For most Christians, the news of the Lord’s resurrection is no longer some news. Many will not even remember when they heard it for the first time. Nevertheless, I still question myself if I have any faith and understanding of resurrection – both the resurrection of Christ Jesus and the resurrection of the body at Judgment Day.
On the day of the Lord’s resurrection, the disciples of Jesus did not expect the news. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb for she assumed that the dead body of Jesus was still behind the stone cover of his tomb. When Mary Magdalene reported the empty tomb to Peter and the other disciple, they ran to the tomb to check because they did not expect it. If they had been ready for the news, they would have gathered somewhere waiting for Jesus.
Moreover, we are not sure if the two apostles’ faith in resurrection became complete even after they went in and saw the empty tomb. John’s gospel does not tell anything about Peter’s reaction. The other disciple went in, saw, and believed. But we do not know if the other disciple had the complete faith in the resurrection or now believed what Mary Magdalene had reported. Anyway, both went to their homes. Why did they not bring the news of the resurrection to others? If they had finally arrived at the faith and understanding of the resurrection, they would have reacted differently. John’s gospel adds, “as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.”
What about Mary Magdalene? Her sorrow must have been too deep. The presence of the two angels did not surprise her at all. When the angels asked her why she was weeping, without hesitation, she answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Now, she saw Jesus standing but did not recognize him. Jesus asks the same question, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She answers, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” She was looking for Jesus, the Jesus before his death, while the risen Jesus was in front of her.
How did these things happen? The three closest disciples of Jesus all seem to have failed to arrive at the complete faith of the resurrection of Jesus. They must have heard him saying he would rise from the dead in three days.
When Mary Magdalene eventually recognized Jesus, she wanted to hold on to Jesus. And Jesus tells her not to. She thought the Jesus she had known was before her. But Jesus teaches her it is now different. He is not her “Rabbouni” (Teacher) anymore. Now Jesus is her Brother. Now he calls his disciples his brothers. And the Father in heaven is now not only his Father but also their Father.
When Mary Magdalene announced to the disciples, she called Jesus “the Lord”. Her faith grew. Her understanding of the resurrection becomes close to its completion.
I pray that Christ Jesus may reveal his risen life to me one day. Then, rather than going back to my home, I will run and announce the news of his resurrection.
