Written by: David Morgan – The Evangelization Society (TES)
John 20 v 1-9
Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while
it was still dark. When she saw that the large stone had been moved away from
the tomb, she ran to Simon Peter and the follower whom Jesus loved. Mary said,
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have
put him.”
So Peter and the other follower started for the tomb. They were both running,
but the other follower ran faster than Peter and reached the tomb first. He
bent down and looked in and saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, but he
did not go in. Then following him, Simon Peter arrived and went into the tomb
and saw the strips of linen lying there. He also saw the cloth that had been
around Jesus’ head, which was folded up and laid in a different place from the
strips of linen. Then the other follower, who had reached the tomb first, also
went in. He saw and believed. (They did not yet understand from the Scriptures
that Jesus must rise from the dead.)
Notes
Many is the time that I have sat at my computer trying to work out how to use
a program. Often it is only when one of my family explains it to me that it
all makes sense. Still, what would you expect from someone who is 53 years old!
Jesus, in the last days before his crucifixion, had spoken to His disciples, trying to explain to them what would happen over the next few weeks. He wanted to prepare them for the dramatic events that would lead to His death and resurrection. Yet their thinking was clouded; they were unprepared for these events.
As Mary reached the tomb, her reaction was one of panic: “They have taken the Lord…”. Interestingly, Peter, who often spoke on behalf of the disciples, did not rush into the tomb. Instead, he observed the grave clothes lying there, perhaps trying to work out what had taken place. John, having arrived at the tomb, saw the clothes and as a result believed that Jesus had risen as He said. As our passage says: “He saw and believed”.
As we consider these events, what is our reaction? Can we see that here was the evidence that Christ had risen? That Jesus had not only died for our sins but had risen to be our Saviour? Has the truth become clear to you today, unlike my knowledge of computers?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, although I do not understand many things in the Bible, I can see
today that you died and rose again. Thank you for dying for my sins so that
I can be forgiven, and rising again so that you can live in my life from now
on. Amen
John 20 v 10-14
Then the followers went back home. But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying.
As she was crying, she bent down and looked inside the tomb. She saw two angels
dressed in white, sitting where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one
at the feet.
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
She answered, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have
put him.” When Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,
but she did not know it was Jesus.
Notes
In looking back over your life, no doubt you can recall some happy events that
have taken place - times when you have been able to laugh and smile. In contrast,
equally there are those times when life seems to be at a low point, everything
is going wrong, laughter has turned to crying, and a smile has turned to a long
face which sometimes speaks of a broken heart. Have you ever asked the question:
“What’s the point of carrying on?”
Over the past three years Mary had seen the way in which Jesus had been able to speak to the crowds with great effectiveness, and heal the sick, which amazed everyone present. But now we see her crying, and no doubt she had been crying for the past three days, heartbroken at the events that had taken place, weak in her body and exhausted in her mind.
Yet she still looked for an answer, and the account tells us that Jesus was “standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus”.
Although she was puzzled and could not fully understand all that was taking place, she still longed to see her Lord. Clearly her faith was being tested, but she had not given up and thrown it to one side.
What an encouragement for us today, that even in the darkest periods of our lives Jesus is not far away. We may not always see Him clearly, but He is there willing to help and strengthen us.
Why not take a few moments to pray for a friend, a family member or yourself that Jesus may draw near to you today?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank you that even in the darkest hour you have promised
to be with me. Help me today to know your strength so that I may be able to
look forward with confidence, knowing that you care for me. Amen
John 20 v 15-18
Jesus asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Whom are you looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said to him, “Did you take him away, sir?
Tell me where you put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
Mary turned towards Jesus and said in the Jewish language, “Rabboni.” (This
means Teacher.)
Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, because I have not yet gone up to the
Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going back to my Father and
your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Mary Magdalene went and said to the followers, “I saw the Lord!” And she told
them what Jesus had said to her.
