From Tears of Pain to a Heart of Joy

Mark A Green

Seeing Jesus Through the Eyes of a Friend • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

John 20:11–18

Jesus’ resurrection

Mary (Magdalene)

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Mary is the first to see the resurrected Lord.

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Soul Soaking Notes From Text

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Introduction

Greet everyone (be in front of the pulpit)

I stopped home for Lunch a few days ago and while I was eating the News was on the TV. There was a young man on the television, Christopher Watts, pleading for the return of his pregnant wife, Shannon and two beautiful little girls, Celeste (3) and Bella (4). There was no trace of them and she had left her car, cell phone, keys, etc. in their home. He seemed like a genuine kind of person, but (I think I’m getting cynical in my old age) my first thought as I listened to him speak was that he did it. He was guilty. I rebuked myself and said, “why are you so negative”? I finished my lunch and got back to work. Friday morning I read on the news that they arrested this guy as a suspect for the murder of his pregnant wife and two precious daughters. In fact, he admitted to the horrific act! They found the bodies in an oil field where this guy was once employed. What?! How?! Why?!

We live in a sin cursed world FULL of suffering! There is no escaping this reality. We try and avoid it, numb it, run from it, but the hard, harsh reality is we live in a world of suffering, pain and hopelessness. Wow!

Folks, if the Atheistic, evolutionary worldview is correct, then the best we have is this life and that is it, period.

But there is another worldview. A far superior worldview! A biblical worldview that recognizes the suffering of this life but, in turn, gives us a remedy for that suffering!

That remedy is the resurrection of Jesus Christ! And that remedy leads to joy!

Main Textual Idea:

Main Idea: The Resurrection Wipes Away the Tears of Today

How is this possible? How can the one act of the resurrection of Jesus reorient our sorrow into joy? You might be here this morning and are so discouraged that you don’t know what to do or where to turn...

Well, turn with me to this story found in John’s gospel and see the difference the resurrection makes. You might even find yourself, not only no longer discouraged, but pursuing a new purpose that will change the lives of many!

There are two truths I need you to see from the text this morning...

1. The Harsh Realities of Life Will Cause You to Weep (vs. 11-15)

Lead in…It’s not a might, it’s not a maybe, life will inevitably bring you pain and tears. It’s just the way it is. Certainly there are minor irritations and frustrations that will steal your joy and cause you to be inconvenienced and sad. After all, as the old saying goes, “Into every life a little rain must fall.”

But, please understand, there will be times when life crushes in so hard and with so much force that it is utterly devastating. When it is hard to breath. When your eyes are so full of tears you can no longer see clearly. When everything seems utterly hopeless!

Have you experienced this kind of trouble? This kind of grief and pain? Well, Mary Magdalene did and John is sure to tell us all about her debilitating grief! Look at the text...

John 20:11–15 ESV

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

If you remember, Mary was the first one to see the tomb had been opened. And instead of waiting for the other ladies that were traveling with her to finish preparing His body for decay, she immediately turned and ran to get Peter and John.

Peter and John raced back to the tomb. And as we saw last time, John actually believed that Jesus was resurrected. He and Peter then left Mary at the tomb and ran back to Bethany. Mary, not knowing John had believed stayed behind looking at the tomb...

Explanation -

Verse 11 - Her tears were flowing uncontrollably. Her heart was as broken as her dreams. The promised Messiah, her dear friend who cast out 7 demons from her, did not live up to the man that she thought He was. Broken and bawling her eyes out, she stooped down to look inside the tomb...

Verse 12 - Now this is very interesting. As she stoops inside the tomb, eyes full of grief filled tears, she see’s two angels. Now the reason this is interesting is because most times throughout the scriptures when someone comes in contact with an angel, they are immediately filled with awe and fear. Even John had this response...

Revelation 1:16–17 ESV

16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. 17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

Revelation 19:9–10 ESV

9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 1:17 ESV

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last,

Revelation 19:10 ESV

10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

This is why the angels said to the Shepherds...

Luke 2:10–11 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

When one sees an angel, one gets scared, frightened, astonished, awe filled. Not Mary! In fact, according to the text, there wasn’t any response! Two angels, robed in white, sitting at head and feet of where Jesus’ body was.

Why wasn’t she frightened? Well, her lack of response gives us an indication of the depth of her sorrow. Because she was so grieved, her eyes full of tears, she could not truly understand who was sitting in the tomb.

Principle - Great grief can blind us to the realities right before our eyes...

Verse 13 - And so the angels speak to her and ask her two questions, “Woman, why are you weeping?” and “Whom are you seeking?”

Now, of course they know the answers to these questions, but like any good counselor does, they ask questions in order to get her to think and also to reveal her heart. And that is exactly what she does. Mary, exhibits a heart of unbelief. She shows her heart of doubt by making assumptions based on reason, but not based in reality....

Do you see what she says?

Assumption - “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

Mary believes that some group has taken away the body of Jesus. Maybe she thinks it is the Jews? Maybe the Romans? or maybe some grave robbers?

None of these are plausible assumptions and we have dealt with in other sermons. But I will quickly remind you that

The Jews didn’t want his body moved, they wanted it sealed up as a proof of His death.

Matthew 27:62–65 ESV

62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

Matt 27:

The Romans didn’t want his body moved or to be stolen!

That means they would have been derelict in their duties...

Robbers wouldn’t be able to get into the grave with Roman guards and a sealed tomb.

This is a very sad situation. Not because Jesus’ body wasn’t there, but because of MARY’S FAILURE TO REMEMBER AND BELIEVE THE WORDS OF JESUS. It seems that His words and promises didn’t penetrate her heart yet.

Principle - Great grief can cause us to forget the promises of God!

Verse 14 - So she turns and sees Jesus, however she doesn’t realize it is Him either! Why doesn’t she recognize him?

It could be that she was supernaturally blinded like the men on the Road to Emmaus. Do you remember that story? I think its’ worth reviewing...

Luke 24:13–32 ESV

13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”

Luke

It could be that he was all cleaned up from the last time she saw him. She wouldn’t have anticipated a man healthy enough to be a gardener...

It could be that her “Weeping” caused her to not see clearly with her eyes filled with tears. (My favorite)

The very important bottom line was she did not know it was Jesus. And we’ll talk about why this is important in point 2 of this sermon...

But take a look at verse 15...

John 20:15 ESV

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

John 2

Verse 15 - Jesus asks her the very same questions that the Angels asked her. “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

These questions are, no doubt, irritating her by now. But they prove the point that even though Jesus predicted His death, burial and resurrection, that He actually did die (she was right there the whole time) and was buried, that she saw and spoke with two angels, that she now saw and spoke with Jesus Himself - it proves the point that she was functioning in unbelief. Do you see the irony? She had asked the one she sought for the location of His body!

And I believe that she allowed her grief to take over and cloud her faith even more!

Emotions, especially grief are very powerful things...

My dad’s very dear friend, Delvin Tillman. My dad wailed throughout the night. And as a 13 year old kid, I was terrified. My strong father was reduced to bitter tears and wailing.

Mary had very high hopes for Jesus. She followed Him, supported His ministry and now, not only was He dead, but from her perspective, somebody moved, or worse yet, stole the body! All she wanted was to care for the dead body of Jesus. Because of her unbelief, this was her best hope!

The point? This is how life is! No one gets a pass on suffering. If life hasn’t already, it will cause you to suffer and suffer hard. Maybe physically, spiritually, emotionally,

And this life will cause you to weep.

What are you weeping about?

Your marriage?

Your children?

Your parents?

Your job?

Your finances?

Your parents?

Your health?

There are so many things that we can weep over. And I want to tell you something that might be shocking to you. Go ahead and weep...

1 Corinthians 7:30 ESV

30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,

1 Thessalonians 4:13 ESV

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

But we are not to weep or grieve like the world grieves. And the distinguishing characteristic between the believer and the unbelievers is one little word.

HOPE!

And the hope Mary needed - the hope we have available is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That’s right, the Hope that the resurrection brings can have a profound impact in the areas that you may be suffering through, even this morning! Yes, the resurrection can change your marriage! It can help you with your children, you parents, your job, your finance, your health. And this leads us into the next, very important point!

Review - The Resurrection Wipes Away the Tears of Today

The Harsh Realities of Life Will Cause you to Weep

2. His Supreme Power over Death Will Give You Great Purpose (vs. 16-18)

Lead in…Mary is confused after being barraged with the same questions, “Why are you weeping?” “Whom do you seek?” Her head is spinning not knowing which way to turn...

...and then she hears an all too familiar voice...

And this is where we see the single most significant reason for HOPE - Jesus is alive and he chooses this doubt-filled woman, Mary Magdalene, to be the FIRST person He reveals Himself to.

Look at verses 16-18.

John 20:16–18 ESV

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Explanation -

Verse 16 - This is so amazing! She saw the angels and missed it. She saw Jesus and missed it. But as soon as she heard His sweet voice, her uncontrollable weeping stopped.

Mary and Jesus spoke three different languages.

Hebrew was the formal religious language.

Greek was the trade language of that day, much like English is today.

And then Aramaic which was the native language and was probably Jesus’ mother tongue.

So when Mary responded to Jesus, it was in the language they were both most comfortable with. A sign of tender familiarity! Teacher!!!

Do you see the irony? She had asked the one she sought for the location of His body!

But there is something even more profound going on here. Hearing Jesus is not only the pathway to faith, but a sign that someone is indeed a sheep (follower of Jesus)..

Romans 10:17 ESV

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Do you see Jesus’ earlier words (in ) come to fruition?

John 10:27–28 ESV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Romans 10:17 ESV

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Mary was a woman of faith, but she was in a season of doubt. Can you relate to that?

She heard her Lord’s voice, the voice of the shepherd and her faith was restored to full levels!

In astonishment she spoke in Aramaic and called Him teacher...

Mary and Jesus spoke three different languages.

Hebrew was the formal religious language.

Greek was the trade language of that day, much like English is today.

And then Aramaic which was the native language and was probably Jesus’ mother tongue.

So when Mary responded to Jesus, it was in the language they were both most comfortable with. A sign of tender familiarity! Teacher!!!

But then Jesus gives Mary two clear commands in verse 17...

John 20:17 ESV

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

Verse 17 -

Verse 17 - One word changed her tears from dread to joy! She was ecstatic! Her master was alive! Perhaps she was thinking, “Now He will establish His kingdom here on earth!” “Now, He will be the King we hoped He would be!”

Verse 17 -

And Jesus, who could tell what she was thinking said, “Do not cling to me...” This is an interesting response. In the KJV they translate this phrase, “Touch me not...”

That gives the wrong impression. I do not believe Jesus was saying “Don’t give me a hug because you might corrupt me” or something like that. After all there are times He encourages people to touch Him in His resurrected body. For example...

John 20:27 ESV

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”

No, I believe He is clearly telling her that, yes, He is resurrected, but I have a much grander plan than simply hanging out here and now and setting up my kingdom. My plan is much more grand and it entails reaching the outer most parts of the earth. But in order for that plan to take place, He had a job for Mary to do.

This leads to the second command...

“Listen Mary, I need to ascend to my Father very soon! Go and I need you to go and get my brothers and let them know that I am ascending to my Father and God! By the way, Mary He is your Father and God too!”

Because of the death, burial and now resurrection of Jesus Christ, the veil of the temple was torn in two thus symbolizing that Mary and all the disciples could have, did have personal access to God Himself...

Verse 18 - And so, that is exactly what Mary did!

John 20:18 ESV

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

Do you want to see something cool? John tells us that Mary “went and announced to the disciples...”

That word announced, in the greek is “angellousa” (verb, present, active, participle) to bear a message, to inform someone. The is the same root word for “angellos” or Angel!

“angellousa

Mary was dispatched by the Lord like an Angel to go and tell His brothers that Jesus had risen from the dead ! And Because He resurrected from the dead, His Father was their father and His God, their God!

I picture Mary running back to Bethany like Paul Revere in April of 1775, warning the colonial militia that “The Red Coats are coming, the Red Coats are coming!”

Mary - “Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive!”

Argumentation - I’ve heard it said that Mary, Jesus’ mother was the first one to carry the gospel, literally, for nine months. But Mary Magdalene was the first person to carry the greatest news ever. That Jesus Christ was not dead! He was alive. I am willing to bet that she continued telling everyone she could this profound truth for the rest of her life!

There is no greater purpose that disciples of Jesus have than to tell others, “Jesus is alive, Jesus is alive!!!”

Mary was devastated at the thought that Jesus was dead and his body stolen. But with one simple word her faith was restored and she was now open to obeying the commands of Christ. She understood that Jesus was alive, that He wasn’t stay long but that He was returning to His Father / her Father and she needed to go tell the brothers asap! It is amazing how motivating joy is!

Application - Does the knowledge of the resurrection bring you joy? Does it wipe away the inevitable tears that this life will bring you? Does it give you purpose that will help you persevere in this life because you KNOW there is a new, greater, more glorious life in the next?