The Gospel Of John Chapter 20 Pt. 2

A grief stricken Mary returned to an empty tomb.

John 20:11-13  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12)  And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13)  And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 

Mary Magdalene came again to the tomb. She was overcome with deep grief and pain thinking that her Lord's body had been stolen or removed. 

She had wanted to anoint Jesus' body with the traditional spices and ointments, to honor Him in death. 

Her heart was broken and her vision was obscured by tears continuously flowing from her eyes. 

Mary had not remembered the words spoken by Jesus that He would die, be buried and rise again.

She came to the tomb and looked in again. 

This time, Mary saw two angels of God robed in purest white garments.  

One angel was sitting, where the head Jesus was laid, and the other angel where the feet of Jesus had been laid. 

Two angels of God spoke to Mary. 

John 20:13-14  And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14)  And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 

The angels spoke to Mary. They asked why she was weeping. She replied that someone moved the body of Jesus and she did not know where He had been moved. 

Now, we begin to read about the post resurrection appearances of Jesus. She turned away, still overcome by the pain of grief and sorrow, thinking her Lord was dead. 

Jesus was standing there when Mary turned around, but she did not recognize her risen Lord. This is much like the two men that Jesus walked with on the road to Emmaus (See Luke 24). 

The resurrected Lord Jesus Christ spoke to Mary.

John 20:15  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. 

Jesus asked Mary the same question. "Why are you weeping and whom do you seek?"

Mary thought that Jesus was a gardener in charge of maintaining the cemetery. She asked to be taken to Jesus' body so that she might properly prepare it for burial. 

Mary's sorrow quickly turned to joy.

John 20:16  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 

What a ray of joyous sunshine must have entered the heart of Mary. Through her bitter tears, she heard the voice of her Savior, speaking to her. 

Jesus called her name and Mary turned around, immediately knowing the voice of God's Son, Jesus Christ. Tears of bitter sorrow quickly turned to tears of great joy.

Mark 16:9   Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.  

Mark's gospel tells us that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene first, before any other disciples. She loved her Lord because He cast 7 demons out of her, and made her whole. 

If Jesus had not risen, then none of us would have any hope. But here was Jesus fully alive, full of life and power and glory from the Father.

Mary rightly called out to Jesus as Master, for she sat at His feet, and learned from Him during His ministry. 

Jesus mastered our debt of sin. Jesus mastered death, conquered the grave and Satan. He is our living Master, upon whom we fully depend to save us to the uttermost (See Hebrews 7:25). 

Jesus gave Mary a task to do. 

John 20:17-18  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. 18)  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. 

Jesus told Mary to touch Him not at this time. The idea is that Jesus knew He would tarry on earth for 40 days, before ascending to His Father. 

Mary would have many more opportunities to worship her risen Lord. 

Instead, Jesus gave her a task to do. She was to go and tell the other disciples about His resurrection and His ultimate return to the Father. 

Mary did as Jesus commanded. At this time, her grief was gone, replaced by wonder, amazement and joy. 

Mark 16:10-11  And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11)  And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. 

Mark's gospel gives us a glimpse into how the other disciples were faring at this time. When Mary arrived, they were weeping and mourning for the Lord Jesus Christ. 

When she told them the glad tidings that Jesus was alive, but they did not believe her report. 

Luke adds that the disciples thought Mary's report was like a nonsensical story that could not possibly be true. Thus, they did not believe (Luke 24;11).

The doctrinal importance of Christ's resurrection. 

1 Corinthians 15:12-20  Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  13)  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14)  And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15)  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the rise not. 16)  For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17)  And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18)  Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19)  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20)  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead as the scripture testifies, is essential to salvation. 

The apostle Paul highlights the importance of the resurrection to each Christian. 

• If there is no resurrection, then Jesus is still in the grave.

• If there is no resurrection, then preaching the gospel is a vain activity and all who preach His resurrection are liars.

• If there is no resurrection, then all who put their faith in Christ are still in their sins.

• If there is no resurrection, then all the dead in Christ are hopelessly lost. 

Praise God that Jesus did rise from the dead, as the Bible tells us. Jesus was seen by hundreds of people over a forty day period after His resurrection (See 1 Corinthians 15:1-9). 

It is a well attested historical event, upon which all of history turns. Jesus Christ's resurrection is also the object of Satan's relentless attack.

Paul's defense and doctrinal explanation of Christ's resurrection, is contained in 1 Corinthians 15. 

All 4 gospels contain firsthand, eyewitness accounts of Christ's resurrection.

Both pagan and Jewish writers record that the Christians believed that Jesus was risen from the dead.

Those who were martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ, could have and would have recanted their faith in His resurrection, if it were not true. 

But, they could not lie about what they knew was a factual, true, historical event. Jesus rose from the grave just as He said He would. 

 

Jesus is declared to be the Son of God by His resurrection.

Romans 1:1-4  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2)  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3)  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4)  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and brings eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:20-23  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21)  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22)  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23)  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 

We have living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4)  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5)  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

Paul tells us that Jesus did rise from the dead, and the language he used was very emphatic. Adam's sin caused all men to die, but Christ's perfection and resurrection, brings eternal life to all who will believe. 

King David spoke prophetically of Christ's resurrection. 

Acts 2:29-32  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30)  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31)  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32)  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 

There are 11 times in scripture, where Jesus appeared to people, proving that He was resurrected. 

These appearances were to men and women, individuals, couples, groups, and at least one large crowd. 

The appearances were both inside and outside, in different locations, and at different times of the day. 

Jesus was physically touched, audibly heard, and visually seen. He ate food in the presence of witnesses. 

Thoughts to Ponder....

Belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is essential for salvation.

The Bible records many different reactions to the resurrection of Christ. 

Some mocked, some ridiculed, some refused to hear it, some rebelled against it, but none could change the fact that Jesus rose from the dead!

Some forbid the apostles and other Christians from preaching the gospel. 

They forbid them from telling others about Christ's resurrection, but they could not stop eyewitnesses from telling the truth.

Notice that knowing the reality of Jesus Christ's resurrection changed the disciple's lives. The impact of Jesus's resurrection must also change our lives. Because He lives, we will live eternally!

Also notice that Jesus gave Mary a task to do right always. She was to go tell other disciples about His resurrection. 

We too, have been given an urgent task. Our task is to do the work of the Great Commission to teach all nations to obey Jesus commandments (Matthew 28:18-20).

May these simple truths encourage each one of us today. May we be faithful witnesses of Christ, telling others about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Bob