Notes
Throughout our Saviour’s ministry He helped many
people. Luke, in his gospel, tells us about the encounter the blind man had
with Jesus outside Jericho. Jesus asked him: “What do you want me to do for
you?” The answer the blind man gave was no surprise: “Lord, I want to see” (Luke
18 v 41).
Here Jesus asks two questions: “Woman, why are you crying?” and, “Whom are you looking for?” There are times when we need to express our feelings to Jesus; it’s not that He doesn’t know, but He longs to hear us say them.
Is there something you can bring to Jesus today and so acknowledge that you need His help and strength?
Perhaps the shadows had made that part of the garden a little dark, or the tears from her eyes had clouded her vision. But there can now be no doubt that she knew it was the Lord, for she called out “Rabboni”. What a thrill it must have been to know that the Saviour was alive; into her heart came excitement and she found it hard to contain. A heart full of sorrow was now full of joy.
It is often, when we feel broken in our spirits, that as we call on the Name of Jesus so He reveals Himself to us - lifts us up that our hearts are full of joy.
The end result was that Mary returned, calling out perhaps at the top of her voice: “I saw the Lord!” You cannot keep an excited person quiet, not even an adult!
Take time today to come before the Saviour and meet with Him. Then go and tell others the Good News, both in your church and to those who do not know the Saviour.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing Yourself to Mary in the garden. Please
come close to me that I may have a fresh understanding of Yourself. Help me
to be excited about the Christian faith and share it with others as I have the
opportunity. Amen
John 20 v 19-23
When it was evening on the first day of the week, the followers were together.
The doors were locked, because they were afraid of the Jews. Then Jesus came
and stood right in the middle of them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he
said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The followers were thrilled
when they saw the Lord.
Then Jesus said again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, I now send
you.” After he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven. If you don’t forgive them,
they are not forgiven.”
Notes
One of the great things about being a Christian is the opportunity to meet together
with those who believe the same. After all the events of the past few days it
is not surprising that the followers of Jesus were together. No doubt mixed
emotions ran high, with the joy of Mary having seen the Lord, and also the fear
of themselves being taken.
As we have the opportunity to meet with other Christians we will find people at different stages of Christian understanding and growth. As a family we should try to help each other as we face the future.
The focus of these verses is that Jesus came and “stood right in the middle of them”. This was to be an experience they would never forget, for it was the means of giving fresh hope and recharging their enthusiasm as they looked ahead.
Yesterday, the Lord met with Mary; today, it’s the group of followers. How thankful we need to be that Jesus meets in different ways at different times with those who try to put Him at the centre of their lives. Come to Jesus with an expectant and open heart - it makes all the difference.
But their work was not over, for as Christ had been an example, so He was now sending them out into a needy work. Count it a privilege today not only to know Christ but be one of His ambassadors.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the knowledge that you meet individuals, and also
Christians as they come together for times of study and worship. At this time
of the year may we once again experience in our own hearts and lives both the
peace and joy of knowing you. Amen
John 20 v 24-25
Thomas (called Didymus), who was one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus
came. The other followers kept telling Thomas, “We saw the Lord.”
But Thomas said, “I will not believe it until I see the nail marks in his hands
and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side.”
Notes
Often when I visit a local school, some of the younger children will come
rushing over to me and tell me some of the exciting things that have happened
to them, like for instance a birthday party or a special day out. They just
cannot keep it to themselves!
In our reading yesterday we saw how Christ had visited a group of His followers. Fear was taken away as Christ said: “Peace be with you.” After all they had been through, these words were a real boost and filled their lives with excitement.
In contrast, today we see the reaction of Thomas who was not present on this special occasion. Feeling understandably low after the events that had taken place, he no doubt felt nervous, shaken and restless in his own thinking. On entering the room, the other followers kept on telling him: “We have seen the Lord.”
Thomas was willing to believe, but he wanted to see the evidence for himself that Christ had risen. He wanted to see the nail marks and feel where the nails and spear had entered. From a human point of view that was quite understandable and therefore we should not be too hard on this man who had been through so much.
