The Gospel of John records the events of Jesus’s crucifixion and resurrection. This was the moment the world changed. This not merely history, but a living story you can participate in today. Have you said, “It is finished”?

John 19:16-22 Crucifixion was a routine though grisly part of living under Roman domination. When they crucified Jesus, they put a sign up that identified him as the king of the Jews. It was meant to be ironic.

John 19:26-27 A small crowd gathered around the crosses of Jesus and the others crucified with him. Among them was his mother, his aunt, and three of his followers. Although he was in agony, he had the presence of mind to look after his mother.

John 19:28-30 Jesus’s words, “It is finished,” have multiple meanings. At the surface level, we understand that Jesus’s suffering was complete. His life was over. At a deeper level, we know that Jesus’s death was part of God’s plan that would bring salvation to the world.

John 19:40-42 Joseph and Nicodemus took Jesus down from the cross and prepared his body for burial. They laid him in a new tomb because there was no time to sort out other arrangements. The Sabbath was about to begin, and they needed to finish up for now.

John 20:1-2 Days later, Mary Magdalene came. To her surprise and disappointment, the stone was gone from the tomb, and the body of Jesus had gone missing.

John 20:3-10 Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb and confirmed Mary’s discovery. Then they went home leaving Mary there distraught and weeping.

John 20:11-16 Mary asked the gardener for help. Then the unthinkable happened. He said to her, “Mary,” and when we she turned to look at him, she saw that he was Jesus—alive!

John 20:17-18 “Do not touch me” is also translated “Stop clinging to me.” She had grabbed a hold of him. Can you blame her? His resurrection was the moment the world changed.