John

Check out all the previous John readings here.

John Reading Plan | Week 16, Day 1

Prayer

As you spend time with Jesus, allow your mind and body to settle until you feel fully present. Ask Him to help you learn more about Him today.

Bible Reading: John 20:1-10

Read these verses three times slowly.

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Reflection & Questions

It is early Sunday morning, and Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus had cast out seven demons and had been following Jesus ever since, goes to Jesus’ tomb. We’re not told why, but we can imagine that she is in deep grief and just wants to be close to his body. But to her horror, Jesus’ body is not there.

She runs to Peter and tells him, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” That is the most logical explanation of what has happened of course, but logic isn’t always right!Simon and another disciple (likely John) run to the tomb, and on entering, they see the grave clothes lying there as if the body had just dissolved. And we’re told “[John] saw and believed.” Believed what? What Jesus had said – He would rise again!

What we will see this week in our readings is that it took people different ways to finally come to believe. John believed even before he saw Jesus. Others took longer. But the truth is that Jesus does what He says He will do. He never fails. His words are to be completely trusted. What has Jesus not yet done that we are believing in? That He will come back! You can count on that as much as anything in this universe – He will be coming back to take us to be with Him!

1. What word or phrase in these verses sticks out to you in these verses? Why?
2. What was your journey to believing Jesus rose from the dead? Are you ready for His return?

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?