He Is Risen

Today's Reading

John 20 is the climax of the Gospel. The stone is rolled away. The tomb is empty. And the risen Jesus appears — first to a weeping woman, then to frightened disciples, and finally to a doubting apostle. Each encounter reveals a different facet of what resurrection means.

Reflection

Early on the first day of the week, while it is still dark, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb and finds the stone removed. She runs to Peter and the beloved disciple. They race to the tomb — the beloved disciple arrives first but waits; Peter barges in. They see the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth folded separately. The beloved disciple sees and believes — though John adds the poignant note, "for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead" (John 20:9).

The disciples go home. Mary stays, weeping. And it is to her — a woman in a culture that did not accept women as legal witnesses — that the risen Jesus first appears:

"Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned and said to him in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)." (John 20:16)

He calls her by name, just as the Good Shepherd promised. In a single word — her name — grief is shattered by joy. Mary becomes the first witness to the resurrection, sent by Jesus to tell the disciples: "I have seen the Lord" (John 20:18).

That evening, Jesus appears to the disciples behind locked doors. His first word is "Peace" — not a rebuke for their fear and abandonment, but peace. He shows them His hands and His side. He breathes on them and says, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22) — an echo of God breathing life into Adam, a new creation beginning.

Thomas is absent. When told, he refuses to believe without physical proof. A week later, Jesus appears again — this time with Thomas present. "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe" (John 20:27). Thomas responds with the highest confession in the Gospel:

"My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28)

Jesus does not rebuke Thomas for doubting — He meets him in his doubt. But He adds a blessing: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). That blessing is for every reader of this Gospel who comes to faith without seeing the physical wounds.

Going Deeper

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." The resurrection is not an optional add-on to the Christian faith — it is the foundation. John 20 makes clear that the resurrection is a bodily, historical reality — Jesus eats, speaks, shows His wounds, and breathes. But it is also the dawn of a new creation. When Jesus breathes on the disciples, He is not merely giving a gift — He is beginning the world again. Everything changes on Easter morning.