The First Day, Jesus Rose

By Paul Meldrum

The First Day, Jesus Rose

A John 20:1–18 Devotional on Hope and the Empty Tomb

In this John 20:1–18 devotional, we reflect on the First Day, when Jesus rose, the hope of the empty tomb, and the personal love of the risen Savior.

(This devotional is excerpted from Praying the Gospels: Book of John, our brand-new resource in Scripture-fed, Spirit-led, worship-based prayer. Like its predecessor, Praying the Psalms, this book will introduce you to—or strengthen—an approach to prayer that is biblical and life-giving. Each section of the book will include a helpful summary along with a biblical guide for prayer. Praying the Gospels: Book of John will release late spring 2026.)

John 20:1-18 – Begin by reading the passage in its entirety.

We have reached the pinnacle of human existence. It is the First Day and JESUS IS RISEN!

All of creation has been holding its breath, awaiting the redemption of mankind. It waits for the power of God to push back the curse of sin that was inaugurated in the Garden of Eden. Angelic beings long to know the plan: How will You save, Lord Jesus? When will the fullness of time come—when Lucifer, that evil Satan, will be defeated and shown once and for all that he could never hold a candle to Your limitless light? Humanity needs relief from its unholy lostness and must have a path to God’s perfect holiness. Show us, Jesus—You who are the only plan for the purification of humanity.

How many times have you read the resurrection story and felt your heart stirred by the love of our suffering Savior, Jesus? Your spirit rises and falls at the humility, the sacrifice, the victory over Satan, and the conquering of sin and death. Oh, praise the name of Jesus for the First Day.

The First Day of the week has come, and faithful Mary has come as well—to anoint, to mourn, to remember. However, none of the reasons Mary has come to Jesus’ resting place will be fulfilled, for the stone has been moved. In the Gospel of Luke (24:1–4), we are told that Mary and others went to the tomb. The Gospel of John adds another detail: after seeing the moved stone, Mary immediately ran to tell Simon Peter.

The ruckus begins! Peter and John run to the tomb, and don’t you wonder what they were thinking as they approached? John arrives first. He looks inside but waits outside. Peter sprints past John and into the tomb, not considering his defilement in being among the dead. John then joins him, and they are mystified by the absence of Jesus’ body and the neatly folded head linen He had worn. How did this happen? Who would do this? WHERE IS JESUS?

What happens next is striking: “He (John) saw and believed; yet they did not understand what had happened to Jesus, and they went home.” What? They did not remember Jesus’ own words telling them precisely what would happen and in what order? They went home—and all the while, Mary wept. The First Day appeared to be a bad day, but Jesus, full of surprises, would reveal it to be the BEST day.

Then Mary looks and sees two angels. She is so deeply grieved, the angels do not encounter a typical reaction to their appearance, nor do they say, “Do not fear!” They simply ask her, “Why are you weeping?” As I write this, I wonder if the angels had slight smiles on their faces, knowing who was about to speak to Mary. Even now, as I reflect on this, I laugh—and tear up. Jesus is about to be wonderfully revealed (sorry for the spoiler).

Mary turns and sees the one she assumes is a gardener. Jesus says, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Mary asks if he knows where Jesus is so she can go and carry Him away. What a heart of strength, love, and devotion! She somehow believes she will be able to lift Jesus’ dead body and carry Him to a special place. This is deep and devoted love.

Jesus says her name—“Mary”—and she knows! A beautiful exchange follows. We are told she clings to Him, as if never wanting to let Him go again. Yet when Jesus gives her instructions to go and tell the disciples, she faithfully and lovingly obeys.

You would think Jesus had much to do on the First Day. Yet, so committed is He to personal relationship that He joins two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They are downcast, even a bit grumpy. It is almost ironic—they know the prophecy of His resurrection and the events of the morning, yet as they speak to Jesus (not realizing who He is), they sound discouraged, sad, and confused.

Isn’t it interesting? Jesus could have said, “Ta-da! It’s Me!” Instead, what He says is not only for that moment but for the millennia: “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” Luke continues: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”

Jesus taught them—and us—that we can know Him personally through His Word, and that is enough.

You know the rest of the story: Jesus reveals Himself, disappears, and they say, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” Meanwhile, the two disciples return the seven or so miles to Jerusalem to tell the others. And as they are speaking, Jesus appears to them all. What a personal and pursuing Savior we have.

What a personal and pursuing Savior we have.

All of this happens on The First Day—and likely much more than we know. So much was accomplished on that day: the full provision of salvation in Christ.

On The First Day – It’s a day when we wonder where Jesus is. Keep believing His Word, even when you only see a small bit of evidence.
On The First Day – Jesus knows our name and has instructions for us to faithfully & lovingly obey.
On The First Day – We may forget the promises of God. Return to and open the Scriptures and run to the company of fellow believers.
On The First Day – Jesus’ promises fulfilled assure us of our eternal home with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The First Day, WOW—WHAT A DAY!!!

Keep believing His Word, even when you only see a small bit of evidence.

PRAYER GUIDE (John 20:1-18)

Reverence – Identify and celebrate God’s praiseworthy attributes.

He is the fulfillment of the Scriptures. – v. 9
The empty tomb proves Jesus conquered sin, death, and Satan. – vv. 1-18
The Lord is tender and compassionate. – vv. 16-17

Prayer Prompts

Jesus, You fulfill promises. Help me to trust Your word when … (vv. 1, 9, 16)
Thank You, Jesus, for showing me compassion when … (v. 16)
Praise You, Lord, for loving me through … when I struggled to believe. (vv. 9-10)

Response – Surrender to Him and His ways.

Forgive me, Lord, when I doubted that You could … (vv. 9-10)
I confess that in my ignorance I was downcast over … instead of keeping my eyes fixed on You. (vv. 10-18)
Lord, give me courage to … like You gave Mary and the other women. (vv. 1-2, 11-16)

Requests – Ask the Spirit to guide prayer over concerns, resources, and relationships.

Father, show (name) the courage they need in order to … (vv. 1, 16)
I pray for faith at my church to address (issue) for Your glory. (v. 8)
Jesus, bring (name) face to face with the truth of Your resurrection. (vv. 1, 11-17)

Readiness – Encouragement and strength for spiritual battle.

Prepare our church for … as we seek to honor You even through tears. (v. 11)
Help me obey You, Lord, as I take Your Word to … (v. 18)
Thank You that because I have seen and know You as Lord, I can … (v. 18)

Memorize and meditate on verse 18.