they have put Him." 3 Then Peter and the other follower went to the grave. 4 They ran but the other follower ran faster than Peter and came to the grave first. 5 He got down and looked in and saw the linen cloths but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came and went into the grave. He saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The white cloth that had been around the head of Jesus was not lying with the other linen cloths. It was rolled up and lying apart by itself. 8 Then the other follower, who had come first, went in also. He saw and believed. 9 They still did not understand what the Holy Writings meant when they said that He must rise again from the dead. Meditation: It is significant that the disciples had to first deal with the empty tomb before they could come to grips with the fact that scripture had foretold that Jesus would die for our sins and then rise triumphant. They disbelieved until they saw the empty tomb. Bede, a church father from the 8th century, explains why the Risen Lord revealed himself gradually to the disciples: "Our Lord and redeemer revealed the glory of his resurrection to his disciples gradually and over a period of time, undoubtedly because so great was the virtue of the miracle that the weak hearts of mortals could not grasp [the significance of] this all at once. Thus, he had regard for the frailty of those seeking him. To those who came first to the tomb, both the women who were aflame with love for him and the men, he showed the stone rolled back. Since his body had been carried away, he showed them the linen cloths in which it had been wrapped lying there alone. Then, to the women who were searching eagerly, who were confused in their minds about what they had found out about him, he showed a vision of angels who disclosed evidences of the fact that he had risen again. Thus, with the report of his resurrection already accomplished, going ahead of him, the Lord of hosts and the king of glory himself at length appeared and made clear with what great might he had overcome the death he had temporarily tasted." (From Homilies on the Gospels 2,9,25) One thing is certain, if Jesus had not risen from the dead and appeared to his disciples, we would never have heard of him. Nothing else could have changed sad and despairing men and women into people radiant with joy and courage. The reality of the resurrection is the central fact of the Christian faith. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Lord gives us "eyes of faith" to know him and the power of his resurrection. The greatest joy we can have is to encounter the living Lord and to know him personally. Do you celebrate the feast of Easter with joy and thanksgiving for the victory which Jesus has won for you over sin and death? Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, you have triumphed over the grave and you have won new life for us. Give me the eyes of faith to see you in your glory. Help me to draw near to you and to grow in the knowledge of your great love and power." Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23
1
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His
loving-kindness lasts forever.
16
The Lord's right hand is lifted high. The right hand of
the Lord does powerful things.
22
The stone that was put aside by the workmen has become
the most important stone in the building.
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