John 20:1 NASB
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb.
When Mary Magdalene first went to the tomb that early Easter morning she found that the stone had been moved and so she fled to go report to Peter and to John that someone had taken the body of Jesus. Mary Magdalene has always been one of the most fascinating followers of Jesus because almost every time I see her in Scripture she’s at the feet of Jesus worshiping him. She was the first person that Jesus revealed himself to in the resurrection, and according to Mark 14 her excessive adoration of Jesus should be spoken of every time the gospel is preached, and yet she did not go to the tomb expecting to find a risen Lord, and when she saw the stone rolled away her first response was not one of celebration, but concern because someone had evidently stolen the body of Jesus and they did not know where it was.
Eight days after that first resurrection morning, Jesus appeared to the disciples as a group for the second time in the upper room and revealed himself to Thomas. After examining the wounds of Christ, Thomas believed, and then Jesus taught one of the most important lessons that any disciple of Christ can ever learn, “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” It’s easy to believe when we see evidence of God’s hand at work, but there are many times when darkness surrounds us and we can’t see, and it is in those times where we learn to grow in faith. If we only walk in faith when we can see, then we will live in fear and doubt in those times when the night seems to prevail. Believing while walking through the darkness is one of the most important things that any Christian will ever learn if they’re going to live a consistent life of victory in Christ.
I believe this is why the added detail about Mary Magdalene coming to the tomb WHILE IT WAS STILL DARK, is included in John 20:1. The greatest victory in human history was the resurrection of Christ and it happened at night; in the darkness. Just because you and I can’t see God’s hand at work, doesn’t mean that he is not at work, for even while we sleep the one who neither slumbers nor sleeps is working; accomplishing His purposes. Psalm 97:1-2 says, “The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; the let many islands be glad. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”
Even when clouds and thick darkness are surrounding Him, He reigns!! Why did Jesus choose to rise from the grave in the darkness, when nobody was around; when nobody could see? I believe that the great Discipler was trying to teach us that the greatest victories are often accomplished when all we can see is the night and darkness. During the light of the day when all the things were happening on that first Easter, the victory had already been accomplished in the darkness.” Trust Him when you can’t see, because He can, and He knows what He’s doing, and what He’s doing is bigger than you could ever imagine. In the light of day God works; but in the darkness He creates masterpieces.