Bible Study - Maze of Grief - Encounter the Risen Lord - John 20 - April 24, 2011

Bible Study – Maze of Grief – Encounter the Risen Lord – April 24, 2011

This is our final lesson in our series “Negotiating the Maze of Grief.”
Our scripture is John 20:1-18.
Our series of study has led us to consider several aspects of grief. It is fitting that our final lesson focuses upon the resurrection of JESUS. There are times that our grief can change from great sorrow to joy. There are many people hurting during these days because they cannot find a job and their bills continue to mount. This would grieve most anyone. But then they get a call or letter telling them that they are being offered a job that suits them to the tee and will pay them a good salary with benefits. WOW!!! That is good news and in an instant their grief turns to joy.


We will see how grief turns to joy when those who loved JESUS discover that HE had been raised from the dead. The tomb was empty.


We need to briefly consider all four (4) gospels, Matthew- Chapter 27, Mark – Chapter 15, Luke – Chapter 23 and John – Chapter 19 to get the full picture of the events leading up to this resurrection Sunday.


JESUS was crucified on Friday and died on Friday. HE was crucified about 9:00 AM; darkness fell over the land beginning at 12:00 noon until 3:00 PM. JESUS died at 3:00 PM. Three (3) PM began the first evening and the second evening began at 6:00 PM. It was against Jewish law for a body to hang on a tree (cross) over night. This was Passover; therefore, it was especially critical that no dead body remain on the tree (cross) after sundown. Hence, Joseph and Nicodemus had to move quickly to get the body prepared and buried before 6 PM.


After 3:00 PM Joseph of Arimathea, a secret follower of JESUS, asked for the body of JESUS. Pilot had to make sure JESUS was dead and he asked a centurion to confirm JESUS’ death. The Roman soldiers had broken the legs of those who had been crucified, except they saw that JESUS appeared dead and they pierced JESUS’ side with a spear to make sure. Water and blood flowed out. They confirmed to Pilot that HE was dead. JESUS’ body was released to Joseph of Arimathea.


Joseph was a wealthy man and was also a member of the powerful Sanhedrin. We also learn that Nicodemus who was a member of the Sanhedrin was the religious leader who came to talk to JESUS at night as recorded in John Chapter 3. He accompanied Joseph to bury the body of JESUS. They took HIM to a tomb owned by Joseph. The tomb was a cave hued out from rock. It had a round stone wheel which could be rolled in a track to seal the entrance to the tomb. They took 75 pounds of spices with them to the tomb to place on the body to help preserve it and wrapped it with linen. The stone was rolled into place and sealed. Guards were placed there to guard the tomb to ensure that JESUS’ disciples did not steal HIS body and claim a false resurrection. It is not clear if the guards were Roman or temple but the tomb was guarded.


Let’s read John 20:1-10: The Empty Tomb
1 On the first day of the week (Sunday) • Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed[1] from the tomb. 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!” 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. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. 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.


As mentioned earlier, we need to study all four (4) gospels to get the full picture of this first discovery that JESUS was no longer in the tomb. In John’s account he tells us that on the first day of the week, Sunday, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of JESUS early that morning while it was still dark.


The Jews worshipped on Saturday, which was their seventh day or Sabbath. Thus the first day of the week would be our Sunday. Mary Magdalene went to the tomb of JESUS. Mary and the other Mary, not the mother of JESUS, had watched Joseph and Nicodemus and knew where they had placed JESUS’ body. Matthew tells us that the other Mary went with Mary Magdalene that morning. Mark tells us that Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome brought spices that morning to continue the embalming process.


They were concerned about who would roll the large stone away from the entrance to the tomb. But GOD had already taken care of that obstacle for them. Often, GOD has prepared the way when we obediently serve HIM. Our part is to go; HIS part is to prepare the way.


As you can see, we need to study all four (4) gospels to get the complete picture of what is happening during this critical discovery – JESUS HAS RISEN!!! THE TOMB IS EMPTY!!!


You can only imagine the heavy heart and many questions that the women and disciples had running through their minds since the crucifixion of JESUS. As Mary Magdalene approached the tomb, what was running through her mind? Was it thoughts of the time JESUS delivered her from the seven (7) demons? Was she puzzled why JESUS had so much power, yet HE could not save Himself? Gee, I miss HIM so much? Why? Why?


Then she saw that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was open! What was going on, someone had taken the body of my JESUS’. Panic might have run though her mind. She ran to tell the disciples that someone has taken the body of JESUS. The tomb was empty, according to John’s gospel. Yet, if we look at the other gospel writers we learn that the tomb had angels present.


Here we have to speculate. We know that other women accompanied Mary Magdalene that morning as they went to the tomb to finish the embalming process. Mary Magdalene was horror struck when she saw the stone rolled away for the entrance the tomb. Her first thoughts were someone has taken the body of my JESUS!!! So she ran to tell the disciples who she likely thought could do more in locating HIS body than a bunch of women. We have to keep in mind this was a man’s world and it is GOD’S way of showing HIS unbiased love for all by revealing the resurrection of JESUS to women over men.


