John 20:1-18- Because He Exists: "Why are you Weeping? Whom are you Seeking?"

Intro:

Quick update to John and his writing

This is John’s personal testimony of how he came to personal faith in the Resurrection of Jesus. It is one thing to believe that He died, which he did, but another to believe that he resurrected from the grave and is alive today reunited with God the Father.

I would love for all of us to leave today with the same words as Mary, “I have seen the Lord”! Maybe not physically, but none the less transformative

Outline:

The Darkness of Disappointment: “They Have taken the Lord” (vs. 1-10)

A Desireable Destination: “I am Ascending to My Father and Your Father” (vs. 11-18)

Summary: The Darkness of Disspaointment is only truly pierced by the presence of Jesus and the hope of being with God.

Prayer:

The Darkness of Disappointment: “They Have Taken THE Lord” (vs. 1-10)

The Disappointment (vs. 1-2)

Now on the first day of the week- Sunday, notice, not “3 days after the crucifiction”.

Mary Madgalene came to the tomb early

Not the mother of Jesus

The one that Jesus delievered from her bondage to Satan (7 demons)

While it was still dark- John uses a light/darkness motif in his writing. Physical darkness symbolizing spiritual and intellectual darkness

She had come to “finish the job”- Mark 16:1-2 tell us that she was not alone and that they brought spices to annoint Jesus.

This would have made her “unclean”, but that is a small price to pay for the man who reached out to her when no one else would and cast out her demons.

and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb

So she ran and went to

Simon Peter

and the other disciple

The one whom Jesus loved- John, the one writing the account

And said to them

“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid him”- this is the worst thing, someone stole or desecrated the body of Jesus!

who are the “They”?

Who are the “we”? she was not alone in going to the tomb? or is this a greek/aramaic mode of speech that does not mean it is plural. From other passages in Mark 16 and Luke 24, Matt 28, that she is not alone

The Dash (vs. 3-5)

So Peter went out with the other disciple

and they were going to the tomb

both of them were running together

but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first

and stooping to look in

he saw the linen cloths lying there

but did not go in- Wait a minute, why did he not go in? Maybe he did not not want to be defiled? Maybe He was afraid that someone was still in there? John is one of the youngest disciples, maybe he waited out of respect for Peter?

The Discovery (vs. 6-10)

Then Simon Peter came

following him

and went into the tomb- no hesitation, he just barges in! This is consistent with his character.

he saw the linen cloths lying there

and the face cloth

which had been on Jesus head

not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself

this is not the evidence of a robbery or desecration

Then the other disciple

who had reached the tomb first

also went in

and he saw and believed- This is the common theme of the book, John 20:31 “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” But what did they believe?...

For as yet they did not understand the Scripture

that he must rise from the dead-

then the disciples went back to their homes

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 20:3–9

The tomb was open not to let Jesus’ body out but to let the disciples and the world see that He rose.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verse or wording would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

In what ways am I disappointed with Jesus? What circumstances in my life have led darkness around my understanding of Jesus

When was the last time I found it hard to find Jesus?

What am I waiting to discover before I will understand and believe God’s Word about who Jesus is and why that matters?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Sometimes, what we see in the dark is not the reality in the light

Mary went and told 2 people about the concern of her heart, who are two people you can talk to about the concerns of your heart today?

In just a few minutes we will all be going back to our homes or the homes of a loved one. What will you be believing about Jesus that maybe was not as clear as when you first came?

Transitional phrase: In the darkness of disappointment we all run to people we think will help us make sense of what is going on. But what destination are we all hoping for and how will we know when we find it?

A Desirable Destination: “I am Ascending to my Father and Your Father” (vs. 11-18)

Down Cast Heart (vs. 11-12)

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb- she has come and gone and returned to the same spot- doesn’t that sound like the cycle of sorrow? Who we go to matters, who we look to matters even more.

As she wept she stooped to look into the tomb- don’t ever be ashamed to look for Jesus through tear streamed eyes

She saw

two angels in white

sitting where the body of Jesus had lain

one at the head and one at the feet

Dialogue (vs. 13-15)

They said to her

“Woman, why are you weeping?”- this is more of a gentle reproof than seeking information.

She said to them

They have taken away my Lord

and I do not know where they have laid him- the assumption here is the Jesus is still dead, unable to do anything but disappoint even in his death.

Having said this

she turned around and saw Jesus standing- what a great definition of repentance, she turned from looking in an empty grave of dissapointment to see the saviour! But wait, the bells are not going off quite yet.

But she did not know that it was Jesus- how would she not know that it is Jesus? Clouded by disappointent, darkness of the morning, fog of tear stained eyes.

Jesus said to her

Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”- the greatest counsellor who knows the hearts and intentions of the heart asks two questions meant to penetrate the darkness of disappointment.

Supposing him to be the gardener

she said

Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him and I will take him away- I will do what he cannot.

The Discovery (vs. 16-18)

Jesus said to her- “Mary”

She turned and said to him- “Rabboni!” (which means teacher)

Then Jesus said to her

do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father

But go to my brothers and say to them

I am ascending to my Father and your Father

to my God and your God

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples

I have seen the Lord” and that he had said these things to her.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verse or wording would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

Seeing the empty tomb provoked two very different responses, the first was belief, the second was sorrow. Which one do you find yourself closer to today?

When it comes to the difficulties and disappointments in my life am I standing outside of Jesus on your own, stooping to inquire about were Jesus is, or seeing the hope that is mine through Jesus?

“Why are you weeping, whom are you seeking”? What are the disappointments in my life today? Who am I seeking? What is the destination that I feel so far from?

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

I hope you were taking notes here. Not because I think I am a great speaker but because the Word of God just showed us how we can help those around us do from a downcast heart to discovering hope by asking questions that engage the heart. We need to do that for one another this week.

Is Jesus calling you by name this morning? Out of your disappointment, out of the darkness, seeking a dialogue with you about your heart, about what is impacting you, about your doubts, about your fears, about

Because God the Father exists we have a different destination than the disappointment of a dark tomb. Whom are you seeking that will lead you to that destiniation?

Transitional phrase: Without the work of God the Father to resurrect Jesus, we would have not hope. We ended Friday with darkness (Candles) But Sunday offers the light of hope to the darknest of places. How is one way the resurrection of Jesus is giving you hope today? LISTEN TO ANSWERS

Summary:

Song: The Old Rugged Cross

Benediction/Looking ahead:

Discussion questions

Worship- Renew the Mind (Scripture)

1. What passage of Scripture did we look at? Summarize it in your own words.

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

Grow- Engage the Heart (Conversation)

1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

Serve- Enlist the Body (Action)

?

?

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