Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So, she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead (John 20.1-9; my emphases)
What did Peter and the other disciple see and believe?
Only the truth of Mary of Magdala’s report:
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,
and we do not know where they have laid him.”
For they could not conceive
of the fulfillment
of his oft proclaimed word of promise that he,
as the Word (already, alway Being the fulfillment
of his words),
would rise…
Rise above this world’s evil
that, though, even whilst ever assaulting innocence,
ever proves its impotence.
For the worst that evil will do is kill.
Beyond the offence of death,
evil ne’er can do more.
Nay, they could not conceive that he –
death, the imagined, inexorable end of all living,
its hold feeble, unable to keep him dead –
would (ah, what Holy Surprise!) rise.
Illustration: St. Peter and St. John Run to the Tomb, James Tissot (1836-1902)
occasional observations of mind and heart, soul and spirit 
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your Holy Week posts this week. And may you and Pontheolla experience Easter blessings of renewal and resurrection tomorrow.
Love,
Karen, Ted, and Emilia
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Thank you, dear Karen. Love and Easter glad tidings to you, Ted, and Emilia from Pontheolla and me
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Paul,
Happy Easter to you, Pontheolla and all the great people of Epiphany Laurens!!!!
I’ve often thought about what I would have felt and thought had I been at the tomb and only saw the linen wrappings that Jesus had been wrapped in. Would I have thought he had just been moved, or would I have believed that he had risen, just as he said he would?? I’d love to believe that I would instantly had believed and been overjoyed that Jesus had risen above it all!! As an investigator though, I would probably have looked for evidence that Jesus had risen, and of course it would have been great to have see it on surveillance video. What it comes down to is that what we believe has to be based on our faith!! Just as Jesus rose, we have to rise about our doubts and rise above our sinful behavior to live the life that Jesus died for us to have.
Much love!
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“What it comes down to is that what we believe has to be based on our faith!! Just as Jesus rose, we have to rise about our doubts and rise above our sinful behavior to live the life that Jesus died for us to have.”
Word!
This, in my view, is the point!
This’ll preach!
Love
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