We see that Peter, Mister impetuous, and the disciple whom JESUS loved, John, sprang into action. John outran Peter to the tomb. John looked into the empty and believed but it seems that Peter was not so quick to believe that JESUS had been resurrected. But John says they still did not have a complete understanding of what had happened. They return home. They were surely pondering what had happened to JESUS. But what did Mary Magdalene do? Let’s find out.


Let’s read John 20:11-15: 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. 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 returned to the tomb and was standing outside of the tomb crying. She looked into the tomb and saw the two (2) angels. The angels asked her, “Why are you crying? She told them, “Because they’ve taken away my Lord and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” Then she turned and saw a man standing there. The man called her “woman” and she thought the man was the gardener. HE asked her two (2) questions – “Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Mary’s response was, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.”


She did not respond when JESUS called her “woman.” She did not answer HIS questions. She just wanted to know where her JESUS was. She was determined to find HIM. When we seek JESUS, HE may ask us “Why are you broken hearted? Why are seeking ME? Who are you looking for?” HE will reveal Himself to those who seek HIM.


Mary Magdalene wanted to know, “If you took HIM, where is HE? I will take HIM away.” This to me is so sweet and shows the love that she had for JESUS. We do not know how strong she was but all she wanted was for the gardener to show her where HE had placed JESUS and she would take HIM. Mary Magdalene was distraught. Her world had crumbled. She was grieving. It is conceivable that because she was a woman and a man was speaking to her that she did not look directly into HIS face. Oh, but what followers is priceless!!!


Let’s read John 20:16-18:
16 Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”[2]—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] He had said to her.


All JESUS had to do was to speak her name. When JESUS said “woman” it did not command her attention but when HE said “Mary,” that was a different story. I think when HE spoke her name, it revealed the intimate relationship she had with JESUS. When HE said, “Mary” her despair changed in an instant to a joy that was incomprehensible. She recognized HIM as her “Teacher” and her “LORD.”


Did you know that GOD knows your name? When CHRIST referred to Mary Magdalene as “woman” that was generic but when HE said “Mary” that was personal, loving and tender. JESUS had taught “MY sheep will know MY voice.” We love for people to know us by name and when it is GOD that knows our name, it is awesome. CHRIST’S death was personal. HE died for you. Encounter the living SAVIOR today by asking HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life right now


Verse 17 may seem like harsh words but JESUS had unfinished business. HE had taught about what was going to happen to HIM and about the need for HIM to go away in order for the HOLY SPIRIT to be able to return to indwell all believers. Such scripture is copied below:


John 14:25: JESUS was speaking:
25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.


John15:26: JESUS was speaking:
26 “When the • Counselor comes, the One I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me.


John 16:7-16: JESUS was speaking:
7 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the • Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. 8 When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: 9 about sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father[3]and you will no longer see Me; 11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is Mine. This is why I told you that He takes from what is Mine and will declare it to you.


Sorrow Turned to Joy
16 “A little while and you will no longer see Me; again a little while and you will see Me.”[4]


Mary could have thought this was HIS second coming. The fact was, she had found HIM and was determined not to lose HIM again. JESUS uttered the words “I have not yet ascended to the Father” and HE clarified that HIS passion established a new relationship between HIM and GOD and all who would believe in HIM.


JESUS confirmed a Christian’s relationship to HIM and GOD, the FATHER as Brother/Son-ship and Brother/Daughter-ship. HE said, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father—to My God and your God.”


As already mentioned, JESUS had unfinished business. HIS and Mary’s physical relationship had to change to a Spiritual relationship. HE had to ascend into heaven so the FATHER could send the HOLY SPIRIT back to earth to indwell all who would believe in HIM. Then all who had become or would become born-again Christians would have HIS presence 24/7 indwelling them. JESUS is for all who will believe in HIM. Christians are to go and tell others about HIM. Once they accept CHRIST as their SAVIOR, they need to tell others what HE has done for them.


Mary Magdalene had encountered JESUS and ran to tell the Good News, “I have seen the LORD.” And she told them what HE had said to her. Christians are to tell others about JESUS, as the HOLY SPIRIT leads them.


Our study has been on grief. Only JESUS can turn grief into unspeakable joy. When you know HIM and HE knows you, when HE speaks your name it is overwhelming. Such comfort, peace and joy sweeps over you. When you know this world is not your final home and HE has prepared a place for you in heaven it makes this life upon earth more palatable. We still grieve when bad things happen. Let GOD comfort you though the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.


Do you know JESUS as your SAVIOR? If not, right now is the best moment to ask HIM to forgive you for your sins, acknowledge that HE died for your sins and ask HIM to come into your life. If you have done that, then thank HIM for saving you and go and tell someone what you have done.


MAKE THIS A HAPPY EASTER BY ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR. IF YOU ARE ALREADY A CHRISTIAN BUT HAVE NOT BEEN LIVING FOR HIM, THEN REDEDICATE YOUR LIFE TO HIM. HE HAS RISEN. THE TOMB IS EMPTY!