QT 28/01/2026 Wed. John 20 From Empty Tomb to Living Faith 从空坟墓到活出的信仰
QT 28/01/2026 Wed. John 20 From Empty Tomb to Living Faith
READ http://www.esv.org/john20
John 20 takes us on a journey—from confusion and grief to faith, joy, and mission. It shows us how the risen Christ meets people at different points in their believing, and how true life is found in trusting Him.
(1) Glorious Portrayal of Old Testament Theology (learnings about God).
Mary Magdalene stands weeping at the tomb and sees “two angels in white”, seated where Jesus’ body had been—one at the head and one at the feet (v.12). This pointed to deep theology in the Old Testament: God commanded Moses to make the Ark of the Covenant, and on its mercy seat place two cherubim of gold. Now we see in John 20 again two heavenly figures to portray Jesus as the sacrificial lamb prophesied in the OT (Exodus 25:18–20). These cherubim were not decoration. They proclaimed theology.
We observe that the place of death has become a place of divine testimony. Heaven itself bears witness: Jesus is no longer among the dead. God has acted, even when Mary’s heart is still heavy with sorrow.
(2) Sometime, quiet evidence speaks louder than boastful words
Later, John tells us that when the other disciple entered the tomb, “he saw and believed” (v.8). No angelic message is recorded, no voice from heaven—just the empty tomb and the quiet evidence of resurrection. Faith sometimes comes suddenly, born from seeing what God has done and trusting His word.
Yet not all belief comes easily. Thomas openly admits his doubt (and impliedly boasts about how “evidence-based” his thought process was): “Unless I see… I will never believe” (v.25). Jesus does not reject him. Instead, the risen Lord graciously appears and invites Thomas to see and touch.
But Jesus gently points him—and us—to a greater blessing: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v.29). This is the blessing given to every believer who trusts Christ through the testimony of Scripture.
(3) Jesus, through His gospel, brings life
In Genesis 2:7, the LORD “formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life”. In a similar fashion before sending His disciples out, Jesus breathes on them and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (v.22).
The resurrection is not only something to be believed—it is life to be received. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in His people, equipping them to live and witness in His name.
John ends the chapter by revealing his purpose: “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (vv.30–31). Faith is not blind optimism; it is a response to God’s revealed truth. And belief is not merely intellectual—it leads to life.
Reflection:
Where are you in John 20 today? Are you weeping like Mary, searching for hope? Standing at the tomb like John, ready to believe? Wrestling with doubts like Thomas? The risen Jesus meets each person where they are and calls them forward into faith.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for sending Jesus, who conquered the grave. Help me to trust You even when I cannot see clearly your deeds. Breathe new life into my faith by Your Spirit, that I may believe, follow You, and live in Your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 28/01/2026 星期三. 约翰福音20 从空坟墓到活出的信仰
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/jhn/20/
约翰福音20章引领我们踏上一段旅程——从困惑悲伤走向信心、喜乐与使命。它向我们展现复活的基督如何在人们信仰的不同阶段与他们相遇，以及如何在信靠祂中寻得真生命。
(1) 旧约神学的荣耀呈现（关于神的启示）
抹大拉的马利亚哭泣着站在坟墓前，看见 “看见两个身穿白衣的天使” 坐在耶稣安放身体之处——一个在头，一个在脚（12节）。这指向旧约深邃的神学：上帝曾命摩西制作约柜，并在施恩座上安置两座金基路伯。如今我们在约翰福音20章再次看见两位天界形象，预表耶稣正是旧约所预言的羔羊（出埃及记25:18-20）。这些基路伯并非装饰，而是宣告神学真理。
我们注意到死亡之地已化作神圣见证的所在。天国本身正在作证：耶稣已不在亡者之中。即便马利亚心中仍沉浸在悲痛中，神已采取行动。
(2) 有时，静默的证据比夸耀的言语更有力
后来，约翰告诉我们，当另一位门徒进入坟墓时，“他看见，就信了”（第8节）。经文未记载天使的启示，也无天上的声音——唯有空坟墓与复活的静默印证。信心有时骤然降临，源于目睹神的作为并信靠祂的应许。
然而并非所有信仰都来得容易。多马坦率承认自己的怀疑（并暗自夸耀自己思维过程多么“基于证据”）：“除非我亲眼看见 … 我决不相信”（第25节）。耶稣并未拒绝他。相反，复活的主恩慈显现，邀请多马亲眼看见、亲手触摸。
但耶稣温柔地将他——以及我们——引向更丰盛的祝福：“那些没有看见就信的人，是有福的 (第29节）。这是赐给每位凭圣经见证信靠基督之信徒的恩典。
(3) 耶稣藉着福音带来生命
创世记2:7记载，耶和华“用地上尘土造人，将生气吹在他鼻孔里”。同样，耶稣差遣门徒前，也向他们吹气说：“你们受圣灵吧”（22节）。
复活不仅是需要相信的事——更是需要领受的生命。那使耶稣从死里复活的大能，如今也住在祂的子民里面，使他们得以活出见证，奉祂的名行事。
约翰在章末揭示其写作宗旨：“但把这些事记下来，是要你们信耶稣是基督，是 神的儿子，并且使你们信了，可以因他的名得生命”（30-31节）。信心并非盲目乐观，乃是对神启示真理的回应；而信仰不仅止于认知，更引领人进入生命。
反思：
今日的你身处《约翰福音》第20章的哪个场景？是如抹大拉的马利亚般泪流不止，追寻希望？如约翰般伫立坟前，准备信靠？抑或如多马般与疑虑搏斗？复活的耶稣在每个人所在之处相遇，呼召他们迈向信心的旅程。
祷告：
亲爱的天父，感谢祢差遣战胜死亡的耶稣。求祢帮助我在看不清祢作为时仍信靠祢。求祢的圣灵将新生命吹入我的信心，使我能信靠祢、跟随祢，并活在祢的名里。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。
