Jesus is resurrected
John 20:1-18; BCBC/IOUC; 7/31/2021; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
The resurrection of Jesus is the most incredible thing in the world, right? Unless you are truly a person chosen by God, no one can rely on human intelligence to know the truth that Christ was raised from the dead.Because the resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, without the resurrection, what we believe is in vain. right? Look at the first point:
Saw the stone removed from the tomb
What impact did the resurrection of Jesus bring to us? Have you thought about it? First, the first day of the week. Why is it the first day of the week? This is the first day after the Sabbath. What’s the point? At the beginning of the world, after the Sabbath, God issued missions and commandments to people. However, sin makes people neglect their mission, break the commandments, and lose the fellowship of God and man. On the first day after the cross, God will recreate a new world and choose a new race of humans. On the first day of God’s new creation, everything started from the resurrection! This was the first day of the church, and the worship of Christ began. When it was still dark, God opened the door of prayer! Because prayer is a sentinel to welcome worship and a signal to watch! Mary Magdalene started the first day of the week and came to see the tomb of the Lord Settlement.
Secondly, Magdalene came to the tomb. What is Magdalene looking at? See if the body of the Lord was ignored in yesterday’s rush? Is the shroud tightly wrapped, and is the body placed securely? Remember that time was in a hurry yesterday, and it seemed that some work was still incomplete? Along the way, Magdalene had many thoughts, recalling the experience of the Lord casting out demons for her. She remembered that not long ago, he wiped her head with perfumed ointment on his feet and washed tears through her hair to wash away her sins. Her actions aroused the dissatisfaction of Judas, but the judgment cannot measure the value. Only Jesus understood that she was for the Lord’s burial today. She was moved by the Holy Spirit to get up early and come to the tomb before dawn. She wants to see the Lord who is so gracious to her. What is the situation today?
Finally, seeing the stone move away. Aren’t there Roman soldiers guarding it? Why did the big stone that sealed the entrance of the tomb also moved away from the tomb? We know that Jesus’ crucifixion and burial were public historical events that took place in full view. Countless pairs of eyes were staring, to see what happened. The day was the Sabbath, and the body had to be buried before sunset. On the first morning of the week, Mary Magdalene came to Jesus’ tomb. The stone was moved, and Magdalene saw the stone removed from the tomb, indicating that something unusual must have happened. Let’s look at the second point:
People moved the Lord from the tomb
Mary Magdalene found out such a big issue, that she didn’t dare to carry it by herself, so she called Peter and John. First of all, run to witness together. Please pay attention to John’s detailed description, a few of them are running around. Magdalene came to see Peter and John, right? The stone gate at the entrance of the tomb has been moved. There are many possibilities, right? Transferred by the Roman Empire? In order to prevent the disciples from stealing the corpse, the high priest and King Herod acted first and hid the corpse first? Peter and John heard Magdalene’s report. The Bible records that, “Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. (John 20:4)” Why are they running? Is it curious? At least, they feel that this issue is very important!
Secondly, the linen cloth wraps the headscarf. The linen cloth is the shroud, and the turban should be part of the shroud. It may be that the whole body is wrapped up, and the turban is added to complete the whole process. Both Peter and John saw the linen cloth and the turban. And the turban and linen cloth are not put together, they are rolled up in another place. This detail was captured by John, who said: “Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (John 20:8)” Why? Can we imagine the conditions under which the turban and linen cloth are wrapped around the body, but still rolled up and placed there three-dimensionally? Unless it’s the body of Christ, leaving these linen cloths and turbans like steam, keeping them in their original rolled form, right?
Finally, the one who saw it first and believed it. After all, John was young at the time, and when he described his confidence fully, he didn’t save his place. He said that he “sees it and believes it”, how good is it? But Peter, his big brother still didn’t believe it. why? He even thought out the reasons for Peter: “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” It may be that Peter’s qualifications in the church are all higher than John’s. John knew in his heart, but he dared not say anything. The Bible says: “Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. (John 20:10)” What is the Bible saying? What is your gain? Obtaining God’s words, enlightening guidance, and applying God’s truth are in no particular order. The last must be the first, and the first should also work hard! Let’s look at the third point:
Someone said, “I have seen the Lord!”
Who’s that? Who said “I have seen the Lord”? After the two disciples had gone, Mary Magdalene was crying there. From time to time lower her head and looked into the tomb, what did she see? First, she saw the angels. Does Mary have faith at this time? Yes, it is very small, as small as a mustard seed, right? But God has grace for her! Following the movement of the Holy Spirit, she looked into the tomb and saw the angel. Seeing two angels in white clothes, these should be messengers sent by the Father to serve the Lord who has just risen from the dead. One was on the head and the other was on the feet. The angel asked Mary: “Why are you crying?” Mary was crying so sad that she asked: “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him! (John 20:2)” Obviously, Mary is looking for the resurrected Lord among the dead!
Secondly, seeing Jesus. In fact, Jesus was standing by her side at this time, and the bible says that she clearly saw Jesus standing there, but did not know that it was Jesus. Then it was Jesus’ turn to ask her: Why are you crying? Mary’s spiritual eyes have been closed and she turned a blind eye to Jesus! She still asked the resurrected Jesus for the body of Jesus, Is it ironic? Until Jesus called her name: “Mary!” This is a voice that Mary is familiar with, right? Do you understand the importance of establishing a relationship with the Lord? Don’t come to the critical moment, be unfamiliar with the Lord, don’t know the Lord, so that you may pass by the Lord. If the Lord comes back tonight and calls our names loudly, can you tell it’s the voice of the Lord?
Finally, seeing the brothers. Mary who saw the resurrected Lord, her life has also been renewed. Began to have the ability to obey the Lord, obey the Lord’s commands, and obey the Lord’s instructions. The Lord told her to go to his brothers and tell them everything she had experienced. Mary is the first person to witness the Lord’s resurrection, and bear that wonderful testimony to the Lord!
Conclusion
Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus is resurrected! What does it mean to you? Indifferent? Dispensable? Or is it the earth-shaking change in your life?
Let us pray……
