I Have Seen the Lord

“I Have Seen the Lord!”

John 20:1-18

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Those who believe that simple statement; “He is risen!”- walk in the Light because Christ has overcome the darkness! It’s the greatest news the world has ever known: Christ is alive. The tomb is empty, death is defeated, and hope has a name. And nowhere do we see this more beautifully proclaimed than in our scripture for today.

It was early in the morning - still dark. The Sabbath had just ended, and Mary’s heart was heavy. She was making her way to the tomb where Jesus’ body had been placed after His crucifixion. I’m sure she was replaying the grief and horrors of Friday in her mind - the nails, the cross, the moment Jesus breathed His last. Mary was grieving, lost, and probably wondering, “What now?”

But when she arrived at the tomb... she knew immediately that wasn’t off. The stone - was rolled back. The tomb wide open. She didn’t dare go inside; she just assumed the worst. Someone had taken Him - stolen his body.

So she ran to Peter and John, frantic, and saying, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put Him!” The disciples raced back with her... looking into the empty tomb... seeing the folded grave clothes... and they started to piece it all together. John tells us he “saw and believed,” but they still didn’t fully get it. So... they headed home, leaving Mary there alone.

And that’s where the story gets personal.

Mary’s standing outside the tomb, weeping in despair. She’s not theologizing or debating resurrection theories—she’s just broken. She peers inside, and there are two angels sitting where Jesus’ body had been.

They ask her, “Woman, why are you crying?” She says, “They’ve taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where He is.” She’s so overcome by grief that she doesn’t even realize she’s speaking to angels. Then she turns around, and there’s a man standing there, whom she thinks is the gardener. He asks her the same question: “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She pleads Him, “Sir, if you’ve taken Him, tell me where He is, and I’ll get Him.”

And then - with a single word - everything changed. “Mary.” That’s it. Just her name. Immediately she knew it was Jesus! Alive. Her tears turn to joy, her despair to wonder... as she cried out, “Rabboni!”... Teacher! - and clings to Him. Jesus tells her, “Don’t hold on to Me yet; I still have to ascend to the Father. But go tell My brothers I’m alive.” And that’s exactly what she did. Mary Magdalene, the one who came to the tomb in sorrow, becomes the first to proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection: “I have seen the Lord!”

So what does this mean for us today, on this Easter Sunday in 2025?

First, Jesus meets us where we are. We have to remember: Mary was NOT looking for a risen Savior that morning—she was looking for a dead body. She was stuck in Friday’s pain, unable to imagine Sunday’s promise. Maybe some of us are like that, too. We’ve come here carrying our own grief, our own “Fridays”—a lost job, a broken relationship, a diagnosis that won’t let go. And yet, Jesus shows up. He doesn’t wait for Mary to figure it all out; He speaks to her in her tears.

Jesus is not afraid of our mess. Wherever you are today—whether you’re full of faith or full of questions—Jesus is here, calling your name.

In fact, Jesus changes everything! He transforms our story! When He called Mary’s name... it wasn’t just a greeting; it was a turning point. In that moment, her identity shifted from mourner to messenger.

Think about who Mary was—someone Jesus had delivered from seven demons, a woman with a past. The world may have written her off, but Jesus didn’t. And now, she’s the first to see Him risen, the first to tell the Good News. That’s what the Resurrection does—it takes our broken-ness and makes it beautiful. Whatever you think disqualifies you, Jesus says, “I’m not done with you yet.” He can turn your tears into testimony, just like He did for Mary.

Finally, Jesus tells Mary, “Go and tell.” She cannot keep what she has seen to herself.

The Resurrection’s not a private celebration; it’s a public declaration. The tomb is empty, and that changes everything for everyone who believes.

It means death doesn’t win. It means love is stronger than hate, light is stronger than darkness, and life is stronger than the grave. We’re not meant to hoard that hope filled assurance... we’re called by Christ himself to share it. Who in your life needs to hear, “I have seen the Lord”? Maybe it’s a neighbor, a coworker, a family member. This Easter, let’s be like Mary—messengers of the resurrection.

So here’s the invitation today: Listen for Jesus calling your name. He’s alive, and He knows you... by name—just like He knew Mary. Let Christ meet you in your doubts, your pain, your joy. Let Him transform your story. And then go tell somebody about it. Because the reality and truth of the Resurrection... means... that nothing, and I mean nothing, can stay the same.

He is risen! Amen.