Scripture in Action

Aneel Aranha is an author, preacher, and evangelist who has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. You can find a huge selection of his reflections, articles, sermons, songs and other resources on his app.

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Scripture in Action

John 20:1-2 - The Empty Tomb

June 25, 2024 • Aneel Aranha • Season 2 • Episode 181

0:00 | 3:35

In John 20:1-2, Mary Magdalene's discovery of the empty tomb teaches us about seeking Jesus in dark times and the unexpected nature of God's work.

John 20:1-2 - The Empty Tomb — Aneel Aranha

Hello and welcome to the Bite-Sized Gospel. Today, we will reflect on John 20:1-2. Listen.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

In these two short verses, we witness the beginning of the most extraordinary event in human history - the discovery of Jesus' resurrection. And it starts with Mary Magdalene.

It's significant that Mary goes to the tomb "while it was still dark." This detail speaks not only of the time of day but also of Mary's emotional state. The darkness symbolizes her grief, her sense of loss, her confusion. Yet, despite this darkness, she still goes to the tomb. Her love for Jesus compels her to seek him, even when all seems lost.

When Mary arrives, she finds the stone removed from the entrance. This would have been shocking. Tombs were sealed to prevent grave robbers and to contain the smell of decay. An open tomb was not what she expected.

Mary's immediate reaction is one of distress. She assumes that someone has taken Jesus' body. In her grief and confusion, resurrection is not even a possibility in her mind. She runs to tell Peter and John, expressing her bewilderment and concern.

This passage reminds us of the importance of seeking Jesus, even in our darkest moments. Mary's devotion led her to the tomb when others were still in hiding. Her love for Jesus compelled her to act, even when hope seemed lost.

It also shows us that sometimes, the first signs of God's miraculous work in our lives can be confusing or even distressing. Mary saw the empty tomb as a problem, not realizing it was the first sign of the greatest miracle of all.

Furthermore, we see the importance of community in times of crisis. Mary doesn't keep her discovery to herself but immediately shares it with others. In our moments of confusion or distress, we too should turn to our faith community for support and wisdom.

As we reflect on this passage, let's ask ourselves: Do I seek Jesus even in my darkest moments? Am I open to seeing God's work in unexpected ways? Do I share my spiritual experiences and concerns with others in my faith community?

May we, like Mary, be devoted seekers of Jesus. May we have the courage to approach him even when all seems dark. And may we be open to the surprising ways God might reveal himself to us.

God bless you.