He saw and believed

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Ndisondela Kuwe

University of Johannesburg

Today is Easter Sunday, the 5th of April.

A very happy Easter to you! We pray that the joy of this day would come alive in you in a new way, as we hear the University of Johannesburg Choir sing 'Ndisondela Kuwe', “I come to you in prayer, almighty God. You are worthy to be praised.”

2:25

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.

John 20:1-9

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 towards 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; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

4:26

Wilderness Roads (Instrumental)

Mary Magdalene, Peter and John take their first confused steps towards belief that Jesus has risen from the dead, even though they don’t fully understand what this means or how it will affect their lives. How do you detect the resurrection of Jesus in your life and in the world?

Jesus’ disciples took time to understand the full implications of his resurrection, and Matthew’s gospel tells us that even after forty days of risen appearances, some still doubted. Is there anything that makes it hard for you to believe that Jesus has conquered death and sin forever?

As you hear the reading repeated, imagine that you are in the empty tomb on the first Easter morning. Remembering Jesus’ recent death, what is your response to what you see?

7:32

John 20:1-9

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 towards 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; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

9:21

Jesus pronounced blessed all who would come to believe in him without having seen his risen body. What graces and blessings do you find yourself wanting to ask of the risen Jesus this Easter day?

11:39

We adore you O Christ and we bless you

For by your Holy Cross and Resurrection, You have redeemed the world.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen