Untitled Sermon (16)

The Gospel according to John (King James Version) Division XVI: The Revelation of Jesus, the Risen Lord, 20:1–21:25

THE REVELATION OF JESUS, THE RISEN LORD, 20:1–21:25

CHAPTER 20

XVI. THE REVELATION OF JESUS, THE RISEN LORD, 20:1–21:25

A. Event 1: The Great Discovery—the Empty Tomb, 20:1–10

1. Mary’s unquestioning discovery: The unsealed tombDS1

a. She visited early

b. She saw the stone rolled back

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.

c. She ran to Peter

d. She revealed an unquestioning love: “They have taken the Lord”

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.

2. Peter & John’s shocking discovery: The wrappings were lying undisturbed

3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

a. They ran to the tomb

4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

b. John glanced in: Saw the linen wrappings lying undisturbed

5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.

c. Peter entered

1) Saw the linen wrapping lying undisturbed—as if Christ’s body had evaporated

2) Saw the head wrapping still folded

6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,

7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

3. John’s thoughtful discovery

a. Saw the linen undisturbed, in its body-like fold

b. Believed immediately

8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.

c. Finally understood the Scripture: Until then, they had not understood

9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

A. Event 1: The Great Discovery—the Empty Tomb, 20:1–10

(20:1–10) Introduction—Resurrection, Evidence of: in studying John’s account, it must be remembered that John was writing an historical account. He was not interested in giving insurmountable evidence for the resurrection. His interest was twofold: (1) to give the evidence that led him to immediately understand and believe, and (2) to give enough evidence to lead anyone to immediate belief—if a person is willing to believe. He was interested in giving enough evidence to make anyone’s faith viable and respectable. Now having said this, John’s record of Jesus’ resurrection is a strong historical account of the event. To an honest, objective, and good heart, the evidence is convincing (Lu. 8:15).

1. The fact that morality is the point of John’s gospel eliminates any possibility of his fabricating a lie, especially a lie of such immoral proportions.

2. The description of so many little details, details that are so human, says that the phenomenal event is an event that actually took place. Such human-like details could never be built around an event whose main point was a fable. For instance, Peter and John’s running and John’s outrunning Peter; Mary’s human response of frantic bewilderment; the young author’s fearing and hesitating to enter a tomb; the author’s believing without physical fact and admitting that his belief was not based upon an understanding of Scripture. There are, of course, many other examples that point to the event actually taking place.

3. The head wrapping is strong evidence for the resurrection. Only the head piece is actually said “to be still in its fold.” The other pieces are assumed “to be still in their fold” because of the phrase “not lying with the linen clothes.” Although the phrase substantially supports the assumption, it is only an assumption. The point is this: if John or any other author were fabricating a case for such a phenomenal event as the resurrection, He would state explicitly that the body wrappings along with the head wrappings were “still in their fold”—building evidence upon evidence.

4. The changed lives of the Lord’s disciples are indisputable evidence. It is psychological evidence. From seemingly irreversible despondency and from being hunted down like insurrectionist dogs, they became new creatures of enthusiasm and motivation. They were propelled by a dynamic power and bold courage. Within thirty days they were seen proclaiming a risen Christ from the very spot where their lives were being threatened. They were preaching to the very people who were seeking to arrest and execute them. Only one thing could cause them to adopt this strategy: the Lord had indeed risen, and He had implanted within them a dynamic new power never before experienced by man.

In discussing evidences, we must remember that God through inspiration has not formulated the Scripture to prove anything. God proclaims in Scripture that He is (exists), that He is love, and that He has shown His love supremely by sending His own Son to save a lost and dying world. What God wants from us is love and belief, love for the Lord Jesus and belief in the supreme power of a loving God. This is just the point of the resurrection account. We are to believe because we love even as Mary and John loved. (See note 2—Mt. 28:1; Jn. 20:7–10; see He. 11:6; 1 Jn. 3:23.)

1. Mary’s unquestioning discovery: the unsealed tomb (vv.1–2).

2. Peter and John’s shocking discovery: the wrappings were lying undisturbed (vv.3–6).

3. John’s thoughtful discovery (vv.7–10).

1 (20:1–2) Mary Magdalene: Mary’s unquestioning discovery, the unsealed tomb. Note four facts.

a. Mary visited the tomb early when it was still dark. Matthew actually says it was “the end of the sabbath,” meaning between 3–6 a.m. (Mt. 28:1). This reveals three significant facts.

1) Jesus arose before dawn, before the sun arose on Sunday morning. This was significant to the early Christian believers, so significant that they broke away from the common division of the week which began with the Sabbath or Saturday. They began to count their days beginning with Sunday, the day of the resurrection of their Lord (see Ac. 20:7; 1 Co. 16:2).

2) Jesus arose on the first day of the week, on Sunday morning. This means that He had been in the grave for three days just as He had said (Mt. 12:40; 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; Mk. 9:31; 10:34; Lu. 9:22; 18:33; 24:7, 46). His arising from the dead was a triumph, a conquest over death. Death reigns no more. Its rule has been broken (1 Co. 15:55–56; 2 Co. 1:9–10; 2 Ti. 1:10; He. 2:9, 14–15).

3) Again, Jesus arose on the first day of the week, Sunday morning. He was in the grave on the Sabbath, unable to observe the laws governing the great season of the Passover and the Sabbath. He was dead to the law and its observances. This is symbolic of the identification believers gain in Christ. In Christ’s death believers become dead to the law (see note—Ro. 7:4; Mt. 5:17–18).

b. Mary saw the stone rolled back from the tomb (see DEEPER STUDY # 1—Jn. 20:1 for discussion).

Thought 1. This is strong evidence for the resurrection. The stone was not rolled back for the benefit of Christ, but for the witnesses to the resurrection. When Christ arose, He was in His resurrection body, the spiritual body of the spiritual dimension which has no physical bounds. He did not need the stone rolled back to leave the tomb, for material substance has no bearing on spiritual substance. However, the witnesses needed to enter the tomb to see the truth (see outline and notes—Jn. 10:1–10).

c. Mary ran to Peter. This is important, for it shows that Peter was still the accepted leader. What a man of courageous stature and moral strength! Surely his cowardice had been broadcast and well-rumored, yet he repented and picked himself up to resume his task.

d. Mary revealed an unquestioning love: “They have taken away the Lord.” Mary is a supreme example of one who loves and believes, although she did not understand. She was one of the last to leave Jesus at the cross (see Mk. 15:40, 47); one of the first to attend the tomb; and one who still called Him “Lord.” Her belief was a belief of love—not a belief based upon intellect or understanding. She knew what Jesus had done for her, and she loved Him for it. Jesus was her Lord, dead or alive (see Jn. 20:13f).

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love” (Jn. 15:9).

“Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (Jn. 20:29).

“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity” (Ep. 6:24).

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pe. 1:8).

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 21).

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (De. 6:5).

DEEPER STUDY # 1

(20:1) Tomb: In Jesus’ day tombs were closed by rolling a huge cartwheel-like stone in front of the entrance. They were almost impossible to remove. A deep slanting groove was hewn out of the rock at the base of the entrance for the circular stone to rest in. The stone usually weighed several tons. Such precautions were essential because there were so many tombs ransacked in those days of poverty.

The tomb was further secured by being sealed. When it was necessary to seal a tomb, the huge stone was cemented to the entrance walls or else some type of rope or binding was wrapped around the entrance stone and fastened to both sides of the tomb. Then the binding was cemented with a hardening clay or wax-like substance. In the case of some burials, usually political figures, the seal of the Emperor was also attached to the walls of the entrance. This was to strike fear of Roman retaliation against any intruder. (See Mt. 27:66.)

In the case of Jesus’ tomb, further precautions were taken by placing a patrol to guard against any foul play. This guard consisted of a large number of men (Mt. 28:4, 11f).

2 (20:3–6) Jesus Christ, Resurrection of: Peter and John’s shocking discovery. They discovered the empty tomb and the linen clothes. They “went forth” to the tomb. John outran Peter. When John arrived at the tomb, he just glanced in and noticed the linen clothes. Peter actually entered the tomb. He, too, noticed the linen clothes. They both knew the significance. If the body had been removed by the authorities or stolen by someone, the linen clothes would have been taken with the body or left in a disheveled mess, thrown someplace on the floor. From the description and the impact of the event upon the two disciples, neither one discussed his thoughts with the other, not while standing there at that time.

Thought 1. Note a critical point. If a man wishes to discover the empty tomb, he must get up and “go forth” to look at it. He must investigate, and then he will see. Getting up and “going forth” is the only way a man can ever discover the risen Lord. Resting in the comforts and lethargy of this world will never help a man find Jesus.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (Jn. 5:39).

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Ac. 17:11).

“For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ” (Ac. 18:28).

“[The gospel] which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures, concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Ro. 1:2–4).

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Ro. 13:11–12).

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Co. 15:3–4).

“And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (He. 6:11–12).

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness” (2 Pe. 3:17).

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ec. 9:10).

3 (20:7–10) Resurrection—John—Linen Clothes: John’s thoughtful discovery. He discovered the undisturbed linen clothes. Note two significant points.

a. Note the linen clothes. Standing outside while Peter was inside the tomb, John’s mind was apparently whirling, pondering, wondering, and thinking. Then suddenly it dawned upon him: the linen clothes were lying undisturbed. The Greek word wrapped together (entetuligmenon) is the verb which is used for actually winding the linens around a body for burial. The Greek word is saying that the linens were “still in their fold,” wrapped just like they would be wrapped around a body—as if the body had just evaporated. They were not disheveled or disarranged. This says at least four things.

1). It would be impossible to extract a body from its wrappings and leave them in such good order.

2) The wrappings would have been taken with the body if the body had been removed.

3) The wrappings would have been disheveled and disarranged and scattered if thieves had ransacked the tomb.

4) The wrappings (under any circumstances that might be conceived in removing the body) could never be placed in the exact spot on the rock slab where the body lay. Yet, this is just how they were lying according to the Greek text. It was this that led John to an immediate belief.

b. Note John’s immediate belief. John did not believe because of insurmountable evidence but because he loved Jesus. Seeing the linen clothes penetrated John’s mind, and he remembered Jesus’ prophecy that He would arise. John realized what had happened and he believed.

This is the point of this account of the linen clothes and of the way the account is recorded. This is also the point of the resurrection account. A loving God wants love—a heart full of love. He wants a person to simply believe that God is (exists) and that God is a rewarder of them that love Him (He. 11:6).

“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” (He. 11:6).

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (Jn. 3:16–17).

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn. 3:16).

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (1 Jn. 4:16).

“We love him, because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).

B. Event 2: The Great Recognition—Jesus Appears to Mary, 20:11–18

Mt. 28:1–15; Mk. 16:1–11; Lu. 24:1–49

1. Mary returned to the tomb

a. Weeping convulsively

b. Stooping, she looked in

11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

2. The first startling sight: Two angels

12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

a. The question of the angels: Why are you weeping?

b. Mary’s loving devotion & confession: “My Lord” has been taken

13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

3. The second startling sight: Jesus Himself

a. Mary’s sense of another person—turned to see

14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

b. A startling question: Why weep? Who are you seeking?

c. A false identity

1) Because of her tears

2) Because she faced in the wrong direction—into the grave

15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

d. The great recognition

16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

4. The third startling sight: The new commission

a. Do not cling to me

b. Go—tell your great discovery

17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

5. The fourth startling sight: Mary Magdalene, a woman converted from demon possession, was the first to bear witness to Jesus’ resurrection, Lu. 8:2

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

B. Event 2: The Great Recognition—Jesus Appears to Mary, 20:11–18

(20:11–18) Introduction: this is one of the most precious events in history. It was our Lord’s first appearance after His resurrection; it was an appearance to a woman who had been saved from the depths of human depravity. It was the appearance to Mary Magdalene, one who loved Jesus with the deepest of loves because of what He had done for her.

1. Mary returned to the tomb (v.11).

2. The first startling sight: two angels (vv.12–13).

3. The second startling sight: Jesus Himself (vv.14–16).

4. The third startling sight: the new commission (vv.17–18).

1 (20:11) Jesus Christ, Resurrection—Mary Magdalene: Mary returned to the tomb. Just when is not known, but she probably followed immediately behind Peter and John as they ran to the tomb. When they left, she remained behind. She was weeping convulsively. Seeing Peter and John enter the tomb gave her courage to finally stoop down and look in. What Mary began to experience would revolutionize her life. She could not ask for more.

Thought 1. Two things can revolutionize a man’s life.

(1) Lingering at the empty tomb of Jesus. Too many rush by His tomb, never thinking, never giving any thought to its meaning.

(2) Seeking the truth of the empty tomb, what it means to life and to the world in all its corruption and need.

2 (20:12–13) Jesus Christ, Resurrection—Angels: Mary’s first startling sight—she saw two angels. Note two points. (See DEEPER STUDY # 1, Angels—He. 1:4–14.)

a. The two angels were sitting right where Jesus’ body had been lying. Angels are messengers of God; they are the ministering spirits of God, servants sent from heaven to carry out His will. On this particular occasion, they were sent to add to the spectacular significance of the resurrection and to comfort Mary in her grief. They had been sent to her in particular, for they had not been in the tomb when Peter and John looked in. They were clothed in white. Matthew added …

• like lightning (visible, quick, startling, striking, frightening, brilliant)

• like snow (white, pure, glistening)

The fact that they were dressed in white apparently symbolizes the holiness and purity of God from whose presence they had come.

“Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy” (Ps. 99:9).

“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3).

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Hab. 1:13).

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Co. 7:1).

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (He. 12:14).

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pe. 1:16).

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation [behavior] and godliness” (2 Pe. 3:11).

b. Mary’s loving devotion and confession should touch the heart and life of every believer. (See note, Mary Magdalene, pt.4—Jn. 20:1–2 for discussion.)

