Daily Devotional (GPS)
Dawn Seekers Found Faith's Deepest Mystery
Daily Scripture
John 20:1-10
1 Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.” 3 Peter and the other disciple left to go to the tomb. 4 They were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and was the first to arrive at the tomb. 5 Bending down to take a look, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Following him, Simon Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 He also saw the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t with the other clothes but was folded up in its own place. 8 Then the other disciple, the one who arrived at the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 They didn’t yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Early Sunday, Mary, Peter and “the disciple whom Jesus loved” found the tomb empty. Mary’s initial guess that someone had taken the body was mistaken. “The body hasn’t been stolen. Who would bother to unwrap a corpse when taking it away for reburial?” * “Ancient Jewish men did not accept women as reliable witnesses for most legal purposes (their witness was limited, but less so, in Roman courts), and this cultural tendency may further move John and Peter to look for themselves.” ** The two men “saw and believed”—but didn’t yet understand (verse 9).
- Mary went to the tomb “while it was still dark.” There’s no sign that she expected to find Jesus alive but, in love and devotion, she was eager to care for his body as soon as possible. (Ironically, Jesus had challenged the Judean laws that forbade that as “work” on the Sabbath.) How can you nurture a desire to go to Jesus first, even in times of discouragement and darkness?
- When Jesus raised Lazarus in John 11:44, “The dead man came out, his feet bound and his hands tied, and his face covered with a cloth. Jesus said, ‘Untie him and let him go.’” No one had to untie Jesus. “Had robbers stolen the body (a rare practice) they would have taken it in its wrappings; had they left the wrappings, they would have left them in disarray. Whoever left them, left them there neatly.” *** The neat grave clothes said this resurrection was utterly different. Has your walk with God ever showed you something that didn’t fit your earlier ideas? How do you stay open to “believe”?
Prayer
Lord God, your creative power didn’t just work once, eons ago. It was the source of your resurrection and is always at work in my life and the world around me. Keep my mind open and willing to believe in all you want to do in my life. Amen.
GPS Insights
Katy Nall
Katy Nall serves as the Program Director of Missions for Resurrection West. She is a mom of two and loves to be outside in the sunshine, especially if it involves mountains or ocean. She loves hiking, reading, learning, and connecting.
What is the GPS?
Resurrection offers a free tool for those who wish to read the Bible daily. Our Grow/Pray/Study guide (GPS) provides a Bible reading, Scripture reflections based on the passage, inspirational quotes from leading Bible scholars, questions to help readers apply the Bible to their faith journey, and a daily prayer guide at the end of each day’s reflection. Many readers have told us the GPS has strengthened their spiritual growth and helped them better understand how to let the Bible guide them in Christian living.
