Thoughts on the Gospel of John (204) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.
John 20:8–10

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (204)
Peter and John received news from Mary Magdalene that the tomb of Jesus was open and empty. They quickly set out to inspect the place. It is said of John that he “saw and believed”. For him, there was no indication of a grave robbery; on the contrary, he concluded that Jesus must have risen.

Clearly, John now remembers the words of the Lord which he has heard several times: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again” (Luke 24:7). Until then, the disciples had not known the Old Testament statements about the resurrection of Jesus. How wrong, then, to claim that the disciples had invented stories about Jesus and His resurrection in order to present the prophecies of the Old Testament as having been fulfilled.

The resurrection of Jesus is one of the foundations of Christianity and is often denied. But why? It is one of the best attested facts of ancient times and is of paramount importance for Christians: “If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

The message of Jesus’ resurrection assures our faith of a secure future beyond death. At the same time, it provokes vehement objection from unbelief – for the resurrected Christ is ultimately the proof that the earth is threatened with judgment: the Man whom the world killed will one day be its judge (Acts 17:31).

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today’s reading: Isaiah 2:1-22 · Acts 21:1-14