“But in the dark expectant silence, the seed was stirring, the temple was re-building. Death had swallowed Life, and Death was dying.” (from Catalysts, 1980, Rene Dionne & Michael Fitzgerald)  See Hebrews 2:14-15

 

John 20 and 21 is some of the most evocative writing EVER. If you’re any good at imagining yourself in someone else’s sandals, try and be Mary Magdalene in those pre-dawn hours when she went to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been left. Why was she up so early? What was in her mind? Can you feel even a little of the pain she was experiencing? Run with her through the city to alert Peter and John. Stand with her outside the tomb as she wept and was questioned by the angels and the “gardener”. And hear with her the voice she loved best in the whole world, the voice she thought was silent forever, call her by name. Maybe you can feel her heart thumping as she realised RESURRECTION.

Or if you’re too male to put yourself in a woman’s heart, imagine yourself as Thomas behind the locked doors, or Peter on the beach. John gives enough detail to make it easy.

 

And tucked into the story some revolutionary statements. Here’s 3 of them:

 

• 21 verse 17 “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”
• verse 21 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Think through how Jesus was sent!
• verse 29  “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”