Resurrection, Uncategorized

Resurrection 9: Breakfast On the Beach

Leave a comment

We are on the beach of the Sea of Galilee, almost certainly close to Capernaum. This is the 9th of our resurrection encounters with Jesus.

Breakfast on the Beach

21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.[c] 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Resurrection encounter

Weymouth: 13th May 2026

Third Appearance to the Disciples
We have already seen that Jesus appeared to a group of his disciples on the day of his resurrection. The significant feature of that appearance was the absence of Thomas. He appeared about a week later to the whole group, including Thomas. Both of those appearances occurred when the disciples were in a safe house in the back streets of Jerusalem, behind locked doors, for fear of the Jewish leaders. You may recall that during the first resurrection appearance to Mary Magdalene, an angel told Mary that the risen Christ had gone ahead of them into Galilee. ‘There, you will see him.’ (Matthew 28:7). In this account, John tells us that the group have returned from Jerusalem to Galilee, and as promised, Jesus appears to them. This, says John is the third time that Jesus appeared to them as a group (v14).

153 Fish
The disciples are gathered together on the shores of Lake Galilee. Peter and some of the group are fishing. These guys are fishermen. They are experts of their trade. As happens sometimes, they are unsuccessful. They have caught nothing.

A man on the shore shouts out to them. ‘Caught anything?’ They look at the man. None of them recognise him. Perhaps he is a trader looking for fish. ‘Try throwing your nets out on the other side of the boat.’ Such a suggestion is not so unusual. Sometimes, someone on the shore can see darkness or disturbance in the water which the fishermen can’t.  Whatever – there’s nothing to lose. The nets are thrown out and immediately it’s clear that something is happening. The net is full. So full that they need to call in other boats to haul them in. Not just fish. Large fish. 153 large fish.

4th Century Saint Jerome, suggests that the number 153 represents the total number of fish species known in the ancient world. He suggests that this means that the good news of Christ’s resurrection is for every nation and every people group. The fact that the net doesn’t break means that Christ’s love is for everyone.

Other interpretations are available.

It is the Lord
It’s the Apostle John who suddenly recognises the man on the beach. ‘It is the LORD.’ In his excitement, Peter leaps into the water and runs to the shore about 100 yards away to greet Jesus. Fishing is hard and wet work. Fishermen like Peter didn’t wear much. He grabs his robe. This detail is there for a reason. To greet Jesus whilst undressed would be inappropriate. The others turn their boat towards shore. There’s no way the net can be lifted into the boat so they drag it into the shallows.

Breakfast
There, on the beach, all the preparations have been made for an al fresco breakfast. Burning coals. Warm bread. They gut and clean some of the fish, washing it in the waters of Galilee. It is put on the coals. Jesus, they know that it is Jesus, serves them. The Master takes the place of the servant.

The first two appearances to the group of disciples were extraordinary and supernatural. By eating fish and allowing the disciples to see and touch his wounds, Jesus demonstrated the reality of his resurrection.

In this moment on the beach, he takes that demonstration one huge step further. This time it is Jesus who gives the fish and the bread to the disciples. This is no secret meeting with his closest friends behind locked doors. Even today, a skeptic might wonder whether stories related some kind of group hallucination. This appearance is different. This is a truly public appearance on the beach in Galilee. This takes place amongst the bustle of the fishing community.

This is Jesus. This is resurrection.

End Piece
On the beach, Jesus showed them how to catch fish. When Jesus first called Peter to follow him, he told them that he would make them ‘fishers of men’ (Matthew 4:19). The Great Commission places that same responsibility on every generation of followers of Jesus.

Even apostles may fish and catch nothing. Do not be discouraged, you who, when you are endeavoring to fish for souls, for many a day catch nothing. (CH Spurgeon)

There is a message here. You may feel that you have not caught a fish for some time. Pray that Jesus will show you where you should be casting your net.

Don’t stop fishing!

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection 8: Appearance to Disciples and Thomas

Leave a comment
Appearance to Disciples and Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Resurrection encounter

12th May 2026: Weymouth
Thomas, Didymus: Disciple of Jesus

Thomas was one of the twelve disciples, sometimes known by his Roman name of Didymus (which means ‘the Twin’. We know nothing about his life prior to becoming one of those men who spent three years travelling with and learning at the feet of Jesus during his ministry in Galilee and beyond. Having started to believe that he was the Messiah, those early followers of Jesus regarded him as a strong, powerful and invincible leader. None of them understood the lesson that the Messiah must die and be raised again on the third day. 