“For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God” (Jn. 16:27).

“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity” (Ep. 6:24).

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pe. 1:8).

“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 21).

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (De. 6:5).

“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 10:32).

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God” (1 Jn. 4:15).

DEEPER STUDY # 1

(20:12) Jesus Christ, Resurrection—Linen Clothes: the two angels were sitting, one where the head of Jesus had lain and the other where his feet had lain. Now note a question. How did Mary know where the feet and head had lain? There were two possible ways.

1. She was possibly one of the women who had followed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus when they buried Jesus (Lu. 23:55).

2. She could see the linen clothes lying “in their fold” just as they had been when they were wrapped around Jesus (see note—Jn. 20:7–10).

3 (20:14–16) Jesus Christ, Resurrection: the second startling sight. Mary saw Jesus Himself. Note four significant events.

a. There was a startling sense. While Mary was still speaking to the angels, she sensed another presence behind her. She immediately turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.

b. There was a startling question: “Why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?” Now note: a graveyard is where one weeps and seeks for a grave.

The point is this: Mary was seeking a dead Savior, a Savior who was as all other men are, frail and powerless to do anything about life and death, eternity and heaven. Her whole being was focused upon a grave where her dead Savior was lying. Mary was living as the world lives, as a “stranger from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ep. 2:12).

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Th. 4:13).

“O my God, my soul is cast down within me” (Ps. 42:6).

“I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me” (Ps. 69:2).

“When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me” (Ps. 73:16).

“As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all” (Ec. 11:5).

c. There was the false identity. Mary thought the man was the gardener and that perhaps he had removed the body for some reason. Note why she had not yet recognized Jesus.

⇒ Mary’s eyes were full of tears and her head was bowed low in the normal shyness that arises in such scenes.

⇒ Mary was facing in the wrong direction—into the grave. She had turned back around to face where the body had been lying (v.14, see v.16).

Thought 1. There is a message here for everyone. We need to fix our eyes upon Jesus in confronting death. Too often, we see the dead and become so wrapped up in grief that we forget the risen Lord and the great hope He gives us (Jn. 3:16; 5:24; 14:2–3). There is no question about Jesus’ emphasis here. This is the message He was wishing to convey to Mary. There was no need for such convulsive weeping. Weep and grieve, yes, but there is a limit. Mary could have and should have seen Him sooner.

“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it” (Is. 25:8).

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (Jn. 5:24).

“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Co. 15:54).

“[God’s purpose and grace] is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Ti. 1:10).

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Re. 21:4).

d. There was the great recognition. This was one of those dramatic moments that exceeds the ability of words to express. Only two words were spoken:

⇒ “Mary”

⇒ “Rabboni”

Note three points.

1) Mary recognized Jesus not by sight, but by His voice and the word spoken by Him. So it is with us today: we know the Lord by His Word and His Spirit.

“Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice” (Jn. 18:37; see Jn. 17:17).

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Re. 3:20).

“But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit” (1 Co. 6:17).

“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Co. 1:22; see 2 Co. 5:5).

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ep. 2:18; see Ep. 1:13–14).

“Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (1 Jn. 4:13).

2) Jesus called Mary by name; she was one of His sheep. He knows His sheep by name and His sheep know the sound of His voice (His Word).

“And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice” (Jn. 10:4).

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine” (Jn. 10:14).

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd” (Jn. 10:16).

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (Jn. 10:27).

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Re. 3:20).

3) Mary called Jesus “Rabboni,” My Master, not “Rabbi” (Master or Teacher). Rabboni (Rabbounei), My Master, was a title of more respect and honor than just Rabbi. She was acknowledging Him to be her supreme Teacher, the One who was due all her honor and respect, loyalty and allegiance. She was acknowledging that He was her Master and she was His humble follower (disciple).

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Ac. 2:36).

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins” (Ac. 5:31).

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Co. 1:9).

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Co. 8:6).

4 (20:17–18) Commission—Witnessing: the third startling sight was Mary’s new commission. Apparently, Mary was so full of joy and excitement that she reached out to embrace Jesus. Immediately, Jesus fired the command: Touch me not (me mou haptou).

The words are present action: do not cling to me. Mary wanted to revel in her love for the Lord and in the fellowship that that love brought her. She was reaching out to clutch Christ’s body (physically), but in doing so she was missing the point: His cross and resurrection had created a totally new relationship. He was no longer just her Rabboni, her Master. He was her Lord and God (see Jn. 20:28). He was soon to ascend back to the Father, so she must not waste time clinging to Him. She must run and tell her great discovery. The Master was now her Lord and God, for He had created a new spiritual relationship with men.

“Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yea now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Co. 5:16–17).

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Co. 5:19–21).