Resurrection Devotional - Day 1

Read John 20:1-18.

The disciples’ varying experiences at the empty tomb reveals the importance of tarrying in our walk with Jesus. Mary is the first to the tomb, and the last to leave. She tells the other disciples about the empty tomb and Peter and John rush to the site. They witness the empty tomb and the graves clothes left behind by Jesus, but they miss the encounter with Jesus because they rush back to where they were.

Mary entered into her grief and tarried by the tomb.

She encounters the exalted Jesus, the resurrected Jesus and at first mistakes him for the gardener. This is significant because Adam, the first man who sinned was a gardener. The curse that began in a garden long ago has now come to an end at the garden. Adam and Eve hid in shame and experienced spiritual death in the garden of Eden because of their disobedience. Jesus rose exalted in victory over death in this garden through his obedience.

Mary is the first apostle, sent by Jesus to let the other disciples know that he is risen. She was able to have this experience and encounter with Jesus because she learned to tarry. This Resurrection Week would you practice slowing down and waiting for Jesus? Rather than hurrying and rushing through your day and your life, go slow and go through it all with Jesus.

He is risen!