JESUS Lives for Us - John 20:1-18 - April 8, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – JESUS Lives for Us – April 8, 2007

HE HAS RISEN!!!! This says it all!!!!

Our focus and background scripture is John 20:1-18.

The very heart of Christianity is the fact that JESUS died and GOD raised HIM from the dead.

Acts 23:26:
23 "that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."

Acts 2:32:
32 "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.

GOD, THE FATHER raised JESUS from the dead as proof that HE was and is the sinless LAMB of GOD that paid the price for our sin and conquered death. The two (2) enemies no human by their best efforts could or best intellect could ever conquer.

JESUS is the first fruit from the dead as proof that HE paid the price to redeem all who accept HIM as SAVIOR. HE defeated death and has authority over death. As such HE and HE alone has the authority to give the free gift of eternal life to all who believe in HIM through the miracle of rebirth. There is no better time than this Easter to ask JESUS to forgive you of your sins and to ask HIM to come into your life right now.

Let’s read John 20:1-18: (With comments along the way.)

1 On the first day of the week • Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed[1] Lit She saw the stone removed from the tomb.

Mary Magdalene is the Mary that JESUS cast out seven (7) demons. Most often those for whom CHRIST has done the most appreciate HIM the most. No matter how far a person thinks they have fallen, GOD’S arm is always long enough to reach them and pull them up out of the hole they are in. All we have to do is ask.

JESUS had delivered Mary from the bondage of demons in her life. She was most grateful to JESUS and to show her deep appreciation, she left early in the morning to go to the tomb of JESUS to complete the embalming process. She had not considered the resurrection of JESUS.

Other women had also left home in the early hours of the morning as well. They had bought spices the day before after sundown to put on JESUS’ body. The women knew that a stone had been placed over the entrance to the tomb and it could be that Mary was to figure out how it could be moved based upon John’s account of the event.

Let’s look at other scriptures revealing the same event to get a complete picture of the events:

Matthew 28:1-10:

1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, • Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached [the tomb]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. . He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his robe was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken from fear of him that they became like dead men. 5 But the angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead. In fact, He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” 8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell His disciples the news. 9 Just then[1] Other mss add as they were on their way to tell the news to His disciples Jesus met them and said, “Good morning!” They came up, took hold of His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see Me there.”

Here we see that two (2) Mary’s go to the tomb and learn that an angel rolled away the stone and that both Mary’s see JESUS.

We must keep in mind that each gospel writer emphasized certain key points. The fact that the gospel accounts differ give credibility to the story. Just as if we saw an exciting event each of us would highlight certain aspects of the event so did the gospel writers.

Let’s read Mark 16:1-13:

1 When the Sabbath was over, • Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they could go and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. 3 They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us?” 4 Looking up, they observed that the stone—which was very large—had been rolled away. 5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man[1] In Mt 28:2, the young man = an angel dressed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; they were amazed and alarmed.[2] Amazed and alarmed translate the idea of one Gk word. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus the • Nazarene, who was crucified. He has been resurrected! He is not here! See the place where they put Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.’ ” 8 So they went out and started running from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.

Notice that the angel mentions Peter by name. Peter had denied JESUS three (3) times. He wept bitterly over what he had done. JESUS wanted Peter to know that he was forgiven and he is invited to meet with HIM. What a SAVIOR!!! All JESUS asks of us is to repent. No matter what we have done. HE forgives and restores.
Mark continues:
Appearances of the Risen Lord
[ 9 Early on the first day of the week, after He had risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons. 10 She went and reported to those who had been with Him, as they were mourning and weeping. 11 Yet, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it. 12 Then after this, He appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country. 13 And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either.

This is Mark’s version of these events. Mark wrote the first gospel. The disciples had a hard time believing that JESUS had been resurrected.

Let’s read Luke 24:1-12:

1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they[1] Other mss add and other women with them came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.[2] Lit and inclined their faces to the ground “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The • Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered His words. 9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 • Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths.[3] Other mss add lying there So he went home, amazed at what had happened.

This is Luke’s version of the event.

The important thing to remember is that JESUS rose from the dead. The gospel writers captured different aspects of the event to appeal to a certain audience to whom they were writing and reporting highlights that they thought important.

We are looking at John’s version of the event. So let’s return to John’s version.

Mary must have looked inside the tomb because she knew that the body of JESUS was not there.

2 So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!”

She runs to tell the Apostle Peter the news. The Apostle John was there with Peter. John is the disciple that JESUS loved. This was a nickname the early church gave to John and since he wrote this account years after the event, John used the term of endearment.

3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first.

John out runs Peter.

5 Stooping down, he (John) saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in.

John stoops down and looks inside the tomb. He does not go inside but guess who does go inside?

6 Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. 9 For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went home again.
The Apostle Peter goes inside and gives a description of what he sees. The grave clothes are lying such that he knows where the head and feet of JESUS were. It appears as if JESUS just vaporized through the graves clothes. The Apostle John enters the tomb and when he saw the empty tomb, he believed.
Some of us believe more quickly than others. The important thing is that we take the step of faith and believe. We may have to ask the LORD help our unbelief and help us to see HIM more clearly as our SAVIOR and LORD. Just like a new born baby has to be nurtured and fed to grow into a healthy adult. Each believer must also grow and feed on the milk and meat of the scripture to grow and mature into a solid relationship with our LORD. It is a journey.
John makes it clear that they had not put it all together about the resurrection of JESUS. It took the angles, JESUS and the scripture to help them put it all together.
This is true with many of us. We encounter JESUS, but do not fully comprehend our encounter until later, even much later in life. As we grow and mature in the LORD, as we learn of HIM and commit our lives to HIM, HE reveals more of Himself to us. Notice this as JESUS reveals Himself as these events continue to unfold.
Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord
11 But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb.

