The Resurrection of Jesus&

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene(John 20: 1-18)

 

Why Resurrection Narratives in John?The Resurrection appearances form the part of book of glory (Jn13:1-20:31)in the gospel of John. But unlike synoptic, in the gospel of John, it is not the resurrection but the death of Jesus on the cross itself is a sign of glory. Some scholars like Bultmann conclude that gospel of John ends with Ch 19. Sandra Schneiders questions why then are the episodes on resurrection are added at all in John’s gospel?

Sandra and others opine that the search or the faith dimension is part and parcel of the gospel of John. Thus the resurrection narratives set to promote and continue the faith dimension of the community. It is also to promote universal saviour and inclusive leadership within the community, coming from the risen Lord.

Literary Context and backgroundSabbath was over and the next day, which is also the first day of the week. It is still the early morning and is dark (in contrast to synoptic – where mention it as dawn). These would hint at a fresh new beginning, which sets the tone for the following passage of faith and hope.

Background: This passage is part of the book of glory. John places post resurrection apparitions out of Galilee and in Jerusalem. Out of the four such appearances, two are at the tomb (for John tomb is not a mere symbol of death but a fertile land where life sprouts). And presence of Mary adds new dimension to the understanding of discipleship.

Mary Magdelene

Mary Magdalene was popularly known as a sinner or a prostitute. But the modern biblical scholars see that as a wrong interpretation of the gospel. As Jn 20, 11-18 say that Mary was from Galilee, from the town of Magdala. She journeyed with Jesus to Jerusalem and was one of the few present during his death on the cross.

Some special features of the Jn 20:1-18

John keeps Mary Magdelene on power with disciples. Infact it is Mary Magdalene is the first person who received the Risen Lord first and proclaimed the good news. Thus she is projected by John as a first disciple.Mary turns twice- from the tomb and toward the risen Jesus. In the Jewish understanding turning has turning from and turning towards God are a symbol of repentance.

Discipleship and Faith JourneyThrough Mary Magdelene John presents a gradual journey of a disciple from - No Faith – Partial faith to True Faith. Mary’s vision is complete only when she recognizes Risen Jesus as the Lord and Master.We also find the parallel faith journey of disciples in the same manner, moving from partial No faith to partial faith and then to full faith. Encounter – New identity and the New Mission are essential part of Jesus’ discipleship. Beloved disciple believed even without seeing and this is indeed a faith model. Jn 1,39, in the context of discipleship Jesus invites to – Come and See and 20,8 and 11-18 where beloved disciple and Mary Magdelene See and Believe. Thus we can call in the Johanine understanding – to come and to see and to believe is integral part of faith journey.

Community There are a few inconsistencies that we see in the passage and one of them could be seen in the V 1 and V2. V1- shows of Mary Magdelene at the tomb and immediately in V 2- we find the mention of WE. Though there are various interpretations about the incident, it is said that John has added the community as a witness to the resurrection of Jesus. For John, community plays a vital role in discipleship and following.

Structure In the given passage we find a Chiastic and Concentric structure.

A(20:1-3)

B(20:4-5)

C(20:6-7)

B(20:8)

A(20:9-10)

They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don't know where they put him. (20:2)"   

The other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; (20:4)  

He went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there (20:6)

the one who had arrived at the tomb first (20:8)   

For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead.(20:9)   

The Resurrection of Jesus (20:1-10)

NB: A: Lack of understandings. B: Arriving at the tomb first. C: Clothes

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene (20:11-18)

A(20:11-

12)

B(20:13a

)

C(20:13b

) (20:16-

18)

A(20:14)

B(20:15a

)

C(20:15b

)

saw two angels (20:12)

Woman, why are you weeping? (20:13)

where they laid him (20:13)

I have seen the Lord (20:18)

saw Jesus (20:14)   

Woman, why are you weeping? (20:15)  

where you laid him (20:15) 

NB:   A: Seeing. B: Why are you weeping. C: Where they laid him.

Jesus' tomb is an outward and visible sign that Jesus has conquered death and a new creation has begun. There is a movement from grief to joy as Mary recognizes the risen Lord. At the beginning of the gospel John took us to the episode of creation, sighting “In the beginning....” which remind us of the first creation when the earth was a formless void (Genesis 1:2). “Early on the first day” mentioned in Jn 20, 1 tries to convey the message that the new creation is at hand. It is good to mention at this point, Paul’s declaration that in the death and resurrection of Jesus we are experiencing a new creation, “everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Meaning:

It was when Jesus called her by name that Mary recognized the risen Lord. Calling by name asserts the new identity in the risen Lord.

Jesus' at the beginning of his ministry asked the disciples of John the Baptist, “What are you looking for?”(John 1:38) And after resurrection, at the new creation, Jesus asks Mary “Whom are you looking for?” (John 20:15) and this gives us the indication of the beginning of a New Mission. Thus new identity is for a new mission.

The unnamed disciple, "the one whom Jesus loved", found at the tomb with Peter, has been a question for contention. There are scholars who say that this disciple represents John himself.

Though the beloved disciple reaches the tomb first, he allows Peter to enter the tomb first. This is an indirect sign (not as obvious as in Jn 21, 15-19) of Peter as leader of the flock, even to Johanine community after the death of John.

And unlike the four-day dead Lazarus, who stumbled out of his tomb hindered by his burial wrappings (John 11:44), the cloths are still in the tomb. The description about the placement of the wrappings, and other clothes in the tomb, present a sharp contrast between Lazarus rising ( Resuscitation) and Jesus’ resurrection.

As the Indian Shloka goes – asathoma Sadgamaya, Thamasoma Jyotirgamaya, Mruthyorma amrutam gamaya – Faith is a journey from untruth to truth, from darkness to light and from death to life. Here we find a similarity between the Indian and Christian tradition.

We today, are bound by too many dogmas and institutionalized models of faith assertions. We need is to move beyond dogmas to an intimate relation with the Lord.

What is the Significance for us Today?

Jesus asking Mary Magdeline, not to cling on to him highlights the universal aspect of Jesus relevance. He is no more a possession of mere Christians but of all humanity.

“Go to my brothers and say to them…” ( Jn 20, 17b) is seen more as an inclusive gesture, for the Greek word for Brothers means –men and women disciples. This indicates puts women in power with men.

A true believer needs to have a longing to meet the Lord, in the hard core realities of everyday life and find Resurrected Jesus in our own Community

Empty tomb also symbolizes the darkness in the soul. Mother Teresa, who had little light in her inner life, but she continued to move out in loving service of humanity. Thus we are not called to remain at the empty tomb, but to move ahead in service to meet the Lord today in the market place. There is no better way of proclamation than service.

Feminist PerspectiveLike Mary, it’s the need of the hour that we promote, women Leadership in the church today.

As Pope Francis says, it’s time to listen to the prophetic voice of to women. There is no theological problem, in having them as leaders.

Thank You