Victorious Living
Notes
Transcript
The Joys of Victory
The Joys of Victory
Tell the story of what happened after the crucifixion leading up to 20:1...
A horrible drama has played out on the cross and in the middle of the day and the earth is covered in darkness… Christ is dead.
Matthew tells us that at that moment the veil in the temple was torn in two… from top to bottom. Th earth shook and rocks split. Other amazing things also happened that caused the centurion charged with guarding Jesus’ body to become terrified and say… “Surely he was the Son of God!”. (Matt. 27-51-54)
As far as the disciples could tell, it was all over. They had followed Jesus… and now what? They had not yet connected Jesus’ life and death with prophetic scriptures like Psalm 22.
All that the disciples had left was a sense of utter helplessness and the shame of feeling deserted.
But.... soon the disciples would experience a greater joy than they had ever known. John 20 is the story of that joy.
If you’re not already there, will you turn in your Bible’s to John 20 this morning?
John tells us that a man named Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple of Jesus, took the body of Christ. With the help fo Nicodemus, they wrapped Jesus’ body in linen wrappings and about 100 pounds of spices and laid him in a new tomb located in a garden not far from where Jesus was crucified.
On that Friday afternoon, Jesus’ body laid in the tomb… wrapped in swaddling cloths. We know from other gospel accounts that a stone was rolled over the entrance of the tomb and a seal was placed on it to help make sure that no one would get in. A guard was posted and charged to make sure that no one disturbed the stone.
The Jewish leaders knew that Jesus claimed that he would rise after 3 days. They wanted to make sure that no one could come and make that prophecy come true by stealing the body.
So much work was put into keeping people out of the tomb. Thankfully, God’s plan did not involve people getting into the tomb… but would involve someone getting out!
Sometime before dawn on that Sunday morning.... over 2000 years ago something wonderfully victorious happened. Soon several women would arrive at the tomb and be the first to witness the Joys of Victory.
As we walk through this text together today we’ll see the different joys related to Victorious Living.
We’ll see that Peter and John learn the Joy of Understanding. Mary and the Disciples get to experience the Joy of Seeing, and then Thomas and each one of us gets to learn the Joy of Believing (without seeing).
Let’s look together at John 20, and watch two men race towards the Joy of Understanding.
I. The Joy of Understanding (20: 1-10)
Not long after Jesus was resurrected, a small group of women came from the city to the tomb. They were planning on anointing Jesus’ body with more spices. We know from the accounts recorded in Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1, Luke 24:1 and John 20:1 that there were at least 4 women, but probably more. Matthew tells us that Mary Magdalene and Mary, Jesus’ mother were there. Mark tells us that Salome was there and Luke tells us that Joanna was with them.
These dedicated women reached the tomb about the time the sun was coming up. A time of day when it is difficult to see without any lights. But what they did see amazed them. As they come to the garden tomb.... they see the stone that had been sealing the entrance was gone and the guards were gone.
What had happened? Had Jesus been buried somewhere else? Had someone already came and robbed the tomb?
At some point the women decide that they are going to go and tell the disciples and Mary Magdalene takes off with the message. Verse 2 tells us that...
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
Let’s focus for a moment on this conversation between Peter and John.
A. Peter and John (20: 5-8)
And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;
As Peter and John ran to the tomb, Peter must have been the sprinter because he had the lead in the beginning, but John (our long distance runner) overtook Peter and was the one who arrived at the tomb first.
You may have noticed that throughout this passage, the word “see” is used quite a few times. Here in verses 5, 6, and 8 it is used 3 times and each time it is used.... it is actually a different Greek word that gives clarity to the situation.
When John reached the tomb, verse 5 tells us that he didn’t go in… He just looked in and saw the grave clothes lying there. The word translated “saw” in verse 5 is a word (blepo) that suggests a simple seeing. John simply stood outside and saw that the grave clothes were there.
Then Peter arrives. From what we know of Peter, we know He’s not going to be satisfied with just standing outside and looking in. No, Peter takes charge and goes inside, sees the linens and facecloth folded up and lying there.
