Jacob Chanikuzhy

In the Gospel of John we read that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of Jesus while it was still dark. Darkness can also refer to the darkness in her life. She was engulfed by the darkness of sorrow and despair. She might have felt that the new life which she had started is at the verge of an abrupt end. If the one who encouraged and empowered her to a new life is not around anymore, where can she find strength to pull on?
But she did not give up. She went out to the tomb of Jesus where she thought the last vestiges of her master remained. To her mind the tomb of Jesus was a fountain that would feed her with the fond memories about her master. What do we do when caught up in the midst of the darkness of various negatives? Mary Magdalene is a model in that in the darkest night of her life she ventured to go to the tomb of Jesus. A journey to the tomb is a journey to the old memories; it is to remember the past when we experienced the loving and caring presence of Jesus in our life.

At the tomb Mary found something unexpected – the tomb stone was removed! Immediately the worst fears rose in her mind – the body of Jesus must have been stolen by the tomb robbers. Her first impression about the tomb was very disappointing and even horrifying. Death and tomb still evoke fear in many who have but a peripheral view of the tomb. What Mary interpreted as the wicked act of the ill-meaning robbers was actually the redemptive work of God! How often do we negatively interpret different incidents in our life !

The death of Jesus had already thrown her into the abyss of sorrow; now the thought of possible maltreatment of His dead body must have filled her with horror and despair. It was enough to put an end to one’s bravery and adventure; love and loyalty. But not so with Mary Magdalene. She did not go home in utter despair. Rather, with all her fear, doubt and sorrow about the perceived absence of the body of Jesus she went to the community of the apostles and shared her fear with them. With Peter and the beloved disciple she revisited the site of her fear and anguish. Then, the place of fear became the place of personal encounter with Jesus.

After Mary Magdalene, the one who approached the tomb was the beloved disciple. Whereas Mary just had a glaze, the beloved disciple looked intently into the tomb and noticed what was therein. Peter was the third one to find the tomb and he did not stop by looking at the tomb from outside. He boldly went inside and found the linen cloths and the head cover. Peter’s bold action emboldened the beloved disciple to enter the tomb and His contemplative look on the cloths led Him to an altogether different interpretation of the empty tomb. What caused fear and despair in Mary Magdalene caused faith and joy in the beloved disciple!

The first community around the tomb is a cross-section of our church. Many are like Mary Magdalene – full of love for Jesus, gratefully trying to lead a new life, never tired of seeking Him in the nights of their sorrows. But, many a time they are also led by the first impressions or imperfect perspectives, easily devastated by the perceived negatives happening around them. In spite of all these, they still look to the believing community for comfort and reassurance. They enjoy a personal experience of Jesus in their life (Jn 20:11f.). In fact, it is this group that preaches the Easter message to all generations (Jn 20:18). Another group is like Peter. He was slow to reach the tomb. But once reached he acted boldly. He entered the tomb, that means, he was courageous enough to face the reality however uncomfortable and embarrassing it was. There was no attempt to avoid the issues. There was no attempt to cover up the truth of the absence of Jesus’ body in the tomb. He was honest and sincere to the core. It is the courage of Peter that emboldened John to enter the tomb. He reflected about what he found in the tomb. His analysis of the reality – the empty tomb, the linen clothes, the neatly folded face cloth – led him to the glorious revelation – Jesus lives. Easter issues also an invitation to be faithful, heroic and reflective in the journey of discipleship.