He Lives! Even the Cross Cannot Defeat Him!

Resurrection John 20:1-31

Empty Tomb John 20:1-3

When Mary finds the tomb empty and races back to tell John and Peter they do not believe her. This is significant as the people of the time did not put much stock into what women said.

The Apostles don’t believe yet John20:4-10

Peter and John did not believe Mary when she told them the tomb was empty, and when they saw the empty tomb they still did not understand. It wasn’t until Jesus appeared to them they believed. Note the discarded grave clothes and the folded linen face cloth signifying both the return of Jesus and His conquering of death.

Jesus appears before Mary Magdalene first John 20:11-18

One evidence of the truth of the Gospel is the first person to witness the resurrected Jesus. Because women were practically second class citizens in this time, nobody listened to them when they spoke. The fact that Jesus first appeared before a women gives the Gospel an undeniable element of truth.

Jesus appears to the apostles John 20:19-23

Huddled in fear and doubt, the apostles still didn’t believe in the resurrection. Finally, Jesus appeared before them and they believed. It is at this point Jesus gives them the Great Commission.

Jesus and doubting Thomas John 20:24-29

It took Jesus appearing before him and showing him the holes in his hands and side before Thomas would believe. I wonder how many doubting Thomas’ are in Hell right now.