“The Son of Man must undergo great suffering and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.” Luke 9:22

Thomas was no fool. We can’t be surprised that he and his friends believed that if Jesus died, that would be the end of his life. He was ready, if necessary, to die with Jesus. It was Thomas who said, ‘Let us go with him to Jerusalem that we might die with Him.’ John 11:16..

‘Thomas never lacked courage, but he was the natural pessimist. There can never be any doubt that he loved Jesus. He loved him enough to be willing to go to Jerusalem and die with him when the other disciples were hesitant and afraid.’ (Wm Barclay)

Yet when Jesus was arrested in the early hours of the morning, like everyone else, Thomas ran away. Like everyone else, he was  overwhelmed with guilt and shame. Like everyone else he was devastated by the death of Jesus. Like everyone else he went into hiding for fear of the Jewish leaders.

We next hear of Thomas when the disciples were in hiding on the day of resurrection, as Jesus appears to the disciples. We hear about Thomas then, not because he was there, but because he was not. At some point, possibly very soon afterwards, Thomas is told that Christ had appeared. By this time he has been seen in the garden by Mary Magdalene, he has been seen by Peter, and he has been seen by two people on the road to Emmaus. In spite of all these witness testimonies, Thomas doesn’t believe it. 

Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. (John 20:25)

Days later, the whole group were together again, locked in their safe house. This time Thomas is there. Suddenly, Jesus is there amongst them. ‘Peace be with you.’ Don’t be afraid. He turns to Thomas. No reproach. Just put your hand here. The palm of my hands. The wound in my side. “Stop doubting. Only believe.’(v27)

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (V28)

End Piece

Resurrection. It’s easy to understand Thomas’ problem. Easy to understand his doubt. In human terms it makes no sense. People don’t rise from the dead, do they? You may feel the same kind of doubt in your mind as you read the accounts of the resurrection. 

A constant theme of my teaching has been to emphasise the personal nature of our relationship with Jesus. When you read Scripture, use it as a mirror to reflect on your own life, to recognise your own gifts and shortcomings (James 1:23-24). Use it to , and to understand your own relationship with God . Don’t use it to judge other people (Matthew 7: 1-5). Our relationship with Jesus, our faith, our fears and our doubts, are intensely personal. We should not assume that Thomas’ faith had abandoned him. We should not assume that Thomas had given up on God.  We can understand his doubt.

It’s sort of surprising that the Gospel writer included this account. The fact that Thomas mistrusted the resurrection stories of his friends. It opens the door to doubt. It was ok to doubt. Jesus was supposed to be a very different kind of Messiah, but now he was dead.

I often feel doubts myself. Sometimes people around me talk about the most extraordinary experiences, and I can end up feeling as if I am missing out. There are times when I want Jesus to be something he isn’t. I want him to do the things which I want him to do. I guess I want him to be a different kind of saviour – my kind of saviour. I guess that there’s a bit of ‘doubting Thomas’ in all of us. I’m so grateful this story is here.

The fact is that, as Thomas discovered,  this Jesus is much bigger than we think. Thomas was forced to to re-evaluate his personal relationship with Jesus. To accept the fact of resurrection.

I have to do that every day.

My Lord, and my God.

Footnote
It was this Thomas who took the Christian faith to the Indian sub-continent, where we believe that  he was martyred in Chennai in 72AD. Imagine where Jesus could take you if you would only stop doubting. Only believe!

Richard Jackson, West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection 7: Behind Locked Doors

Leave a comment

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Luke 24:36-49

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20: 19-20

resurrection
Weymouth: 11th May 2024

This may be a familiar  story. Too often we read it on its own, without engaging with the wider context. It’s part of a sequence of supernatural events on that first day of resurrection.

If we follow Luke’s account, the two followers of Jesus who had met the resurrected Christ on the road to Emmaus, return to Jerusalem with their extraordinary news. They go straight to the safe house where Peter and the remaining disciples are hiding behind locked doors. They are welcomed in, and greeted with the news that Jesus has also appeared to Peter. Then, almost immediately, Christ is in the room with them.

