The Visit to The Empty Tomb, John 20:1–10. – Part 1

Church History: 1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10Then the disciples went back to their homes

If Christ gave his life as ransom, and had not taken it up again, it would not have appeared that his giving it was accepted as satisfaction. It was a great trial to Mary, that the body was gone. Weak believers often make that the matter of complaint, which is really just ground of hope, and matter of joy. It is well when those more honored than others with the privileges of disciples, are more active than others in the duty of disciples; more willing to take pains, and run hazards, in a good work. We must do our best, and neither envy those who can do better, nor despise those who do as well as they can, though they come behind. The disciple whom Jesus loved in a special manner, and who therefore in a special manner loved Jesus, was foremost. The love of Christ will make us to abound in every duty more than anything else. He that was behind was Peter, who had denied Christ. A sense of guilt hinders us in the service of God. As yet the disciples knew not the Scripture; that Christ must rise again from the dead.7
There was no one thing of which the apostles were more concerned about than to produce substantial proof than the resurrection of their Master had occurred.
1. Because it was that which he himself appealed to as the last and most cogent proof of his being the Messiah.
2. Because it was upon this the performance of his undertaking for our redemption and salvation depended.
3. Because he never showed himself alive after his resurrection to all the people.
Here we have the first step towards the proof of Christ's resurrection, which is, that the sepulchre was found empty. He is not here, and, if so, they must tell us where he is or we conclude him risen.
Mary Magdalene, coming to the sepulchre, finds the stone taken away. She came as soon as she could, for she came, on the first day of the week. Finding the stone taken away, she hastens back to Peter and John, who probably lodged together at that end of the town, not far off, and tells them: "They have taken the Lord out of the sepulchre, denying him the honor of such a decent burying-place, and we don’t know where they have laid him, nor where to find him, that we may pay him the remainder of our last respects."