Easter Sunday

WesleyMen Lenten & Easter Devotionals 2025

Gospel Lectionary

John 20:1-18 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

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. 2 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.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed, 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her.

Reflection

Mary Magdalene understands what it means to be on the move. Indeed, she has special expertise in moving through hard situations. Sometimes the movement has been in negative directions. For instance, though Scripture does not state it, tradition describes her as a prostitute.

Other times, the movement is in response to poor treatment from others. An example is the way Jewish people were wronged after the Maccabees rebelled in the 2nd century B.C.E. For many years following the Maccabean Revolt, Jews were often viewed with suspicion by Roman authorities. Yes, Mary Magdalene knew what it was to be mistreated. Much like modern migrants facing discrimination and hardship, she and other Jewish people were treated as outsiders in their own land.

Yet, Mary’s life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters Jesus. He offers her what she needs most—acceptance and forgiveness. But just as she begins moving forward in this new life, everything comes to a devastating halt. Jesus, the One who has transformed her life, is arrested, crucified, and buried. She has seen suffering before, but nothing like this.

To make matters worse, when Mary Magdalene comes early on the first Easter morning to prepare Jesus’ body for burial, the tomb is empty. Assuming someone has stolen His body, she stands weeping outside the tomb.

Then something extraordinary happens that changes her life. She hears Jesus call her by name. Though she does not recognize Jesus’ face (John 20:14), His voice calling her name is unforgettable (John 20:16). Will this put her on the move in a positive direction again?

Now that is a solution to those times when we find ourselves at a standstill or, worse, moving in the wrong direction. God Almighty sets us on the forward track again. Indeed, this is the only way that some situations will be resolved. It may not be how and when we expect. After all, who would have anticipated Jesus’ death and resurrection? But the reality is that in God’s time and way, the most definitive standstills can be overcome. Nothing in life is too stalled for God to jumpstart.

Because of Christ’s victory, we can move forward after the loss, the failure, the heartbreak. The crushed dream can be reframed. We can migrate to a new place. A new chapter can begin. It may not look exactly as we had planned, but the promise is not that life will unfold according to our expectations. The promise is that God is always leading us forward- transforming us more and more into the likeness of Christ. Are there areas in your life where you feel stuck? Can you identify places where you need resurrection hope? Easter is our reminder that in Christ, we are a people on the move. And by the grace of God, we can move forward in faith, one step at a time.

Call to Action

Name an area in your life where instead of being “on the move,” you are at a standstill. On this Resurrection Sunday, commit to moving forward empowered by the Resurrected Jesus.

Prayer

God, better than anyone, You know when I am at a standstill or moving in the wrong direction in my walk with You. You also are continually calling me to be “on the move.” Thank You, that through Jesus Christ, You keep calling and empowering me to move forward. Help me to hear and respond to that call, day after day. Amen and Amen.

Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, President of the World Methodist Council