John 20
John 20
One of the many things that will jump off the page at you from John 20 was the interaction between Mary Magdalene and the risen Jesus. The chapter recounts how Mary, grieving at the tomb, encounters Jesus but doesn’t initially recognize Him. This moment is both profound and deeply personal.
Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels dressed in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”) (John 20:11-16).
Mary’s encounter with Jesus at the empty tomb is a powerful reminder of how our expectations can sometimes blind us to the new realities that God is creating. Mary came to the tomb looking for a dead body, and instead, she found the living Christ. It was only when Jesus called her by name that she recognized Him. This intimate moment highlights how deeply personal our relationship with Jesus can be and how He meets us where we are.
Another strong theme in this chapter is that of resurrection and new life. Throughout Jesus' ministry, He was all about bringing life—whether it was resurrecting the dead, healing the sick, or restoring broken lives. His resurrection is the ultimate testament to the power of life and renewal. It should make us reflect on how often we encounter situations in our own lives where we feel hopeless or stuck. It’s easy to think that certain aspects of our lives are beyond repair or renewal. But the message of John 20 reminds us that God is constantly working to bring new life into those seemingly dead areas of our existence. Mary’s experience at the tomb illustrates that even when we don’t recognize the new life that is unfolding, Jesus is there, ready to reveal it to us.
So, what does this mean for us today? It’s a call to embrace hope and trust in God’s ability to bring new beginnings, even when things seem dead or beyond redemption. Whether it’s a relationship, a personal struggle, or a dream that feels lost, God’s resurrection power is at work in our lives and these things will all be for His glory.
Our prayer has been for God to open our eyes and soften our heart to see and receive His new work in our lives. As we reflect on this, let’s remember that recognizing Jesus and His work often requires us to be attentive and open to His voice calling us by name. We hope this reflection brings you encouragement and insight. As we continue to journey day to day, let’s keep our hearts open to the transformative power of God. May we all find hope and renewal in the midst of our challenges and trust in the promise of new beginnings.