But surely these verses teach us two very clear lessons. First of all, although we get excited about the Christian faith, other people may be finding the way hard. We therefore need to be sensitive to their situations, not overwhelming them with our enthusiasm. Secondly, while understanding how Thomas must have felt, we have to understand in our lives that certain things about the Christian life are to be accepted by faith; we cannot always expect clear evidence.
Thomas was not giving up, and neither should we when things get difficult!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help me to not only be excited when I feel you close but
also to be understanding towards others who are finding the Christian life an
uphill struggle. May I be an encouragement to them that they to may rejoice
in your constant love. Amen
John 20 v 26-29
A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.
The doors were locked, but Jesus came in and stood right in the middle of them.
He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here,
and look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop being an unbeliever
and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you see me. Those who believe without
seeing me will be truly happy.”
Notes
Today we live in a materialistic world that demands an answer to every situation.
It has to be proved either by a formula or some scientific experiment. But there
are some things that you cannot see or quantify that have an effect upon our
lives. For instance, “love” is an invisible ingredient that affects our relationships
with friends and family. We can either have a warm relationship with them or
a frosty one. Love is not seen, but it can be felt.
Jesus had already appeared to some of His followers (you can read about this in John 20 v 24-25). Thomas on this occasion was not present and felt that he could not believe until he too had witnessed the presence of Jesus.
How thankful we should be that the Lord showed compassion and understanding towards Thomas and appeared to him. Throughout this series of events Thomas had hung on to his faith. Yet we can understand from a human perspective that he had periods of doubt and needed reassurance.
As individuals we go through times likes these, and the Lord comes and makes His presence extra real. Often this takes place as we spend time in prayer, read our Bibles and meet with other Christians.
But just as we accept that “love” is present in our world, so we must accept aspects of faith by trust and not sight. A personal faith should never be solely dependent upon signs, miracles and other proofs.
Ask the Lord to increase your level of personal faith so that you may live with the quiet assurance that He is with you at every stage of your life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please forgive me that at times my faith is not as strong as it
could be. Help me to be able to trust you more, be aware of your presence and
know your help in my life each day. Amen
John 20 v 30-31
Jesus did many other miracles in the presence of his followers that are not
written in this book. But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you may have life through
his name.
Notes
Coming home from a holiday can be sad, especially if you have planned for this
special event over an extended period of time. You are grateful for the pictures
or video you have been able to take, but at the very best they can only be snapshots
of what took place, for you cannot fully record all the happiness that you enjoyed.
In these last two verses of John’s gospel, John tells us that Jesus performed many other miracles that are not recorded in his gospel. But the ones that are written down are to be a means to allow us to believe and have a personal faith.
John lays great emphasis on the idea of “believing”. In fact, he draws our attention to it over 100 times in his gospel. We might ask the question: what point is he trying to make?
He answers that question in the last ten words of our passage: “Then, by believing, you may have life through his name”.
Clearly we are encouraged to have a faith in Christ which comes through a belief in what we have understood. We do not have the advantage of seeing Christ like his followers did. But through reading the scriptures with an open mind, we can accept them and this will lead to a personal faith and understanding.
The Easter story is focused not on the crowds of people, the disciples or the leaders, but rather on a Saviour who was willing to give His life so that we could be forgiven. The challenge, as a result, comes to us that through faith we might accept forgiveness in our own heart.
Take a few moments to reflect on all you know about Jesus and turn that into a prayer of faith, asking Him to become your Saviour.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that through reading the stories of your life I can gain
sufficient understanding to believe in a Saviour who loved me and gave Himself
for me. Today I want to ask you into my life to forgive my sinful ways and make
me a new person. Amen
word-on-the-web uses the Scripture text taken
from the Youth Bible, New Century Version (Anglicised Edition) copyright 1993
by Word Publishing Milton Keynes