What Jesus Did! 'Sunday Shake Up' — John 20:1-2

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to [Jesus'] tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
— John 20:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

Ever have one of those Sunday's when you didn't feel like doing the "church thing" or facing the challenges of getting everyone ready and pointed in the right direction? Most of us have! In fact, some of my hardest mornings have come on Sundays! That was true of Jesus' earliest and most faithful disciples, too. They came on Sunday morning to do a very hard and loving thing for their Lord; they came to anoint his body with spices. [1] There are no words to describe how hard this must have been for them - their spirits crushed and their dreams dashed by the death of Jesus. Yet like many of us and our bad-start Sundays, God would turn their hard morning into something precious and joyful. Yes, this Sunday in today's verses started with horror and hopelessness, yet we know how it ended! So on your bad-start Sunday mornings, remember Mary, Peter, and John (the disciple whom Jesus loved) and their bad Sunday that turned into a day no believer will ever forget!

[1] Mark 16:1-2.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for the hard times. I confess that I don't like them when they are happening, but looking back, I see where you have used those tough times to bring blessing, hope, and triumph from my heartache, sadness, and defeat. Thank you for not only raising Jesus from the dead but also for raising my heart to a place of hope and joy that earthbound sorrow and pain cannot erase. In Jesus' name, and because of Jesus' victory, I pray with joy. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • James 1:2-4
  • Romans 8:28-30
  • Revelation 1:9-17

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

UNPREDICTABLE: MY Lord!
Article by Phil Ware
In the middle of this mess, would you still have called Jesus Lord? Phil Ware continues his series on Jesus from the Gospel of John called unpredictable, and focuses on Mary Magdalene calling Jesus Lord in the middle of all sorts of grief, sorrow, despair, discouragement, loss, and hopelessness and is given the gift o
Faith Awaiting a Dawn
Article by Phil Ware
What happens when the sun rises on Sunday? Phil Ware shares insight on the resurrection of Jesus on Easter, and how Mary calls Jesus Lord when she doesn't know he is raised and how the beloved disciple saw the death clothes of Jesus and believed.
The Story: Garments of Grace
Article by Phil Ware
How can these grave clothes speak of a better hope? Phil Ware continues his series that parallels The Story and he brings us to the resurrection of Jesus through the humiliation of his disciples and himself and tying his message to the garments of Jesus.
Which Way Will I Run?
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
Will I run in faith to follow the Jesus of the empty tomb even if it means I have to follow him to a cross of my own? James Nored and Phil Ware share in video, words, and images some of the many reasons Christians have to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and is Lord, Christ, Jesus, and Son of God!
See All 7 Related Resources about John 20:1-2

Illustration

Illustration of John 20:1-2 NLT — "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, December 10, 2022

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Don’t Fear a Lack of Money – God Will Help'
"Don’t love money. Be happy with what you have because God has said, ‘I will never abandon you or leave you.’ So we can confidently say, "The Lord is....."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Servants to the Nations'
"Dear Friend, Two powerful themes from the Bible converge in this one story in today's Scripture about Philip and the Ethiopian dignitary:After My..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Let the Holy Spirit Guide Your Lives!' (Ga. 5:16)
"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by T. R. Milford:
"Christians must learn again what Christians have always known — how to live without immediate hopes in the world."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!