An empty tomb marks a new beginning of weeks, as the Lord's Day for all believers (Acts 20:7 ).

John 20:1 "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, ..."

Women are specially known as believers who are wholehearted in their faithfulness and service. Mary went to the tomb early, before the other women who came (Matthew 28:1 ) It is not without significance that woman was last at the cross and first at the tomb, and they tend to be first in sacrifices and service today.

That the tomb is empty is the most fundamental fact of the gospel. Like Mary, we should run with the good news, (John 20:2 ), and like Peter and John attest the truth for ourselves with like eagerness (John 20:4 ). Outrunning Peter, John is awed by what he sees (John 20:4-5 ). Peter goes in and is followed into the tomb by John. It is the empty clothes that convince John that no-one had taken away the Lord, but that Jesus Christ was risen.

John 20:8 "... and he saw, and believed."

The reason given for their not believing before is the same reason why there are those who do not believe today.

John 20:9 "For as yet they knew not the scripture, ..."

Peter and John could go home, but Mary would not, she must see her Lord.

John 20:11 "... and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,"

Seeing angels could not stop her search for the reality of the Lord's presence (John 20:12 ).

John 20:13 "Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.""

Grief can blind to the reality of the Lord's presence.

John 20:14,15 "... she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. ¹⁵ ... She, supposing Him to be the gardener, ..."

It is possible to be so blinded by grief and desperate seeking that incorrect suppositions are assumed.

John 20:16 "Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher)."

Hearing His voice ended all doubt, removed the scales of blindness, brought revelation. There was to be no handling or touching or clinging to Him because He said,

John 20:17 "... for I am not yet ascended to my Father: ..."

This explains where the risen Lord was between His appearances to His disciples during those 40 days (Acts 1:3 ) before His visible ascension (Acts 1:9 ). The same day He appears again (John 20:19 ), showing He had presented Himself to His Father - indicating how unlimited is the risen body in His coming and going. Mary was first to receive this revelation and was sent to communicate it to His disciples, whom the Lord now called "My brethren" (John 20:17 ).

Westcott says, "He is Father of Christ by nature, and of men by grace."

John 20:19 "... the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, ..."

Securing the doors was a natural thing to do in view of recent Sanhedrin activity. Jesus coming and standing among them, unhindered by locked doors, demonstrated the superiority of the raised body that Paul called "spiritual" (1 Corinthians 15:44 ). Visible and tangible, recognisable but not confined to what are at present natural laws to us, and by this we know we shall, through the return of Christ, all be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51 ). We are given a glimpse of the abilities of our incorruptible bodies when we,

1 Corinthians 15:49 "... we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

Peace is secured by His death and the fact that He is alive forevermore.

John 20:19,20 "... 'Peace be with you.' ²⁰ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. ..."

The Lord, when revealed and recognised, brings the joy of settled conviction (John 20:20 ).

Peace and power are given to make His commission our mission.

John 20:21,22 "So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." ²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

Only as recipients of His peace are we able to obey His call to service. His peace reigning in the heart makes an able minister of reconciliation. Our commission is the continuation of His mission. We now become the body or vehicle for the action, work, and the supernatural ministry of the risen Son of God. His ministry can only be accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples received a personal foretaste of what they were to receive in a mighty baptism at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4 ). He who has all authority operates through His people.

John 20:23 "If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

To all who, like Peter, confess in faith that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God this privilege is given (Matthew 16:17-19 ). It is explained in:

Luke 24:47 "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Not a select, appointed few, but all believers who are His witnesses. The privilege is further bestowed on the whole church in matters of discipline (Matthew 18:15-19 ). Based on the ground that:

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

The living Lord works through us by the Holy Spirit - what a privilege!

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Does it surprise you that it was a women who was first at the empty tomb? (John 20:1 ).
2. What convinced John that no one had taken away the body of the Lord, but that He had truly risen? (John 20:4,5,8 ).
3. Do you think some would be excited that they had seen and talked to angels? Why was Mary not satisfied? (John 20:11-13 ).
4. Why was Mary not allowed by Jesus to touch Him? With what message was she sent and to whom? (John 20:17,18 ).
5. What does Jesus coming and standing among the disciples, unhindered by locked doors, tell you about the incorruptible body you are to receive? (John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 15:43,51 ).
6. Have you received His peace and power to make His commission your mission? (John 20:21-23 ).