John 20:1-9

John 20:1-9  Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and 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 disciple started for the tomb.  Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.  Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb.  He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head.  The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen.  Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside.  He saw and believed.  (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Today's verses show that Jesus' closest friends and followers did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.  They lacked spiritual eyes to see what was in front of them, just as they did not comprehend fully the words and works of Jesus when He walked and talked with them, teaching and instructing them in God's truth, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies of the promised Messiah.  We have seen this throughout our study of John.  The gospel writers share numerous instances where a lack of faith or actual unbelief in the disciples' hearts kept them from recognizing Christ for who He was.  Jesus fed the 5000 with five loaves and two fishes; afterwards, they picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish; yet when Jesus sent the disciples ahead of him in a boat and a storm rose up, they reacted as fearful children.  When Jesus came walking toward them on the water, first the disciples exhibited terror, thinking he was a ghost; finally, when the winds obeyed his commands, they were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.  (See Mark 6:41-52)  In Matthew's account, Peter is brave enough to say, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  But after getting out of the boat and taking steps toward Jesus' outstretched hand, when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”  (See Matthew 14:22-28)  Even though Jesus clearly said He would rise again, we see his beloved companions astonished that the dead body of Jesus had disappeared from the tomb. 

On several occasions, Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  He understood humans could not understand spiritual realities but needed their natural ears opened by the Holy Spirit to his words of life.  The Holy Spirit had not come yet to dwell within them, giving them spiritual discernment of the truth of his message.  As Jesus had said: When the Counselor [the Holy Spirit] comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.  They had been in the presence of God's Son, but they still did not understand.  Jesus had to go away to send the Holy Spirit.  He explained, "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away.  Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."  (John 15:26 &16:7)   After the resurrection, Jesus would reveal himself to many.  When the Holy Spirit brought Christ's words to their remembrance, they would realize a phenomenon beyond their wildest imagination: they would begin to understand the riches of their inheritance and the provisions represented by that empty tomb.  The reality that the Jesus who had walked among them, that the One they saw suffer and die upon the cross, was raised incorruptible by the Spirit of God as Lord and Savior of all would change their lives.  The good news He lived and died and rose again for all mankind would soon become the centerpiece of the gospel message.  Messiah had come to bring God's grace covenant to a fallen creation.  This good news spread across the known world, bringing restoration, healing, hope, and redemption to all who trusted in the shed blood of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

We must realize Jesus' death created temporary turmoil for people who gave up all to follow him.  They had faced ridicule, persecution, and alienation from family and friends for their allegiance to this insignificant Jesus of Nazareth.  Unbelievers viewed him at best as a false prophet, conjuring miracles; at worst as a deceiver, calling himself God.  Truly his chosen ones did not expect their Master to die the shameful death of a criminal, not the Jesus who healed the sick and raised the dead, not the Jesus who showed compassion on outcasts and sinners, not the Jesus they hoped would establish a new kingdom.  Surely He would deliver the people suffering under the powerful Roman Empire and a corrupt religious system.  They had heard Jesus speak of freedom and utter harsh words toward the religious elite: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed."  "

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.  You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to." 

 (Luke 4:18 & Matthew 23:13)  Where was this Jesus they had chosen to follow? 

However, when they met the risen Lord and received the power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they went forth as a mighty army of the Lord, building a foundation of faith for us, often at the cost of their lives.  They carried the cross of Jesus that we might know Christ did not shed his blood for us to spend the majority of our time and resources pleasing ourselves by building our own kingdoms on things that do not last, satisfying our selfish desires.  He came to save lost sheep without a Shepherd, saying, I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. . .My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  (John 10:9-11 & 27-28)  Christ's sheep see and believe; they listen and obey; they spread the good news and never die!  

Note:  Sorry the kitchen has been closed so often and open so rarely.  Mom's second eye surgery Nov. 1st resulted in a focussing problem--new glasses this week have made a big difference for her.  We are praising the Lord for notable improvement in her speech and balance--remarkable answers to prayer.  However, worsening health complications with other lupus issues required seeing new specialists, trying new meds, and undergoing tests.  We are still awaiting some of those results and appreciate your prayer support.  We find the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.  We walk by faith and not by sight because faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.  We are blessed!