Scripture Reading:

John 20

Please comment below with your conversation with God and/or insights from today’s Scriptures.

You can answer the following:

1. What are your overall thoughts about the chapter?

2. What part of this chapter did you most resonate with?

3. What is your prayer to God brought on by this chapter?

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Chapter Notables:

1. Mary Magdalene visits the tomb on the first day of the week - verses 1-2

2. Peter and another disciple (possibly John) runs to the tomb - verses 3-10

3. 2 angels speak to Mary in the empty tomb - verses 11-13

4. Mary mistakes the risen Christ for a gardener - verses 14-18

5. Jesus appears to the disciples - verses 19-23

6. Jesus unbraids Thomas’ doubt - verses 24-29

7. John gives the purpose of His writing - verses 30-31

Recognize Jesus | Lemuel Ayudtud

There are instances when it’s really difficult to operate in faith: trouble that you can’t seem to see the end; events that break your heart and cause you emotional and mental suffering; surprise financial burdens that appear unsolvable; report of sickness without possible cure; other burden-ladened problems and situations that seem too much. Of course it compounds when these things all happen at once or back to back.

Mary Magdalene visited the tomb of Jesus just days after His crucifixion. What she found was disturbing. The stone that they had put over the opening of the tomb/cave had been removed. Peering into the tomb the slab on which they laid the body of Jesus on was empty. Instead of the body two angels sat on each side of the slab and, in between them, the linen Jesus was wrapped in laid like laundry. Shaken, afraid, disturbed, and broken, she must have been too overcome with emotion to even wonder what in the world they were doing in there. They asked her, “Who are you looking for?” She must’ve thought they were grave workers or something because all she did was answer, “Where did you put my Lord?”

Let’s take a moment and remind ourselves that Mary was with the rest of the disciples for possibly the length of the ministry of Jesus, a little more than three years. In those three years Jesus told His disciples that He was going to die but will rise again. In fact even in His last hours before the crucifixion, Jesus repeatedly told the about His death and subsequent victory. but it’s difficult to imagine seeing Jesus horrifically treated and murdered and just a few days later remember what He said about His own resurrection.

Like Mary there are moments in a believer’s life when what Jesus tells us can be drowned out by the trouble in front of us. As stated in the opening paragraph (of this blog), sometimes it’s difficult to maneuver life and faith when the only thing in front of you is death, suffering, and trial. As much as we’d like to think that we would constantly think on Jesus no matter what happens in life, the darkest moments can make us forget the very thing that we need which is to hope in God and believe on His word.

Mary, I’m sure still considering what just happened three days before Golgotha, didn’t even recognize Jesus when Jesus appeared to her. She thought that He was the gardener. Again, three years of being with Jesus one would think that she would have recognized Him immediately. But when your eyes are filled with fear, doubt, discouragement, disappointment, and sadness with sorrow; it’s difficult to recognize the Lord even if He’s standing in front of us

But the moment Jesus spoke to Mary, all of those burdens, weights, worries, fears, and doubts fell off like scales. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Jesus calling her name reignited in her her faith. She recognized Jesus once she heard Him speak her name.

What an incredible tale to tell about God speaking our name in the midst of our darkness. Mary’s relationship with Jesus was founded on her knowing her name. When God speaks her name trouble, doubts and fears disappear. Mary did not recognize Jesus when He asked her “Why are you crying?“ But she immediately did awakened to who was speaking to her when He called her by her name.

No matter what happens in life we must understand that our Lord lives.

1. Whatever circumstance that may come our way or whatever trouble we may face, know that Jesus lives.

2. No matter what may be our history or what we’ve just experienced, know that the tomb is empty and that angels are around to strengthen us.

3. In those dark moments when all you want to do is weep and cry, know that God is always around.

It is so important for us to have a relationship with God and to hear His voice calling our name. Not only has Jesus risen and is alive, but He knows us. He sees our tears, and our point of hopelessness. He knows our disappointments and the burdens that we carry. but more than that, He knows our name.

Lord, I am confident today that You are alive and well. Just as Mary found Your tomb empty, so today I know death has been defeated. The tomb is empty and You are victorious. Lord, help me to know You as I am known of You. Give me the grace to hear You calling my name in the midst of my darkness or sorrow. Let Your voice be my guiding light when the clouds cover the sun or when the rain seems to pour all day long. I know everything will be well because You live. Help me to dwell in Your word rather than be fearful of the tomb. In Your Name Jesus I pray, amen.