His appearance is so sudden that they think they are seeing a ghost. ‘Peace be with you..’ Don’t be afraid…  Easily said. They’re terrified. His hands. His feet. His side. There is no doubt that it is Jesus. He eats with them. He consumes a piece of fish, not because he is hungry but to convince them of the reality of his resurrection. Then, as he had done on the road to Emmaus, he uses Scripture to show that he is the Son of God – that the Messiah must die and be raised again to life. That there is a mission to take the Gospel of repentance and the forgiveness of sins is to all nations. They are to stay in Jerusalem and await the outpouring of power from on high.

The disbelief is understandable. These men were with Jesus when he was arrested. Some of them saw him in custody at the house of Caiaphas, Some will have seen him beaten mercilessly. Several will have seen him, broken and badly injured, paraded through the streets on his way to execution. They know that he was killed. Mary had seen him buried. Yet by now, this same Mary has seen him raised. Peter has seen him. The two witnesses from Emmaus have seen him. 

Yet still the disciples struggle to believe. Who can blame them? The dead do not rise and return. Yet here is Jesus, in the room with them, eating a piece of fish. Their initial disbelief is tangible and understandable. It echoes through the generations and the centuries even to the present age.

End Piece
Taken literally, this story is explosive. It speaks of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. It speaks of the extraordinary, supernatural power of God through Christ in his resurrection. It speaks of the mind bending power of the risen Jesus. This story speaks of the anticipation of a new chapter of supernatural power from on high. It speaks of a small group of followers of Jesus who struggled to believe their own senses. In context with the wider account of Peter and the road to Emmaus, why would you not take this story literally? This story is explosive.

Of course, you may still be unimpressed. You may think it’s just a story, made up by a bunch of grieving friends. You may not believe it. After all, you weren’t there.

The Apostle Thomas wasn’t there either. Neither was the Apostle called Thomas. He didn’t believe them either. He had been one of the closest followers of Jesus. One of the twelve. He went through so much with Jesus, yet he is most commonly remembered because of this. When they told him what happened, he didn’t believe them either. 

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” John 21:25

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

 

Resurrection

Resurrection 6: Road to Emmaus

Leave a comment
The Emmaus Road

The resurrection appearance of Jesus to two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognising him.
17 He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’
19 ‘What things?’ he asked.
‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’
25 He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. 29 But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.

Luke 24:13-35

resurrection

Horsham: 5th May 2026

Setting the Scene
Appearing only in the Gospel of Luke, these verses tell of two people who knew Jesus well. One of them is called Cleopas (. It’s likely that his wife was at the cross with the mother of Jesus(John 19:25), watching him suffer and die. These two were not amongst the twelve disciples, but they were part of the larger group who were followers of Jesus. They may have been amongst the 72 who were sent out on mission by Jesus (Luke 10). They would certainly have been there when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, with the crowd welcoming him as King. They would have been there during those tense arguments with Jewish leaders in the Temple during what we call Holy Week. They would have been in hiding after the arrest of Jesus, but they would probably have seen his beaten, broken and bloody body as he was paraded through the streets, perhaps mingling in the crowd even as he was nailed to the cross. They knew where he had been buried, and they had hear the testimony of the women who said that Jesus had risen from the dead. However, the testimony of women was not regarded as reliable, and it was now evening of the third day. Neither they, or any of the men, had seen Jesus.

Like everyone in their group, they had thought that Jesus was the Messiah. That he would rid Israel of the Roman occupiers and restore the nation as the Kingdom of God. Whatever else the Messiah would do, getting arrested, beaten and killed were not part of the job description. Now, three days after his death, they were confronting the fact that they had been wrong. Jesus, it seemed, was not the Messiah after all. The last few weeks had been a rollercoaster, but things had not turned out as they hoped. They felt let down and dejected. They were going home.

What happened on the Road
These two disciples were walking from Jerusalem towards Emmaus where they were to spend the night. The distance is about seven miles and on the rough roads the journey would take several hours. The sun was low in the sky and there were other Jewish pilgrims on the road, making their way home after the Passover festival. Perhaps they were blinded by the sun, or looking down to make sure that they did to trip over, but whatever happened, they didn’t recognise the traveler who came up alongside them as they walked along. 

