The Resurrection

The hinge point of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. The resurrection is the authentic foundation for Christianity, for the church, for Sunday worship, for Christian colleges and seminaries, and for the Christian proclamation of the forgiveness of sins. Without the resurrection Christianity would be an empty shell (cf. Paul’s strategic statements in 1 Cor 15:14–19).

Gerald L. Borchert, John 12–21, vol. 25B, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002), 286–288.

Paul emphasizes this also in Corinthians 15. Let’s see what Paul says

1 Corinthians 15:3–8 ESV

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

But then he goes on:

1 Corinthians 15:14 ESV

14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

And he adds:

1 Corinthians 15:17–20 ESV

17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

While the Cross was the climax of the story of John and the climax of human history, the Resurrection is the most essential part of the Gospel story.

Docetism: A teaching that Jesus resurrection was not physical

The Significance of Mary (1-2)

Mary is Greek for Mariam

The first day of the week (Sunday) became the Christian sabbath for this reason

Early in the morning: they did not hesitate, they did not procrastinate

Some gospels say before the Sun came up and other say immediately after but this is easily reconciled by understanding that sunrises happen quickly and while they left in the dark, they arrived in the early morning sunlight.

This is why churches do Sunrise service.

I love sunrise services. Just the time to drive to church has an excitement about it.

Mary and the other women would not have had the same excitement. She did not believe Jesus was risen.

They worried about the stone being removed.

Mark 16:3 ESV

3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”

But when the arrived it had already been rolled away.

If you visit Israel, one place you can go is the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, where tradition holds, is the location of the tomb Jesus was buried in.

Today there is a large church built on the site and history holds that Constantine ordered the building of the church to commemorate and honor the location

This isn’t the only site, there are others, and while we do not know which is the real site, they can offer in site into what the women would be expecting.

The use of women as the first witness would have been a set back to the gospel message

Peter and John’s Confirmation (3-10)

This is one of the main passages that leads us to believe John to be the author of this Gospel

He seems to tell information that only the “other disciple” would know

John got there first, but Peter runs into the tomb

John saw and believed believed

What did John believe?

Most commentaries say that at this point John believed in the resurrection, but v9 seems to counter that

I think this meant John believed Mary’s report.

At this point they believed the body was stolen

Mary’s Adoration (11-1)

Mary weeping: She had a love for Jesus.

He had delivered her from 7 demons

He was important to her, so his death and body disappearing was heartbreaking

The angels were not there before

Peter and John didn’t even see them

Mary’s Eyes Are Opened

Even when Jesus appears to Mary she doesn’t know it’s Him

She doesn’t recognize Him or His voice

When He calls out “Mary” she recognizes Him

Her eyes were opened when He called her.

This is a great picture of our salvation. Until God calls us, we cannot see the savior.

Mary’s reaction is to cling to Jesus

Mary Announced to the Disciples

This news was so important and so exciting that she went back to announced

“I have an announcement”

Everyone stop what your doing and only pay attention to me