In the Beginning: The Book of John

(John 20:1-10 [HCSB])

1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him! ”

3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. 9 For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went home again.

Mary discovers an empty tomb

The initial belief, and greatest fear, of Mary Magdalene was that the body of her mentor and friend had been either moved or stolen. Ahmadi Muslims specifically believe that Jesus went to India to continue to preach to the Twelve Tribes, and that His tomb is there. Other Islamic sects, while not that specific in their understanding, do hold to the notion that Jesus did not die on the cross.

Gnostic Christians also believe, in extreme cases, that Jesus was not crucified on the cross, but that a phantom, or some celestial apparition, took His place. This false doctrine is called Docetism.

If the belief in an overarching conspiracy (one recorded as promoting the theft of Jesus’ body by the authorities in the conclusion of Matthew) holds true, then everyone lied openly; however, that position also presumes that the truth was also well known. If all held to complete falsehood (knowing the truth) then lie was never believed and the truth survived in secret. Now we call that secret truth Christianity. This is why the truth of Christianity has been railed against but never successfully debunked!

Peter and John had a competitive foot race to the open tomb only to discover what Mary Magdalene already knew to her astonishment: there was no corpse in the tomb. Interesting to note that John outruns Peter, enters the tomb, and believes … believes but does not yet understand. This is a mystery. And yes, there is an open reference to the Shroud of Turin and the Sudarium (or face covering).

Be willing to believe even if you do not yet understand.