Bible Study - Encounter (6) - JESUS Rose Again to Give Me Eternal Life - John 20, 1-18 - April 9, 2023

 

Bible Study – Encounter (6) – JESUS Rose Again to Give Me Life – April 9, 2023

This is our sixth and final lesson in our series entitled, “Encounter with JESUS.”

Our focus scripture is John 20:1-18.

JESUS’S resurrection offers eternal life for all who place their faith and trust in HIM --- Including me.

Discovering that the empty tomb where JESUS was placed is a major milestone of every would be Christian. We think of physical death as being the endpoint of our life’s journey but for the Spirit-born believer in JESUS, it is only the beginning.

I accepted JESUS when I was about nine years old and I am now 85 years old. I have had many highs and lows along my Spiritual journey but one thing sure and two-things certain, JESUS has never abandoned me, although I have abandoned HIM many times along my Spiritual journey.

I have an inquiring mind and seek truth.

I questioned, “Was JESUS really dead when HE was placed in the tomb?”

Oh yes! JESUS was beaten, hung on a cross and a spear thrust in HIS side. When you compare the Old Testament prophesy regarding the life and ministry of the promised Messiah they match up.

I could keep going but let’s get to the heart of the proof that JESUS is the promised Messiah. The empty tomb!!!

Let’s explore!

The Roman soldiers made sure that JESUS was physically dead.

We read in John 19: ³⁸ After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’s body. Pilate gave him permission; so, he came and took his body away. ³⁹ Nicodemus (who had previously come to him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about seventy-five pounds^[j] of myrrh and aloes. ⁴⁰ They took Jesus’s body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the fragrant spices, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹ There was a garden in the place where he was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. ⁴² They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish day of preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

Two members of the Jewish Sanhedrin buried the body of JESUS:

Joseph of Arimathea:

Luke 23:50-51:

⁵⁰ There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, ⁵¹ who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. ⁵² He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body.

Matthew 27:57:

⁵⁷ When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 

Likely Joseph of Arimathea being a wealthy man gave him prominence with the Roman rulers.

Then we have Nicodemus, also a member of the Sanhedrin, who came to JESUS at night and asked JESUS a very important question as we read in John 3:1-3: There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him.”

³ Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again,^[a] he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Both of these men buried JESUS’ physical body. They new HE was physically dead. So did the women followers of JESUS and HIS disciples.

But the miracle of miracles was about to be discovered. Up from the grave HE arose! The bodily resurrection of JESUS is proof that JESUS conquered physical death due to the consequence of sin. This means that all who place their faith in JESUS have eternal life.

Have you discovered the empty tomb?

Let’s read John 20:1 – 18:

20 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 from the tomb. ² So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”

The first day of the week would be our Sunday. Mary Magdalene came to finish embalming or checking on the condition of the physical body of JESUS. She saw that the stone covering the entrance to the tomb where JESUS’ body had been placed was removed. Oh my! Likely her first thoughts were that someone had taken the body of JESUS. So, she takes off to find JESUS’ disciples. Peter and John sprang into action.

³ At that, Peter and the other disciple (John) went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple (John) outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵ Stooping down, he (John) saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. ⁶ Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He (Peter) 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 (John), who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. ⁹ For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

¹¹ But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. ¹² She saw two angels in white sitting where Jesus’s body had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 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, but she did not know it was Jesus. ¹⁵ “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?”

Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.”

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

Oh my, when JESUS speaks your name, what a flood of joy sweeps over you. Do you know the voice of JESUS? It is precious and unmistakable!

I have heard fellow believers say, ”If JESUS spoke to me, I would run.” Well, JESUS desires for those HE calls to not be afraid of HIM but to listen to what HE reveals.

Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic,^[a] “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” Instant recognition!

Do you recall the encounter Mary Magdalene had with JESUS? [ 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.]

Repentance is turning from going in one direction to making a 180 degree turn and going in the opposite direction. Mary went from great sorrow to overwhelming joy. JESUS IS ALIVE!!! That is the overwhelming joy of every person who sees JESUS as their living Savior!

All who place their faith in JESUS, serve a living Savior and because HE lives so will all who place their faith in HM. Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and foe HIM to come into your heart? If so, why not? Eternity is only a heartbeat away.

¹⁷ “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since 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.”

We can only imagine the thrill and flow of joy that went over Mary when she discovered that the person, she thought was the gardener was actually JESUS! Her first reaction would be to cling to HIM but JESUS had a mission for her. She had to go and reveal this Good News to JESUS’ disciples.

When any person discovers the living JESUS his or her first reaction is to be in awe of HIM but that is only the beginning. Once a person embraces JESUS as his or her risen Savior, he/she does not want that moment to escape but once a person knows JESUS as his/her living Savior, JESUS wants that person to share that Good News with others.

 

As those who have been born-again seek to serve, they have the desire to grow Spiritually and to share with others.  

As we read on, what does Mary do?

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what^[b] he had said to her.

JESUS had completed HIS mission to redeem all who place their faith in HIM. GOD had raised JESUS from the physically dead to HIM now living eternally in HIS new eternal Glorified body.

This was just the beginning for all who have been redeemed by the shed blood of JESUS to tell others this Good News. This Good News was announced by a lady JESUS had redeemed and she ran and told JESUS’ disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what^[b] he had said to her.”

Once a person sees JESUS as his/her living Savior, from that instant on, is when he/she is to share that Good News.

Rejoice!!! JESUS has risen from the grave and HE lives!!!

HE suffered just for you to have eternal life! It is yours. Will you accept it?

Happy Easter!!!

Blessings!!!