It was natural to chat to other pilgrims. ‘What are you talking about as you walk along?’ One of them, maybe it was Cleopas, says ‘The events in Jerusalem.’ He’s referring to the events around Jesus. ‘What events? I sense exasperation in the reply. This man is clearly a Jew. How could he ask a question like that? Why would he need to? ‘Are you the only person in Jerusalem who doesn’t know about what’s been going on!’ This traveler, of course, is the only person who knows in every detail what had been going on. The teacher lets them keep talking. ‘We thought Jesus was one who would save Israel.’ The Jewish leaders gave him over to execution. He was crucified. He was buried. Some of the women said he was risen, but none of us have seen him. 

The traveler starts to talk about Scripture. How the prophets said that the Messiah would suffer violence, even death. Yet that would not be the end. Resurrection would follow. He preaches an extraordinary sermon. Like generations of followers of Jesus, I wish I could have listened in! 

The hearts of the travelers were fired up and encouraged by the conversation, but they still didn’t recognise Jesus.

Together, they reach the place where they are to stay overnight. The pilgrim looks as if he would continue on his way, but of course Cleopas and his friend encourage him to stay with them as their guest. They are Jews. Hospitality is in their DNA.

Perhaps they are still blinded by the setting sun. Perhaps they are still heads down, trying not to fall. They still don’t recognise who this traveler is. 

At the Table
Over dinner, something unusual happens. The breaking of bread is an important art of the ritual, but is always done by the host. This pilgrim is not the host, he is the guest, yet it is him who breaks the bread. There’s something about the way in which he does this simple act, perhaps the words he uses, or the way be handles the loaf which is incredibly familiar. In that instant, two extraordinary things happen. As if a blindfold has been removed they recognise this man. It is Jesus – the Jesus who had been crucified and buried. He is alive. And than, in the same moment, he is gone from their sight.

Resurrection.

Back on the Road 
No-one travels at night. The roads are uneven and bumpy. The risk of a fall is high. There are robbers out there. But this is not news they can keep to themselves. This is serious breaking news. They must tell the other disciples without delay. Shoes back on – they rush back to Jerusalem with the news. Christ is Risen.

Resurrection

End Piece
This is a wonderful resurrection story. It’s simple. It’s graphic. There is a realism to it. RC Sproul once said that these few verses relate ‘the most glorious story of the New Testament’.

There are a some great lessons here.

When seeking Jesus, we should expect the unexpected.  The one thing they weren’t expecting to happen on that day was to meet Jesus. Were they also assuming that a resurrected Jesus would still look shockingly battered, bruised and bloodied?  The resurrected Jesus as they met him was not like that at all.

An encounter with Jesus was enough to turn someone who was in the depths of despair, into someone filled with excitement and joy.

There were risks in sharing this news. The journey back to Jerusalem mat night involved considerable risk. But the news of resurrection was, and is, urgent. The news of the resurrection was, and is, to be shared.

Breaking news. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Expect the unexpected. Pass it on!

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection Appearance 5: Peter

Leave a comment
Jesus Appears to Peter

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ 

(Luke 24:33-34)

Resurrection

Horsham: 3rd May 2026

It’s easy to be critical of Peter. He is the one who always seems ready to say or do the wrong thing. We learn so much from his mistakes. He was at the heart of the story of the death of Jesus for all the wrong reasons. It was Peter who drew his sword and attacked one of the guards who had been sent to arrest Jesus (John 18:1-11). It was Peter who denied Christ three times while Jesus was being interrogated (John 18:15-27). It was Peter who led the disciples into hiding in fear of his own life after the burial of Jesus (John 20:19). It was Peter , as leader of the remaining disciples, who was suspicious of the testimony of the women that Jesus was alive (Luke 24:11). In human terms, there would be every reason for Jesus to turn his back on Peter. That’s not what happened. Jesus doesn’t think like we do.

8 ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,’
declares the Lord.
9 ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

I wish that we knew more about this encounter. This tantalising verse in Luke’s gospel is the only mention in any of the Gospels that Jesus appeared to Peter, on his own, on the first day of his resurrection. This encounter was sufficiently well known and believed amongst the early followers of Jesus that Paul mentions it in his account of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-5), yet we know absolutely nothing more about it. What did Jesus say? Did he rebuke Peter? Did he encourage Peter? As with other moments in the resurrection story, we want to know more!