In verse 6 when we are told that Peter “saw” the linens and face cloth, the word used is a word that gives us our word for theater (theoreo - ) and suggests that Peter took a long, careful, investigative look.
Typically corpses were wrapped with their arms folded across their torso. The head was wrapped separately, with a cloth twirled around it like a turban. This is why, in Luke 7:17, when Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain as he was being carried to the tomb, the young man sat up and was able to speak. The grave clothes did not cover his face.
So, when Peter saw the linen cloths lying there.... undisturbed..... and the face cloth folded up in its own place. This should have registered… that something great had happened. No grave robber had done this. No person could have removed the body without destroying the linen wrapping with all its spices. No, it was almost as if the body had just disappeared and all that was left behind was the linen wrappings used to cover the body… and then the face cloth… positioned exactly right where Jesus’ head would have been..
Then, verse 8 tells us that John steps into the tomb. Now, when verse 8 tells us that he “saw”, the word used (a form of orao) means to see with understanding.
When John walked into the tomb and saw the scene laid out before him. He tells us that he saw with understanding… he could put most of the pieces together to form the big picture… and as he began to understand.... John tells us that he believed!
He saw with understanding and believed!
What did John believe? While He didn’t understand ever part of it… he believed that Jesus had risen from the dead!
I can imagine John looking at Peter and saying…. don’t you see? No one has taken the body! It’s gone… right through the grave clothes! The only reason the stone was rolled away was so that we could see that Jesus is gone! Praise the Lord! Let’s go home and tell Mary the others!
Remember on the cross, Jesus had given his mother Mary into John’s care. So, when the text tells us that they went back to their homes.... we have to believe that John was going to run back and Mary would be the first to whom he would tell this victorious news!
A living Christ is an all-powerful Christ! A living Christ is a Christ who gives us life! A living Christ is a Christ who gives victory!
John believed that Jesus was alive!
Because John is writing all this after the fact, I think John writes verse 9 to make start making a point that he will finish in verses 29-31.
Like John, let me plant the seed of his point now, and then we’ll hope it grows to maturity by the time we get to verse 31. While Johns “seeing” in verse 8 led him to believe, he wants us to learn a lesson. So, he adds in verse 9
for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Keep this in mind until we get to verse 29-31. I believe that John wants us to see that his belief here is incomplete. At the tomb John believed based on his sight. He saw that the tomb was left in a certain condition and made the leap of faith in his understanding that Jesus had risen from the dead. But he tells us in verse 9, that at this point he had not yet connected his belief with the Scriptures.
Later, it will be made clear that while seeing is believing.... faith apart from seeing is far better (20:29)
Our faith is incomplete when it is primarily based on what we see or experience. But our faith is complete and made whole when it is based on the Word of God.
(That is John’s premise for this whole gospel. Yes, seeing is great! But belief in Christ is built on the Word of God.)
Belief is a process… it is a progression as God leads us to Himself. As we grow in our belief… as we grow in our understanding.... by faith we receive joy!
Peter and John experienced that Victorious Joy of Understanding.... as their understanding led them to belief.
Next, the text turns our attention to Mary who is graciously given the privilege of being the first to experience the Joy of Seeing.
II. The Joy of Seeing (11-23)
A. Mary and the Disciples
After Mary Magdalene so kindly went and told Peter and John about Jesus’ empty tomb, they apparently left her in the dust setting out on a foot race seeing who could get to the tomb first.
As we read, Peter and John get there… have their discussion and go back home. Then, in verse 11 we are told that Mary finally arrives back at the tomb in tears.
Mary missed the joyful understanding that sent John and Peter Joyfully skipping back home.
So, here’s Mary… crushed by the death of Jesus and now weeping over the potential theft of Jesus’ body. She goes into the tomb and all of us a sudden she sees someone inside.
Verse 12 says that she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lain.
The word for “saw” here is the same word that is used to describe when Peter saw, meaning that she looked in and investigated.
Let’s read what happened next.
