The apostle John wrote after Jesus died on the cross Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus, “took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulcher was near at hand”, and in chapter twenty and verse one of his book John shared how, “the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher” where we read:
The first day of the week came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher,
and saw the stone taken away from the sepulcher.
The verse reads, “The first day of the week came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, ...” John began with the words, “the first day of the week” which means “the premier sunrise to sunset which began the week or Sunday” “came Mary Magdalene” or “arose and appeared Mary whose name means their rebellion Magdalene which means a tower and was the name identifying her as from Magdala”, “early when it was yet dark” which means “in the morning during the fourth watch of the night which was from 3 o'clock in the morning until 6 o'clock approximately at the time and moment there was still darkness”, “unto the sepulcher” or “to the cenotaph, grave or tomb where Jesus was laid”. John shared how “Mary Magdalene” arose “early” in the morning while it was still “dark” outside and “came” to the tomb where Jesus was buried.
The verse continues, “... and saw the stone taken away from the sepulcher.” John added the words, “and saw the stone” or “and observed, beheld and noticed the building stone which was blocking the entrance” “taken away from the sepulcher” which means “removed and taken away from the cenotaph, grave or tomb”. John shared how “Mary Magdalene” observed the huge building “stone” removed from the entrance of the tomb where Jesus was buried.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how “Mary Magdalene” went to the tomb where Jesus was buried very “early” in the morning on the “first day of the week”. When she arrived, she noticed the huge stone that was used to block the entrance to the tomb was no longer there. We can only imagine the thoughts that went through her head, but we know she was troubled by what she saw. We will see how she reacts to this observation in our next few verses, but for now, let us realize in advance that Jesus was gone, risen and resurrected from the dead. His resurrection proved His power over death and enabled Him to offer everlasting life to every person who believes and trusts in Him. As Jesus said in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”. Every person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God in Heaven. Let all who read these words “behold the absence of the stone” and yield their lives to Him.
Next time John shares how Mary Magdalene tells Simon Peter and John, “they have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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