John 20
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Without the resurrection, Christianity would be the most lame hobby
Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
V1 - 10 // The Stone is Rolled
Mary visits the tomb of where Jesus died and sees that the stone had been taken from the tomb. She goes back and tells them.
John and Peter hear of this news and John runs faster. (Verse 5)
Jesus’ clothes are folded up neatly. Not some mummy sort of creepy things
Once John saw this, He believed
9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
V11-18 // Jesus Shows Himself first to Mary
Read verses 1-11
Often times, the Bible gets a reputation of being sexist. Back 2000 years ago, no one had a say. Women couldn’t even have a voice and did not count as people. The bible was breaking that norm and actually showcasing women to be just as important. But no Jesus appeared to Mary first
This also shows how the bible is valid and not made up. If the resurrection story was made up, they should have used a man. If women’s opinions meant nothing, why use a women to say they saw Jesus first? Because the bible is true, it does not need to lie.
V19-23 // Jesus showing Himself to the Disciples
Read verses 19-23
He reveals Himself now to the disciples while the doors were still locked.
Peace be with you is said in verse 19 and verse 21.
David Guzik stats this:
Peace to you! Jesus just gave them the blessing of His peace (John 20:19). Perhaps the emphasis there was to calm their fear and shock at the moment (Luke 24:36). The repetition of this promise makes this gift of peace much larger and more significant. The resurrected Jesus brings peace.
My sins are forgiven – peace.
The slavery to sin is broken – peace.
My Savior takes my fears and cares – peace.
My life is settled for eternity – peace.
I will get back to verses 21-23 at the
V24-29 // Jesus shows Himself to Thomas
Thomas was not there for the first showing for Mary and the Disciples, so when they are all saying they see the Lord, Thomas doesn’t believe. (read verses 24-26)
But then he sees Him and then finally believes. But blessed are those who don’t see and believe. Read verses (26-29)
I think we fall into this trap. We fall into this idea that we need something to happen to us first. I need to feel different, I need to see God in order for this to happen. No explosion will happen, but your spirit will change. I tell you that if today or this weekend is the first time you truly believe that Jesus is real, that He is the son of God, and you say that with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and He died and raised from the dead to save your sins. Congratulations, you have received the Holy Spirit.
Spoiler alert, you won’t feel much different. But the world should start to change. Your thoughts are now different, what you use to do that was wrong, convicts you. You should start to want to be more like Jesus. You should want to pray more and know God more.
There is a difference between wanting and doing as we often for a while can want two things that are totally opposite. But believing in God does change your life as you now life for a different purpose.
V30-31 // Why this book was written
Read verses 30 and 31
In the four gospels we have 37 miracles recorded, but Jesus did more.
The whole point of this book is that you don’t need to see Jesus in person. You have the word of God, you have what has happened. This book to this day cannot be disproven. This book is truly the word of God and you have it on your phones!
The purpose of this book was written so that you would know the truth. Not just understand it, grasp it, process it, but believe it in your heart so that you would not live for Jesus. But you don’t do this alone.
Read verses 21-23 John 20:21-23
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
The father sent Jesus to do what?
Jesus has sent you to do the same.
You do not do this alone, you have the Holy Spirit.
When you have the Holy Spirit and know what the power of God has done on the cross, you can say when someone confesses their sins to Jesus, their sins are forgiven. Not because any power in you but because the power of the Holy Spirit. Forgiving their sins points back to what Jesus did on the cross.
This is our charge, we are now sent into the world.
My closing question to you, keep your eyes closed:
Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God and has saved you from your sins?
Keep your hands up if that was a recent decision.
So if you truly believe that Jesus is the son of God live like and for Jesus.
My Journal question for you:
Knowing Jesus would die for you because He loved you, does that make you feel?
How can you live for Jesus when you get back from this weekend?