Along with his friends, Peter was devastated by the death of Jesus. For all of the disciples, the arrest, beating and crucifixion of Jesus was not any part of their concept of Messiah. Although Christ had warned that he would suffer and die, Peter never quite grasped that this was a necessary step for the Messiah.

We know that by the time of Pentecost, a few weeks after the death of Jesus, Peter came out fighting, full of confidence, and ready to fulfil the expectations of Jesus that he, Peter, would start building the Church. Whatever Jesus said to Peter during his resurrection, it changed him.

End Piece

I wonder whether you’ve experienced watching your team struggle in the first half of a game, but coming out for the second half with renewed vigour, enthusiasm and energy to win the match. The impact of a good half time talk can be extraordinary. With the right encouragement, a losing side cab be turned into a winning team.

Whatever Jesus said to Peter, it turned him round. A man who looked like he was falling short, came out filled with the Holy Spirit, bursting with confidence, overflowing with confidence. Peter went on to fulfill his purpose. To start something which continues to change the world.

18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Matthew 16:18

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection Encounter 4: The Garden

Leave a comment

The Garden

This is the first account of the resurrection of Jesus, in the garden by the tomb.

1 Early 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. 2 So 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!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally 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.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. 

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

John 20: 1-18

Horsham: 7th April 2026

In a recent post in this Resurrection Encounters series, we saw Mary Magdalene running from the tomb of Jesus back into the town, seeking the disciples who are taking refuge in fear after the arrest and death of Jesus. As with our own culture, the testimony of a single witness can present us with challenges. The story carries more weight if supported by the testimony of other witnesses.

Luke tells us that when she visited the tomb Mary Magdalene was accompanied by Joanna, Mary, mother of James and some other women (Luke 24:10). Matthew tells us that they were running in both fear and joy (Matthew 28:8-10). Mark tells us that the women were trembling and bewildered (Mark 16:8).

Unfortunately, this was a culture where the testimony of a woman carried little weight, even if her evidence is corroborated by other women. The fact that the experience of these women is even recorded is in itself extraordinary.

We can’t be surprised that Mary cannot grasp the idea of resurrection. All she knows is that she saw the body placed in the tomb, and it is no longer there. 

Resurrection encounter

Disciples at the tomb

John tells us that Mary ran to Peter, probably regarded as the leader of the group, who was in hiding with the ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’ (this phrase appears only in John’s Gospel, and is generally taken to be a reference to John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James (John 20:2). 

In John’s account, Peter and John run to the tomb,  and discover the grave clothes in which Christ had been wrapped, folded on the bench where the body would have been laid. The detail is important. The cloth which would have been used to wrap the head of Jesus is separately rolled. These grave clothes are the only thing of any value which had been buried with Jesus. Why would robbers take the body and leave them? They are utterly confounded by the empty tomb. They wander off, heading home in consternation, leaving the women weeping close to the tomb.

Mary at the Tomb 

Mary Magdalene, possibly with some of the other women, had followed Peter and John back to the tomb. Understandably in despair because of the events of the last few days, it’s again perfectly natural that Mary stays by the tomb after the men have left.

She is distraught. Inconsolable. In her brokenness she becomes aware of two angels in the tomb. ‘Woman. Why are you weeping?’ Again, her response feels like an entirely natural. ‘They have taken away my Lord and I don’t know where they have laid him.’ There is no fear in her response. In her desperation does she recognise these as angels. Does she then become aware that someone is standing close to her? 

The Gardener

The text says simply that she then turned and found a man in front of her who she did not recognise. It is a feature of the first resurrection encounters that people don’t recognise the risen Jesus. Of course, Mary isn’t expecting to see Jesus, but surely she would recognise him? The fact that she doesn’t adds weight to her story.

‘If you were making this story up now, to convince people in 50 years time that the story was true, you would surely have people recognise the person who had appeared at their side.’ CS Lewis: Miracles

The tomb is in a garden, close to Golgotha, so it is not unreasonable for her first thought to be that this is the gardener. The tomb belongs to Simon of Arimathea, a wealthy member of the Jewish community. It’s not unreasonable for her to question whether Simon had offered his tomb as a temporary resting place over the sabbath, intending to move it to a permanent resting place somewhere else.  ‘if you have carried him away, show me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’

Resurrection

At this moment in the story, I sense a pause. A silence. Mary bowed at the feet of the gardener – the gardener silent before Mary. One word breaks the silence. ‘Mary.’

