He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.
—John 20:15-18

~~~~~

As Sent, So He Sends
By Jennifer Kane

He was not sent as a philosopher,
though wisdom was His breath—
older than the stars,
gentler than any teacher’s tongue.
He spoke not theories,
but names—
like Mary in the garden,
where sorrow bloomed into joy.

He was not sent as an inventor,
though He could have bent nature’s laws
with a single thought.
Yet the greatest miracle
was the folded cloth in an empty tomb—
a quiet victory,
woven with hope.

He was not sent as a conqueror,
though He could have shattered every empire.
Rome stood tall,
but He slipped past the sealed stone
without a sound.
No trumpet,
only peace breathed into fearful hearts
behind locked doors.

He was sent
to teach what heaven looks like on earth.
To stoop and serve,
to stand among wounds and doubts,
to say—”Peace be with you”
where fear once lived.

He was sent
to live among us,
to know the salt of our tears,
the weight of our grief.
He met Thomas in uncertainty,
offering scars instead of scorn—
“My Lord and my God,”
the only answer
when faith meets fact.

He was sent
to suffer,
not as punishment,
but as promise—
truth and love
nailed to a cross,
then risen with the morning light.

He was sent
to rescue—
not with sword or schemes,
but with breath and blessing.
“As the Father sent Me,
so I send you.”
A call,
a mission,
a whisper from the Risen One
still echoing through locked hearts
today.

~~~~~

Scripture: John 20:1-31

John 20 is the turning point of history—the moment when death was defeated, hope was restored, and the reason Jesus came to earth was revealed in its full glory. From the empty tomb to His appearances to Mary Magdalene and the disciples, this chapter is the heartbeat of the gospel.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), and to bring life—life to the full (John 10:10). John 20 shows us that He accomplished all of this—and more.

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, expecting to mourn. Instead, she found the stone rolled away. Peter and John ran to see for themselves, and though they did not yet understand, the evidence of the resurrection was before them.

The resurrection is proof that Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted by the Father. The empty tomb is not just a symbol of victory—it is a declaration that sin, shame, and death no longer have the final word. Jesus finished the work He was sent to do (John 19:30), and the resurrection is the Father’s “Amen” to the Son’s “It is finished.”

Mary wept until she heard her name spoken by the risen Lord. In one moment, grief turned to joy, and confusion turned to commission. Jesus told her, “Go to my brothers…” and she became the first witness of the resurrection.

Jesus came to bring personal transformation. He calls us by name. His mission wasn’t just to die and rise—it was to restore relationship. Like Mary, we are not left in sorrow. We are sent with joy.

Fear had locked the doors, but it couldn’t keep Jesus out. He stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then He breathed on them, giving the Holy Spirit, and gave them a mission: to go as He was sent.

Jesus didn’t just rise—He sends. His mission becomes ours: to proclaim forgiveness, to bring peace, and to go into the world with the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the fruit of the resurrection: peace and purpose.

Thomas wanted to see the wounds for himself. When Jesus appeared again, He met Thomas right in his doubt, saying, “Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas responded, “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus came to conquer not only death, but also disbelief. He meets us in our questions and invites us into deeper faith. The risen Jesus is not afraid of our doubt—He calls us to trust in the One who still bears the scars for our sake.

John concludes this chapter by stating the purpose of his writing: “That you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

This is the reason Jesus came: not just to show us the way, but to be the way. Not just to speak truth, but to embody truth. Not just to improve life—but to give eternal life. He was sent so that we might believe and live. That’s the heart of the gospel.

Today, tell someone why the resurrection matters. Whether through a conversation, a post, or a note of encouragement—share the good news that Jesus is alive and still calling people by name.

~~~~~

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth with a mission—to save, to restore, and to give life. Thank You for the cross, the empty tomb, and the peace You bring. Help me to live in the power of Your resurrection and to walk boldly in the purpose You have given. May I never forget the reason You were sent and the victory You’ve secured. Amen.

July 15 2025