He Saw

And Believed

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;

John 20:1-8

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus’ arrest and subsequent crucifixion caused many of His followers to despair. The disciples themselves had lost hope. But their despondency evaporated on that first Easter morning when they found that the stone sealing the tomb had been moved aside. Jesus had risen!

Jesus soon appeared to Mary Magdalene and then to His disciples, who had gathered behind locked doors. His visit brought a remarkable change in them. They were overjoyed.

Perhaps your world has crashed around you. It may be a deeply personal loss, a tragedy in the family, loss of a career and income, a health issue or some other great trial. Jesus’ resurrection proved that He is greater than the greatest obstacles. He can rebuild your life – as He did with His disciples – starting today.

God can turn any difficulty into an opportunity.

Our Daily Bread – February 6, 2009