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Happy Easter. Yes, I know it's October.
This week I'm in John 20 — the pinnacle of John's Gospel, and the story of that first Easter morning. Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb while it is still dark, in chaos and heartbreak and fear, and she finds the stone rolled away. What follows is a story about grief, unmet expectations, and how easy it is to miss the presence of Christ even when he's standing right in front of us.
I walk through John's quiet trajectory of sight in the Greek — from blepei (just noticing), to theorei (really looking, evaluating), to eiden (seeing and believing) — and why Mary couldn't recognize Jesus until she heard him say her name.
From there we sit with the disciples behind locked doors, and with Thomas a week later. I don't think Thomas is really doubting so much as making a declaration out of his grief, the way we do: If God were real, why would this happen? And Jesus doesn't shame him for it. He meets him with a gracious invitation: "Come to me. Put your finger here. Stop doubting and believe."
We land where John lands — with the final beatitude: "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). We believe, and then we begin to see the hand of God all over our lives. Resurrection faith gives us sight. Believing is indeed seeing.
Scripture: John 20:1–31
In this message:
- Why the angels never get to say "Do not be afraid" to Mary
- Yes, John really did make sure we know he outran Peter (three times)
- How grief and unmet expectations can blind us to Christ's presence
- Why we need to be listening for our Shepherd to call us by name
- What it means to live as the blessed who believe without seeing
If you're walking through grief or a season of unmet expectations right now, I pray this meets you where you are. He will meet you there, too.
— Daniel
Listen to more messages:
Peace Presbyterian Church — https://peacepresflint.com/sermons
Acts 13 Network — https://acts13.net/messages
