Early that first Easter morning the Gospel of John tells of three people coming to the tomb. The first to appear was Mary Magdalene. Verse one states, "early on the first day of the week while it was still dark, Mary of Magdaia went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance." There are three Greek words translated "to see" in John 20. The word "blepei" used by Mary simply refers to a "cursory glance." With the stone rolled away she assumed someone stole His body from the tomb so she runs to Peter with the news, "they have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!"
Peter and John proceeded to validate her story though they remained skeptical. Since Peter was older, their footrace to the tomb got him there last. John waited at the entrance until Peter arrived. Verse 6 states, "then Simon Peter...arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the stips of linen lying there." The second Greek word "to see" is the word "theorei" from which we get the word "theory." Thus, Peter is seen, like an investigator, assessing the unusual evidences as the strips of linen just lying there like an empty cocoon and the headband carefully folded and separated from the linen. Luke 24:12 completes that story by stating "he went away, wondering to himself what had happened."
The third Greek word "to see" is "eiden," which gives the idea "I see it! I see it!" Verse 8 concludes, "finally the other disciple (John), who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed."
How one "sees" the resurrection of Jesus Christ determines one's eternal destiny. We can celebrate this Easter with a casual glance (blepei) at the resurrection and even deeply ponder its reality (theorei), but until, like John, you (eiden) "see and believe" it will have no life changing effect.
HOW DO YOU "SEE" THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS?
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