Our Love for Christ vs. Our Faith in His Promises
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
This morning I want and throughout the day, I want to draw our attention the empty tomb. I especially want to see the empty tomb through the eyes of one woman who was experienced the entire events of that wonderful Resurrection morning.
The events of that morning can be split into three separate segments according to John’s record in John 20. They are as follows.
First, Mary Magdalene and some of the other ladies are the first to arrive at the tomb with Mary arriving first.
Second, Mary runs back to inform the disciples, particularly Peter and John. They then run to the tomb to see for themselves with Mary coming behind them.
Third, Peter and John return to Jerusalem, but Mary remains behind.
Throughout the day today, I want us to consider Mary, her relationship with Christ, and Christ’s response to her immediately after His resurrection. I believe that we will find quite a few similarities in our relationship with the Lord that is reflected in Mary’s during this entire event.
Here is the first notable thing about Mary and her relationship with Christ.
Mary’s Love for Christ was Unwavering
Mary’s Love for Christ was Unwavering
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.
Over in Matthew’s gospel, we read...
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.
Mark records...
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
Obviously, there were several women who rose up early on that Resurrection morning with the intent of visiting Christ’s tomb. There are several key descriptions given.
First, it was the “first day of the week.” This is important for us as believers. We no longer worship the Lord on the Sabbath, Saturday. Our day of worship is established on the fact that Christ rose again on the “first day of the week” which is Sunday. His resurrection is a fulfillment of God’s New Covenant with men. In that covenant, God promised that He would put His law “in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Christ was the complete fulfillment of that new covenant. Hebrews 8 details the fact that Christ is the fulfillment. Hebrews 12:24
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
For this reason, we are here this morning on the “first day of the week” just as Mary began her journey to the tomb on the first day of the week.
Note also that “it was yet dark.” Now, think about it. Jerusalem is filled with all kinds of people from all across Asia for it was the time of the Passover. We know from Matthew’s account that a great earthquake had just shook the entire city most likely causing damage to a number of places. Yet, here is Mary Magdalene and these other women trekking through the city risking their own safety so that they might visit Christ’s tomb. We also know what they expected to find when they arrived. They expected Romans soldiers to be guarding His tomb. If you know anything about the Romans army and its warriors, they were brutal men with no regard for anyone or anything. Yet, here are these ladies so determined to visit Christ’s grave they did not care about their circumstances or who would stand in their way. In fact, they did not even ask or invite any men to accompany them. What drew them there? What thing overwhelmed them so that would risk such a journey amidst dangerous circumstances? Was it not their love for the Lord?
Before I go any further, I want to draw your attention to Mary Magdalene only. Yes, there were others. However, May Magdalen takes center stage in John’s account. What was so special or different about Mary?
We find out about her past in Luke 8:1-3
1 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,
2 And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Mary was woman who knew and understood bondage. In fact, as Scripture notes, before meeting Christ, she was under the control of seven different demons. As you can imagine, her life was absolute mess. Much of what we know and understand about demon possession in Scripture is that people under their control were considered mentally insane. One of the great pictures of such control is the man who was possessed living in a graveyard. It is quite possible that Mary was giving moment of violent epilepsy as these demons wracked havoc with her body. She was woman conflicted having no peace. Self control was out of her control. Her entire life was absolute wreck. It was wreck that is until she met Jesus.
Note in Luke that she “had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities.” There came a day when she encountered the compassionate and might Healer. No doubt, at His command, all seven demons were sent running. And, in that moment, peace, sanity, and health returned to this woman who had lived so long under great torment and torture of Satan’s minions.If there was anyone who knew the deliverance that only Christ can bring, it was Mary of Magdala.
Thus, it is no wonder that she was the first to arrive at His tomb that morning. Her love for the Savior was incredible.
Here is an interesting thought! It is often those who have the clearest understanding of how truly deserving they are of hell and whose hearts have experienced God’s amazing grace that often become the most devoted to Christ. Mary was epitome of such a person. Her love for Christ was absolute unwavering as evidenced by her actions that first Easter morning.
Now, as she and the others arrive (I believe the Mary was the first to arrive), they find something unexpected.
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.
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.
They came expecting to find Romans soldier guarding the tomb. They came expecting to find a great big stone covering the entrance to the tomb. They came wondering how they were going to access His tomb so that they might anoint Him with spices. Yet, when they arrived, they were amazed to see the stone taken away. There were no soldiers standing guard. There was no stone. There was just an empty tomb.
