We Have Seen the LordSampel

I Have Seen the Lord

The Easter story in John's Gospel comes to a crescendo and climax in today's reading. The Gospel reports that after Jesus suffered, died, and was buried, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus before dawn on the first day of the week. She found that the covering stone was taken away from the tomb and ran to Simon Peter and another disciple to report what she had seen.

John tells us that both disciples went to the empty tomb and, after witnessing it themselves, returned to their homes. But Mary stayed behind, weeping outside the tomb. At some point, Mary stooped in and looked into the tomb. She then saw two angels sitting where the body of Jesus was laid. They wanted to know why she was crying. In despair, Mary shared that she thought someone had taken away her Lord's body and did not know where they took it.

Something must have startled Mary because John tells us that at this time, Mary turned around and saw Jesus standing behind her. He asked her why she was crying and whom she was seeking. She does not immediately recognize Him and answers that she is looking for Jesus. Amid her anguish and grief, Jesus calls her by name. In the tenderness of His personal response, she now recognizes Him. She sees her risen Lord and responds by calling Him Rabbon—the Aramaic word for teacher. Jesus then gives Mary a divine commission to go and declare that He is risen and ascending to God, the Father. Her resurrected Lord tasks Mary to announce that the penalty for sin has been paid and that His resurrection overcomes death! Mary leaves the empty tomb and declares to the disciples: "I have seen the Lord!"

This Easter, may each of us witness the reality of the empty tomb. May we hear the risen Lord call us in all tenderness by name. May we be witnesses of the presence of the resurrected Lord in our lives. May our hearts and minds be overcome by the news that the death and resurrection of our Savior have conquered sin and death. May we be empowered to become witnesses to the world with the message: "I have seen the Lord!" He is risen, and our debts are paid in full. He is risen, and death is conquered. He is risen, and He reigns at the righthand of the Father. He is risen and will come again in glory! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice of Your Son, our Savior. May our hearts be emboldened to long for Him. May our ears recognize His tender voice calling to us. May we see Him resurrected in glory. May we comprehend the power of His resurrection. Make us witnesses of Your Son. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!

Corné J. Bekker, D. Litt. et Phil., serves as the dean for the Regent University School of Divinity.