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 two stories from the resurrection tradition - This gospel
lesson can be read in conversation with 1 Corinthians 15:45: "he was raised . . . and
he appeared." What Paul teaches as the paradosis or tradition that early Christian
interpreters handed on, is given narrative form in John 20 with two intriguing
resurrection stories. These narratives provide us with different angles on what it means
to meet the risen Christ.
structure - Notice the sandwiching style that the Fourth Evangelist
uses in telling these two stories: he begins the first story (20:1-2), then inserts the
second story into the narrative (20:3-10) before returning to carry the first story to
it’s conclusion (20:11-18). The glue that holds the two narratives together is the
report of the empty tomb-that is the question the reader should be asking: where is Jesus?
race to the tomb - interpreters are fascinated by this detail-foot
race to the tomb. Does Peter’s second place suggest that the other disciple was
younger than he? Was Peter meant to represent Jewish Christianity while the other disciple
represented Gentile Christianity? Are we seeing a competition between Petrine and
Johannine Christianity? [1]
 Name the chain of events that helped to meet the risen Christ?
With which character do you most identify? Peter? The other disciple? Mary Magdalene?
What fresh possibilities has Jesus’ death on the cross, its revelation of
God’s love, his resurrection and ascension opened for you?
 For a
homily on this passage, please refer to this week’s homily on DPS, entitled,
"Why Are You Weeping?"
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[1] The Interpreter’s Bible IX
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