John 20:1-31 – Resurrected for Liberation: A Faith Beyond Fear

The Text in Context

This chapter, the climax of the “Book of Glory” in John’s Gospel, describes the most pivotal event in Christian history: the resurrection of Jesus. It recounts the discovery of the empty tomb and Jesus’ subsequent appearances to Mary Magdalene and his disciples. The chapter’s central theme is the new life and hope that Jesus’ resurrection brings, not just for him, but for all who believe.

Chapter 20 emphasizes the transformative power of the resurrection and its profound implications for how we live. The resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith. It signifies God’s ultimate triumph over death and injustice, demonstrating that even death itself cannot hold back God’s love and power. It calls us to live with hope and courage, even when we are surrounded by fear and doubt, because we know that death is not the end of the story.

From a historical and critical perspective, John’s account of the resurrection has some unique features. John emphasizes personal encounters with the risen Jesus, highlighting the deeply personal and transformative nature of faith in the resurrected Christ. It’s not just about believing in a historical event; it’s about encountering the living Christ.

Unlike the other Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), which often focus on angelic announcements of the resurrection, John presents Mary Magdalene as the first witness of the risen Christ. This is significant. In that time, women’s testimony was often not considered credible. John’s portrayal of Mary as the first to see the risen Jesus reflects the early Christian movement’s radical inclusion of women in leadership roles and as witnesses to the most important event in history.

When the risen Jesus appears to his disciples, he offers them peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This moment parallels the creation story in Genesis 2:7, where God breathes life into humanity. Just as God gave life to Adam, Jesus gives new life to his followers through the Spirit. It’s a re-creation, a new beginning.

Thomas’s encounter with the risen Jesus is particularly important. Thomas’s doubt, while often criticized, is relatable. He represents those who struggle to believe without physical proof. Jesus’ appearance to Thomas, and Thomas’s subsequent confession, “My Lord and my God!” emphasize that faith is not just blind belief; it’s a response to a real encounter with the living Christ, even if we haven’t seen him physically. It speaks to the experience of those who come to faith later, based on the testimony of others.

Finally, John 20:30-31 states the purpose of the Gospel: to inspire belief in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, so that through believing, we may have life in his name. The whole Gospel is written so that readers might come to this belief and experience the life-changing power of the resurrection.

Highlights

• John 20:1-10: Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb and the subsequent investigation by Peter and the “beloved disciple” set the stage for the encounter with the risen Jesus.
• John 20:11-18: Jesus’ appearance to Mary Magdalene is a powerful example of his personal care and the importance of witness. Her initial failure to recognize him until he speaks her name highlights the personal nature of our relationship with the risen Lord.
• John 20:19-23: Jesus’ appearance to the disciples, bringing peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit, signifies the beginning of the new community of believers.
• John 20:24-29: Thomas’s doubt and subsequent confession emphasize the importance of faith, even for those who haven’t seen the risen Jesus with their own eyes.
• John 20:30-31: These verses explain the purpose of the Gospel: to lead readers to believe in Jesus and experience the life that comes through faith in him.

Key Points for Reflection:

Overcoming Fear – The resurrection empowers us to overcome fear and to live boldly in the face of challenges. This is essential for those who are working for social and environmental change.

New Life and Hope (John 20) – The resurrection of Jesus offers hope in the face of despair and reminds us that new life is always possible. How can this hope sustain us as we work for a more just and sustainable future?

Women as Witnesses (John 20:1-18) – Mary Magdalene is the first to proclaim the resurrection, affirming the voice of women in faith.

Peace in the Midst of Fear (John 20:19-21) – The risen Christ brings peace, not through conquest but through presence.

A Call to Action (John 20:21) – The resurrected Jesus commissions his followers to continue his work. This is a call to action for us to participate in his ongoing work of liberation and healing in the world. The Gospel calls us to live out Christ’s radical love.

Believing Without Seeing (John 20:24-29) – Thomas is not condemned for doubt but invited to experience Christ’s presence and to find deeper faith.