“… and he saw and believed.”

by Klaus Detlev Schulz

“…and he saw and believed.” – John 20: 1-10

This passage in the Gospel of John is truly a marvelous story of how the first witnesses processed the discovery of the empty tomb. They were not expecting the resurrection even if Jesus had clearly spoken about it on many occasions (v. 9). Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb and when she saw that the stone to the entrance of the tomb had been moved, she hurried to Simon Peter and the disciples sharing with them her conclusion that Jesus’ body must have been taken away to an unknown place. Simon and the beloved disciple, John, then made their way to the tomb themselves. In fact, curiosity spurred them on; it became a race to the tomb between the two, where the beloved disciple arrived first but made way for Peter to enter and discover that the body was gone with only the cloths covering Christ’s body and face remaining behind. Peter must have remained puzzled. After that the disciple John entered also, and from what he saw he concluded that Christ must have risen: “He saw and he believed” it says. For him, the linen and face cloth is proof enough that the tomb is not only empty but that the Lord has risen from the dead.

Around the world, believers like John celebrate the resurrected Christ. They celebrate that God is at work in this event, having raised His Son from the dead. Easter is truly the feast of great celebration because He is alive and He is risen which means that the power of death has lost its sting (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). Sin and our condemnation do not have the last say; we will live by rising with Christ to be with him eternally.

That resurrection has already begun with our baptism but at Easter we are also looking ahead to our bodily resurrection. Now that Christ has risen, darkness gives way to light (John 8:12) and doubt is replaced with faith and joy. Celebrating Easter around the world has Christians attend their respective churches, parade the streets, and celebrate at home.

But that joy is not shared by everyone in this world. Many doubt its miraculous nature. Others simply reject it. The good news of Easter still finds doubters and meets unbelief.  As Christians, we pray for all of them that darkness in their life may give way to light and joy. We have a wonderful message to uphold and to share with others.

May God bless us all with the joy and hope of Easter. Christ has risen; He is risen indeed. Hallelujah.

We pray: Dear Lord Jesus Christ. We give you thanks for taking upon yourself the sins of the world and becoming a sacrifice on our behalf so that we may inherit eternal life. On this day we celebrate your victory over death, of breaking the curse of sin and eternal death. We praise and honor you and eagerly await your return in glory. Amen

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Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schulz is General Secretary of the International Lutheran Council.

Image: “St. John and St. Peter at Christ’s Tomb,” Giovanni Francesco Romanelli, c. 1640.