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.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 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.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 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.’ ” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Mary was mourning. That is part of the reason why she was weeping at the tomb. Traditionally people would come and weep at the tomb for so many days after the burial. So, on the one hand Mary was following tradition. But, on the other hand she was expressing her broken heart.
Jesus had cast out 7 demons from Mary. She had sinned much, and she had been forgiven much, and she loved much! The death of Christ and now disappearance of his body put her heart in indescribably anguish.
Its amazing that when Jesus speaks to Mary in verse 15, she doesn’t recognize him. We are told that she thinks it is the gardener. (illustration about not understanding/recognizing something when you are not expecting it — language in Ukraine/ Liberia — hearing english when you are expecting Russian… )— Mary was in such deep grief.. thinking that Jesus was gone forever… it would have never crossed her mind that the one she thought was the gardener was Jesus.
But then, Jesus says her name, probably in the way that he always said it.
“Mary”.... at that point like a sheep who knows the voice of her Shepherd.... turns and realizes that it can’t be anyone but Jesus.
She turns and yells “Teacher!” and probably runs to him and throws her arms around him.
Jesus stops her and helps her understand that now there was a new relationship being established.
While Jesus’ presence was a huge comfort… the new relationship Jesus was establishing would far exceed any comforts that they would know from his material presence.
It’s interesting that Christ chose to appear first to Mary Magdalene. Christ didn’t choose to appear before an apostle, to the crowds in high society, but to this particular woman. Christ chose to first appear to someone who the culture of the day would oppress and overlook. Plus… Mary wasn’t just any woman… she was a women who was publically known for her great sin.
As you think about that… think about the comfort that it should be to every believer to know that Christ always comes first to the poor in spirit.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Being “poor in spirit” means the exact opposite of the person who thinks they have all the answers and who thinks they can take care of everything themselves. Being poor in spirit means that you are broken over your sins and that you know that you are absolutely lost and hopeless without God’s grace.
The person who is poor in spirit knows that they need Christ.... and is desperately looking for him.
To that person… Christ will always come first. That person…who knows that they are a sinner… and who comes to Christ with empty hands and an open heart… will always be lovingly accepted by God.
That truth will never change.
How is your spirit today? When others look at you… would they say that you are poor in spirit or proud in spirit?
Pride is the path that leads to destruction.... be careful if you find yourself standing there.
Christ offers joy and peace to those who know their need and know that He is the only solution.
After her conversation with Christ, Mary takes off running to tell the disciples that she had seen the Lord! She runs back… and probably short of breath tells them all that Jesus had said to her.
Once Mary finishes telling all the news to the disciples… despite all of the excitement, we are told that the group of apostles were afraid and decided to meet together in some private and locked room. Sitting together trying to figure everything out.
Then, all of a sudden, without opening a door or window.... Jesus appears in the room with them and simply gives this wonderful greeting.... “Shalom!”… Peace be with you!
Verse 20 then says:
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
vs. 20 — when they “saw” the Lord — the same word used in verse 8 when John came into the tomb and saw and believed....
The disciples had heard what Peter and John saw.... they had heard what Mary saw… and now they were seeing for themselves! Verse 20 says that they were overjoyed when they saw Jesus.
— Interesting that Luke records that even when they saw him, “They still did not believe it because of joy and amazement.” (Luke 24:41) — This could be another way of connecting the fact that while they were seeing that Jesus had risen and believed.... the disciples had still not connected Jesus’ resurrection to the promises recorded in Scripture. Probably a few specific Scriptures (Ps. 16:10, Isa. 53:10-12, Hos. 6:2).
The disciples believed.... but their faith was still dependent on what they could see.... not on trusting in what God had said through the Scriptures....
After Jesus appears and speaks with the disciples, Jesus commissions them to go and share what they have heard.
Then, Jesus breaths on them and says “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Now, the disciples didn’t actually receive the Holy Spirit until 40 days later at Pentecost.
Jesus had formally commissioned the disciples… now he was ceremonially empowering them through the promise of the Holy Spirit and their charge to affirm the salvation and oversee the discipleship of all those who would put their faith in Christ. (v.23).
