John 20

He is Risen

Mat 27:62 Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
Mat 27:63 Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.
Mat 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
Mat 27:65 Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Mat 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.
Mat 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mat 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
Mat 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
Mat 28:4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

John only mentions that Mary Magdalene was there.

John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

John was the other disciple. At this time Mary thought Jesus' body had been taken, she was not expecting him to be risen from the dead.

John 20:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

John, being younger shows us this detail, that he outrun Peter and was the first of the twelve disciples to see the empty tomb. Please note, that Peter was excited to see the empty tomb as well, but was still carrying with him the guilt of having three times denied the Lord. Perhaps this slowed him down, having felt unworthy to search for the Lord. When we fail God, we sometimes lag behind or fall away. These are the ones the church needs to come along side of. We are not condemned, having received Jesus, he keeps us. He came to save us, not to condemn us. We have a ministry of reconciliation.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 20:5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
John 20:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

Peter always was bold, dashing in where others were cautious. It was Peter who called to the Lord as he walked on water in the stormy sea, at night.

Mat 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Mat 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

These were details that only an eyewitness would know about. Even in the resurrection Jesus was orderly. He didn't just toss the restricting apparel, it was wrapped together in a separate place.

1 Cor 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Referring to tongues, but applied here. God is an orderly God, no confusion.

John 20:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
John 20:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

They had not heard and understood that he was to rise on the third day, having been told three times, it had not been understood; not until now. If the body had been taken, the shroud would not be left behind, undisturbed.

John 20:10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

They did not stay at the tomb, but remembering the earlier words of Jesus:

Mat 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Mat 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

They left to their homes. Were they expecting to see Jesus? Are we expecting to see him? Where would or will we be? We cannot go to him while living, but he can come to us at any time.

John 20:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

Mary staid at the tomb, as one weeping at a desecrated grave.

John 20:12 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.

The angels did not appear visible to Peter and John, perhaps because they knew that Jesus had risen.

John 20:13 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.

Angels are messengers These angels asked Mary why she was crying? The answer was nearby.

John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
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.

Mary, speaking to the risen Jesus, did not see him as who he was. She thought that he was the gardener. Actually, his Father was as the gardener, the vine dresser.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Many do not see Jesus as he is. Perhaps Mary could not see, for the tears in her eyes. Yet, she was looking for Jesus. If we seek the Lord, he will be found.

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

She saw her Lord and master. Her seeking him was rewarded. She was the first to see the risen savior.

John 20:17 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.

Here are two views about this passage:

1) Why didn't Jesus want Mary to touch Him? Actually, the ancient Greek construction of this phrase "means to stop an action already begun rather than to avoid starting it." (Tenney) Mary was holding on to Jesus and did not want to let Him go.

2) Jesus had not yet ascended to the Father to deposit His holy blood on the heavenly altar. He was not to be touched, for her sins were not yet forgiven. He must appear before the Father with no uncleanness.

Matthew speaks of another meeting of a touchable Jesus by the two Mary's on the way to tell the disciples of his resurrection.

Mat 28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
Mat 28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Mat 28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

It was a quick trip to heaven and back. But nothing unusual for God.

John 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

Jesus showed himself first to women. The law courts of that day would not recognize the testimony of a woman, but Jesus did. There is no greater love than that of Jesus. With him there is no prejudice. All who believe are received by him.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Thomas

John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

It was the evening of resurrection day, a Sunday. The disciples were hiding behind closed doors, for fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared in their midst, speaking peace to their fearful hearts. Mark gives us more information about this, beginning with the witness of Mary Magdalene to the disciples.

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

They were mourning and so sad. When Mary told them of the resurrection of Jesus, they didn't believe her. They were not filled with faith and like so many they were caught up in the emotions of the flesh. Too many who claim to know Jesus are walking under a cloud of doubt and confusion. Are you a victim or an overcomer?

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. We must be born again of His Spirit. These things are of the old man, not of the new spiritual man or woman in Christ.

Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
Mark 16:13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

The disciples didn't receive the witness of the two men who had walked with Christ on the road to Emmaus. At first the men were sad and did not recognize Jesus. He spoke to them.

Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
Luke 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

John 20:20 And when he had so said, he showed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Jesus retained the scars as proof to the disciples that it was he, who had risen from the dead. Their hearts were slow to believe. They needed to see with their eyes.

1 Sam 16:7 ... for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
John 20:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The Lord commissioned them to be witnesses of himself, and he blew on them, and gave them the Holy Ghost for witnessing. We need the power of the Holy Ghost, or our witness is of the flesh, the letter without God's Spirit. This brings condemnation, whereas the Spirit brings grace. The twelve had the Holy Ghost before Pentecost. No mention of tongues at this time. At Pentecost the Holy Ghost was given to 120 waiting in the upper room.

John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

So he did not receive the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. The twelve was already missing Judas, and Thomas being absent, there were ten who received the Holy Ghost from Jesus.

John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Thomas was a natural man, seeking physical proof. We cannot always see physical proofs. The Lord is not physically here now, but we have eyewitness testimonies in the epistles and the gospels.

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
1 John 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us; )
1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

We must receive the good report.

John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Another time Jesus appeared, through walls, to the disciples, this time Thomas was present.

John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

At first, when speaking to Mary, Jesus had not yet been to the Father and was not to be touched. Now he invites Thomas to touch the wounds. The wounds that brought him death, now testify that he has risen from the grave.

Our scars of the past can be used as a testimony to our new life in Christ. We are healed by the Lord and all things of the past work together for good to the glory of God. We hope for our resurrected bodies in glory, it is by faith we receive.

Rom 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Thomas received the Holy Ghost too. For no man can know Jesus as Lord and God unless revealed by His Spirit.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
John 15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

The testimony of the Holy Ghost and the personal testimony of men who were with Jesus is our witness. We were not there, but we receive the written testimonies and the Spirit is in agreement.

1 John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Natural physical seeing and believing is not as blessed as Spiritual trust.

2 Cor 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight: )

John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

John's gospel was to show that Jesus is the Son of God. There were many other signs not written in the book. He concludes his gospel stating that there was much more to Jesus' life.

John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

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