Mary looks up in surprise, first because the gardener has used her name. She still kneels at the feet of the gardener as she lifts her tear stained face, perhaps expecting to find someone who works in the garden who she has met before. What she sees is breathtaking. The enormity of this moment is indescribable. Here before her is Jesus. The one she had seen crucified. The one she had seen laid in that tomb, standing before her, looking very much alive. She reaches out to touch his feet. ‘Do not touch me, because I have not yet returned to the Father.’ Every Christian teacher longs to know exactly what else was said during this encounter. Jesus sends her, Mary Magdalene, to the disciples with the message of the resurrection.

At the end of the last post we saw Mary running back to the disciples in fear.  This time, the second time she has made this journey, surely she is overwhelmed with joy.

Rational response of the Disciples

The Jewish leaders have just arranged the brutal execution of Jesus. It stands to reason that they will next look for his followers, the eleven disciples, to arrest and dispose of them. Without doubt, this band of brothers are hiding in one or more safe houses in Jerusalem. I imagine Peter, John, and perhaps the other nine, huddled together trying to work out the conundrum of the empty tomb. Their responses would almost certainly be rational. The body has been moved. The body has been stolen. Resurrection would be discounted. Such things don’t happen.

And then in bursts Mary Magdalene. ‘I have seen the Lord.’

The response of the disciples is not recorded. Mary is a woman. One woman. One very distressed, visibly emotional woman. She was part of the group, and loved by Jesus, but her testimony would not be admissible in court – it is not valid. Did they believe her? In their place, would you have believed her? 

Probably not.

‘[the words of the women] seemed an idle tale, and they did not believe them.’ (Luke 24:11)

End Piece

In the culture of first century Palestine, the testimony of a woman was regarded as being of little value. In a sense, it is perhaps surprising that the accounts of the women are even included in the Gospels. The fact that we have this record tells us that by the time they came to be written, this testimony was absolutely believed by the Gospel writers.

There is something incredibly special that the first fully recorded appearance of the risen Christ was not to the disciples. It was to women who followed Jesus.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

Resurrection

Resurrection Encounter 3: Peter at the Tomb

Leave a comment

Peter at the Tomb

Horsham: 18th April 2026

Peter’s visit to the tomb on the third day after the death of Jesus does not involve a resurrection appearance. It is, however, a really important part of the story. 

Resurrection

Peter and his friends are in hiding. Having fled from the soldiers at the time of Christ’s arrest in the early hours of Friday morning, they reasonably suspect themselves to be wanted men. Their association with Christ is likely to be sufficient reason for the Jewish leaders to hunt them down and dispose of them. Peter is in what we must assume is some kind of safe house with the Apostle John. It’s not clear how much they had witnessed themselves, but the disciples are in no doubt that Jesus was dead, and they have the witness testimony of Mary Magdalene to tell them exactly where he was buried.

Early Morning Call

When, soon after dawn on the Sunday morning, a distraught and inconsolable Mary bursts into to their hideout with the extraordinary news that the body of Jesus is missing they will be horrified. Graves were often raided, even bodies snatched, in the hope of finding something of value. Nothing of value was buried with Jesus. His body hadn’t even been properly prepared for burial. Then again, even grave clothes have a re-sale value.

Race to the Tomb

I imagine within seconds of hearing the news, Peter is out of the door, running. John takes off after him, and with youth on his side, overtakes him. Poor Mary, desperate and exhausted follows behind. John arrives first, and perhaps in deference to the older man, or perhaps in fear, waits until Peter arrives. Peter, with the impulsiveness we have seen before, runs straight into the tomb.

Inside the Tomb

Inside the tomb there would have been a kind of bench, hewn out of the rock, where the body would be laid. There is no body. Has the body been stolen? The only thing of value, the grave clothes are still there. But there’s another detail which we mustn’t miss. The head cloth is not just in the place where the head of the body would have been, it has been neatly rolled and placed in position, as though someone has carefully removed it and placed it there. The shroud is still there, at the foot of the bench, like a discarded bedsheet where the sleeper has just awoken and left the bed.