Note now Mary’s reaction as recorded in our text.
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.
Here is my next point and I will elaborate.
Mary’s Faith in His Promises was Unimpressive
Mary’s Faith in His Promises was Unimpressive
It is quite apparent that Mary was taken by surprise the tomb was empty. Her first reaction is to go tell Peter and the disciples. She runs all the way back into the city. She finds Peter and John. Now note carefully what she says to them.
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.
There is no doubt Mary’s love for the Lord. However, in this moment, her faith did not match her love.
WE MUST NEVER CONFUSE FAITH AND LOVE!
Over in 1 Corinthians 13, we find that there is quite a distinction between faith, hope, and love.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
In a couple of weeks, we will be exploring this verse more. However, note that faith, hope, and love are three different things. Mary’s actions demonstrated this fact beautifully. Yes, her love for Christ as great. There is no questioning her love. Her faith, however, was not on par.
Here was Mary’s biggest problem. She was living by sight, and not by faith.
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Think about it! Mary arrived at the tomb. What did she find? She found it empty. Immediately, she jumped to her own conclusions. What was her conclusion? Someone has stolen Christ’s body and moved to it somewhere else.
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.
There is nothing to suggest that even for a moment did she entertain the fact that He was alive and resurrected.
Now, before we go pointing fingers, let’s explore the fact that we are very much like Mary.
We often mingle spiritual intelligence with spiritual ignorance.
What do I mean by that? Mary, like the disciples and the other women, either forgot or chose to ignore the fact that Christ repeatedly promised that He would rise again on the third day.
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Christ told them many times that He was going to die and, afterwards, be resurrected. Even those who were not His disciples understood His message. Thus, we know the these women along with His disciples, knew what He taught and prophesied. In fact, they themselves saw Him raise people from the dead. Yet, in this moment, their faith diminished.
Over Romans we learn this.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Too man times, we rely upon what we know instead of relying upon what God promises. We choose to utilize our own common sense or understanding instead of just accepting the impossibilities of God’s Word. Mary’s reaction to the empty tomb is typical of so many people. We look at the tomb and we think, “Yes, it is empty. Someone must have moved Him. There is no way that He could have resurrected Himself for no man has ever accomplished such a feat!” We remove the fact that He is God. We deny the possibility of what God can do. Instead, we focus on what we see and experience using it as the foundation of what we believe. It is where we so often go wrong.
There are many who know the Word of God. Scripture tells us that Satan and his minions know it better than most people. Yet, knowing God’s Word and believing God’s Word are two very different things. You can read the bible through two or three times in a year. You can memorize large portions of it and quote it word for word. However, it means nothing if you do not live by it and believe its promises.
Mar stared into the empty tomb. Christ’s resurrection was there for her to believer. But, instead, she reverted to her own understanding and she did not entertain the thought that He was alive. In the worship service, we are going to explore this more as we see her interaction with Christ as He reveals Himself to her. For now, our focus is on her faith which was quite unimpressive.
Yet, I am reminded that my faith is quite unimpressive as well. I cannot point finger at her.
Here is a truly sobering thought!
Mary’s love for the Lord was great. There is no doubt. She journeyed to His tomb risking her own security and safety just be where He lay. However, her faith did not match her love.
I wonder how many of us fall into that same category this morning. We are all here early this morning expressing our love for Christ. We came sacrificing the comfort of sleeping in or doing something else. All of which speaks to a testimony of loving Christ. Yet, what about our faith? Are we singing how much we love Christ, but, in our daily life, we are not trusting in His promises? Are mouthing the words, but not living a true life of faith?
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
It is impossible to please the Lord without faith. You can have all the love for the Lord there is, but if there is no faith, He is not pleased. Remember 1 Corinthians 13:13
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Love is the greatest. We will learn more about that in a couple of weeks. Yet, there are three characteristics noted of a true believer in this verse. They are faith, hope, and love. Faith is a key ingredient. It is by our faith that we please the Lord. The word “impossible” means totally incapable of occuring or existing. Thus, our ability to please the Lord cannot happen without faith. In fact, Hebrews 11:6 spells out two crucial facts about God that we must believe in faith. We must believe that He is God. We must believe that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Mary’s faith was unimpressive because she did not heed Christ’s Words concerning His resurrection. In that moment, the possibility that He was alive was not found in her thoughts or her actions. Her only thought was someone stole His body and moved Him. She said such things to the disciples.