Early Sunday, Mary Magdalene finds Jesus’ tomb empty and tells Peter and John, “They’ve taken the Lord away!” They race to the tomb—John gets there first but waits, peering in. Peter barges inside, seeing the empty cloths, the face cloth folded separately. Then John steps in, sees, and believes—even though they hadn’t fully grasped what Jesus meant about His death and resurrection.
John 20:8
“The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed.”
John hints he was the first to believe because of that empty tomb. Interesting, right? Mary doesn’t even enter at first—just runs for help. John hesitates, noticing the cloths. Peter dives in, eager to investigate.
Later, Mary returns while Peter and John head back to tell the others. She peers in, sees two angels where Jesus lay, and asks, “What have they done with my Lord?” Then Jesus says, “Who are you seeking?” Thinking He’s the gardener, she pleads, “Tell me where you put Him.”
John 20:16
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’—which means ‘Teacher.’”
Wow! When Jesus calls her by name, “Mary,” it hits her—He’s alive! Her Lord, risen!
I love how Jesus’ voice awakens her. One word, “Mary,” and her grief turns to joy, her doubt to belief. He sends her to tell the others, and she runs with the greatest news ever: “He’s alive!”
Amazing, the same Jesus who conquered death calls us by name today. When we discover the empty tomb, will we trust in His resurrection? Will you join Mary and John? Will you trust the risen Lord with all your heart and tell the world He’s alive? Let’s not just marvel at the resurrection—let’s live it, sharing His victory whenever possible.