Mary follows Peter and John back to the tomb. Peter and John leave and Mary remains all alone. She is crying. This is not a quite cry but an intense, wailing cry. She stoops to look inside the tomb.

12 She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying. 13 They said to her, “• Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.”

Mary sees two (2) angels. She is not frightened but uses the encounter in an effort to find the location of JESUS’ body. The angels ask her a question. First, why are you crying? She makes it clear that she is looking for JESUS. JESUS makes it clear to us when we seek HIM, we will find HIM. The angels knew her heart and that she sought her LORD.

She turns and sees a man she thinks is the gardener. JESUS speaks to her but she did not recognize HIS voice. She still thinks HE is the gardener and wants to know where HE put HIS body. If HE will show her where HIS body is, she will take care of it. This shows the intent of her heart and the concern she has for her LORD. She wants JESUS to be treated with dignity even in death.

Do our preconceived notions blind us to seeing the truth? She was not looking for a risen JESUS but a dead JESUS.

There is some speculation that since JESUS had HIS glorified body that is the reason she did not recognize HIM. All believers will receive their glorified body at the second coming of JESUS. We will come from heaven in our born-again spirit body and then receive our new glorified body. Our glorified body will be like JESUS’ body. It will be a body completely under our control.

Some have speculated that since she was crying that her eyes were blurred and she could not see clearly.

It is clear that she is determined to try and find JESUS body. There are times JESUS tests us to let us reveal where our heart is and to reveal our true intentions. The test is for us because HE already knows our heart and our intensions. She is being prepared to encounter JESUS as she never dreamed she would encounter HIM. She would encounter the living JESUS and have the privilege of telling the disciples the good news.

16 Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”[2] Rabbouni is also used in Mk 10:51 —which means “Teacher.” 17 “Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father—to My God and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what[3] Lit these things He had said to her.

Mary turns her back and likely still crying, possibly sensing that the gardener will not help her because he is under orders. Her heart was likely very heavy. JESUS speaks her name, “Mary.” WOW!!! In a flash she spins around and shouts “Rabbouni.” She got it! HE LIVES!!! Oh what a joy floods our soul when we discover that HE LIVES and that HE LIVES within our heart.

This is the same with us today. When we seek truth and suddenly the voice of our LORD reveals truth to us in the eyes of our heart.

When JESUS calls us by name we know it is HIM.

Then JESUS says something to Mary that sounds harsh. “Don’t cling to ME.” It is thought that when she spun around she fell at HIS feet to worship HIM and wrapped her arms around HIS feet and clung to HIS feet.

We need to fast forward to the message JESUS wants her to deliver to HIS brothers to help us understand why there was no time to waste. Review verse 17.

Here we see several important facts:

(1) JESUS refers to HIS disciples as brothers. JESUS had paid the price for sin. This fact allows all believers direct access to GOD. Therefore all believers can experience the miracle of rebirth and become children of GOD and in essence become a brother or a sister to CHRIST. After all we have the same FATHER.
(2) JESUS wants Mary to tell HIS disciples that HE will be ascending to “MY FATHER and your FATHER – to MY GOD and your GOD.” This is critical. JESUS up to this point had always talked about HIS FATHER, now HE is saying that all believers can call GOD their FATHER, just as HE had done.
(3) All that remains is for JESUS to ascend to heaven so HE could send the HOLY SPIRIT back to indwell every believer.
(4) JESUS through HIS sinless life, death and resurrection had paid the price to purify the human body such that the HOLY SPIRIT could reside in the human body of every believer. We as believers no longer have to go to the temple to worship GOD our FATHER. The body of every believer is the temple and GOD dwells within each Christian.
(5) All believers need to worship as a body because GOD equips each believer differently so the true body of believers can function as one. Each believer contributes to the function of the true church. Each believer has a vital role to play.

Mary is obedient and goes and tells the disciples that she has seen the LORD. She tells them what the LORD asked her to tell them.

The first person to see the LORD after HIS resurrection is a woman. This fact alone let’s us know that the account of the resurrection is true. If someone wanted to fabricate such an event, they would have had a man to be the first witness of such an event.

JESUS revealed Himself to Mary as she struggled to locate JESUS’ body. She was not looking for or expecting HIS resurrection. She was looking for HIS physical body. As she searched, JESUS led her to see beyond the physical to see the miracle which had taken place through HIS death, burial and resurrection. Because of what CHRIST did she and all believers can now call GOD, FATHER. Since all believers are born-again and have the same FATHER through the miracle of the rebirth in our spirit, we are brothers and sisters in CHRIST. All believers are now heirs and joint heirs with CHRIST and are part of GOD’S family. What a heritage!!!! All believers are children of GOD and will dwell with HIM for all eternity.

Do you know CHRIST as your SAVIOR? If not today salvation can come to you. Do not pass it up. Ask CHRIST to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life now. This will be the beginning of an awesome journey with our LORD. Welcome to the family.