John 20:1

John 20:1

John 20:1 records Mary Magdalene’s early visit to the tomb on the first day of the week, noting that it was still dark and that she saw the stone removed. This moment is pivotal: it opens the apostolic witness to the empty tomb and the resurrection. The darkness of the morning can symbolize confusion and grief that gives way to dawning revelation. Mary’s act of going early demonstrates faithful devotion even in sorrow. The stone being rolled away prompts immediate questions about what happened to Jesus’ body, setting the stage for the confounding but transformative encounter that follows with the risen Christ.

The empty tomb is the Christian’s central confident claim: Jesus is alive. This verse begins the chain of testimonies that culminate in the resurrection accounts. Mary’s faithfulness in the midst of grief becomes a witness to the world. The timing—early on the first day of the week—establishes a new rhythm for Christian worship and memory, a shift from Sabbath-centered to Lord’s Day-centered practice that has shaped Christian tradition.

This verse invites you to bring your own grief and questions to God, trusting that even when you start in darkness, God can bring dawn. Practical steps: create a habit of praying and reflecting on the Resurrection narrative each Sunday, journal questions you bring to God in times of sorrow, and look for signs of new life in your circumstances—small blessings, restored relationships, or personal growth. Embrace the invitation to live with the expectation that God’s work often begins in the daybreak moments of life.

Cross-References: Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 28:1-6; Luke 24:1-12; Mark 16:2-6