The body itself has gone, but the only thing of value, the grave clothes, are still there. What kind of grave robber would steal the naked body of a severely beaten and crucified man, leaving the funeral sheets in place. 

The only sound in this cool dark space is the sobbing and perhaps wailing of Mary, who has followed her friends and is now prostrate outside the entrance. 

In my mind, I see Peter wandering out of the tomb into the growing sunlight, and walking disconsolately with John back to their temporary home. No words are recorded. These men are already in shock after the events of the past few days. This latest news must send them into despair. The body of Jesus gone. 

End Piece

We can only have sympathy with these people. The only rational explanation is that the body has been stolen. The women are talking about angels. The women are talking about resurrection. To Peter, the women are talking nonsense.

I see Peter making his way home in quiet exhaustion. He’s a practical man. He’s wondering who on earth would have stolen the body and where they might have put it.

To those of us who are familiar with what followed, it may seem strange, even inexplicable, that the one explanation which doesn’t seem to have occurred to Peter was the obvious one. Resurrection.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

Contemplative

What has happened to America?

Leave a comment
Horsham: 18th April, 2026

It’s been quite a week. You have to ask yourself, what has happened to America.

President of America as Jesus meme

A couple of weeks ago, I noted that the President of the United States had been compared to Christ by a high profile MAGA faith advisor. He seems to have taken the comparison on board, circulating a post this week on Truth Social, showing himself as Jesus. In response to uproar amongst potential voters he withdrew the post about 24 hours later, later claiming that it depicted him not as Christ, but as a doctor.

Apparently not content with the furore caused by his latest offensive post, he then took to posting ridiculous comments about Pope Leo, including the accusation the he is ‘weak on crime’.

During the same week when the US Secretary of Defence encouraged people to pray with him during a high profile prayer meeting at the Pentagon. Claiming to be reading from ‘Cesar 25:17’ (whatever that was supposed to mean)  he then read a prayer which was essentially a quote from the Tarrantino film Pulp Fiction, which includes a sentence from Ezekiel 25:17.

All this follows the week in which Trump set out his negotiating position in his war of choice with Iran, by sending another message on Truth Social, vowing to destroy the entire Iranian civilisation.

What on earth has happened to America.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

 

Resurrection

Resurrection Encounter 2: The Women at the Tomb

Leave a comment
Horsham: 18th April 2026
Christ Is Risen

This reading draws on the resurrection accounts offered by Matthew, Mark and Luke.

‘On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. (Luke 24:1) When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”  4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. (Mark16:1-4_) 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them,(Luke 24:4-5) 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. (Matthew 28:5-8)

Resurrection

We saw in an earlier post that the first witnesses to the resurrection  may have been the guards. It seems probable that they had disappeared before any of the friends of Jesus arrived at the tomb. Scripture tells us that the first visitors on Easter morning were Mary Magdalene with one or two other women.

The narrative is poignant. A small group of women, determined to show their love and respect for their dead friend by anointing his body, make their way in the dim light of dawn to the garden where Jesus is buried. They are anxious about how they will get access to the tomb. The tomb is already open. One or more angels appear. The women fall to the ground.

‘Don’t be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘

End Piece

To us, this is a familiar story. When we read it, we forget the intensity of the moment. These women are expecting to deal with the brutally disfigured body of Jesus. The tomb is open. The tomb is empty. The women are terrified. They have no idea how this ends.

The first words of the angel are ‘do not be afraid.‘ The sight of an angel inspires fear. The next words of the angel are ‘He is not here. He is risen.’

Resurrection. Surely that is a cause for joy.  And so these women run home, their hearts overwhelmed, bursting with mixed emotions.

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex

 

Contemplative

Comparing Trump to Christ: 3rd April 2026

2 Comments
Horsham: 3rd April 2026

Today, one story did present itself for Christian comment.

Trump’s ‘spiritual advisor’, Paula White, chose to mark Holy Week 2026 by publicly comparing the President of the United States to the Son of God. A number of high profile evangelical Christian leaders were there in the room, applauding White’s comments.

Paula White Compares Trump to Jesus – YouTube

No words.

Richard Jackson: Horsham,West Sussex