[8] Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; [9] for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. (ESV) [10] Then the disciples went back to their homes. (John 20:8–10)
Who are we to be so blessed? I ask this both seriously and sincerely. Who are we to be so blessed?
Simon Peter and John (“the other disciple”) were told Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb. They rushed to the tomb, verifying the report. Jesus’ body was not in the tomb.
Yet they still didn’t understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead. For all they knew, religious or civil leaders had taken Jesus’ body. They had not yet witnessed the resurrected Lord.
This is why we are so blessed. We have not yet seen Jesus, but by the power of the Holy Spirit we understand the Scriptures.
- We know Jesus’ death and resurrection were foreshadowed in the Old Testament. (Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53:10)
- We know Jesus had to suffer and die only to rise three days later. (Matthew 20:18-19, Luke 24:6-7)
- We know that there were hundreds of witnesses of Jesus after his resurrection. (John 20:26, 1 Corinthians 15:4-8)
- We know Jesus died and was raised to earn forgiveness of sins for the world. (John 1:29, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Galatians 1:3-5)
Who are we to be so blessed? We are children of God the Father, redeemed by Christ, preserved in the faith by the Holy Spirit. All of this our because Jesus was resurrected from the dead, proof positive that Jesus had atoned for all sin.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the congregations of the Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 