In verses 22-23, Jesus is basically showing, through this symbolic act, a picture of what would happen in 40 days.
Part of the affirming and overseeing that Christ is describing in verses 22-23, is that Christians are given the authority to declare that those who genuinely repent and believe the gospel will have their sins forgiven by God.
Knowing that, we are to warn people that anyone who rejects Jesus Christ will die in their sins. (John 8:24; Heb. 10:26-27).
Mary and the disciples have now seen Jesus… spoken with him and their seeing has led to their belief. Seeing Jesus has given them incredible joy and encouragement. But what about all of those people throughout the ages that don’t have a chance to physically see Jesus? What kind of Joy do they have?
Let’s see what happens next as John shows us the Joy of Believing without seeing.
III. The Joy of Believing (without Seeing)
A. Thomas and Us
Now as John moves to the last part of this chapter, he reminds us that Thomas had not been with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them in that locked private room.
Here is where Thomas earns his reputation as… doubting Thomas. The disciples tell Thomas all that had happened .. but in verse 25Thomas says:
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Pretty bold words.... but at least they were honest. Thomas was just verbalizing what the others had already embraced. The fact that they were basing their faith.. their belief in what they could see.
Thomas was not the kind of guy that would just act like he believed when he did not. So, Thomas’ response is one of a person who is truly seeking to understand and believe. But, sadly at this point Thomas along with the other disciples are still basing their faith on what they can see… not on what had been revealed (Scriptures).
Thomas isn’t any different than people in our world. People want proof. People say… “give me proof and then I’ll believe!”
Actually… if you really think about it… our world today is different than Thomas. Our world today may be closer to people saying… “show me the facts, and then I’ll invent another theory.” — No matter what evidence you present someone… all it takes is a google search and they can find pages of information either confirming or denying what you presented.
Many in our world are looking for any shred of theory to have a reason not to believe in the Jesus presented in the Bible.
The sickness that plagues our world is one of disbelief.
Praise the Lord God has provided the remedy for the sickness that Thomas experienced… and so can each one of us.
Thomas will soon learn that the remedy for the sickness of sin is not tied to what we can see.... but is connected to what has been revealed in the Word of God.
John tells us that 8 days go by… and then on a day when the disciples were all together again… and Thomas was with them, even though the doors were still locked, Jesus entered the room and spent time with them.
Again, Jesus greets the disciples by saying “Shalom!”… Peace be with you! Be comforted… don’t be troubled or worried.... Its me! I’m still not a ghost… it’s really me!
Then Jesus turns to Thomas and says,
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.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Thomas may have been slow to believe, but he was not slow to see the reality and truth of Christ’s resurrection. Now after seeing Jesus… touching his scars.... Thomas believed. Jesus was not only his Lord… but Thomas announces that Jesus is His God!
For Peter, John, Mary, and Thomas… seeing was believing! Praise the Lord Jesus gave them the gift of revealing Himself to them.
What about us? While we don’t have the opportunity to physically see Jesus’ resurrected body… and put our fingers on the scars left on his hands. The evidence God has given us is just as clear.
John highlights the words of Jesus in verse 29 that emphasize a point that I believe John has been making this whole chapter. Jesus says,
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
We can be part of those Jesus calls Blessed! Not because we saw Jesus’ body… but because we have come to know Jesus through God’s inspired Word. We have the prophetic Scriptures to confirm our faith. We have the testimony of resurrected lives. (ex: Haven of Rest, people in our church...)
John wants you to understand that apart form the Word of God… there is no true life change.... there is no reconciliation… there is no real relationship with Jesus.
Seeing God move through people and events has its place in the Christian life… but the things we “see” and “experience” only provide us with an incomplete faith. A shadow of true faith.
Jesus said… Blessed are those who do not see, and yet believe.
John follows up Jesus’ words with this statement.... ‘Jesus did so many other things that people “saw” that even if we could record all of them… there isn’t a book big enough to contain them all.
But, “these things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
Conclusion/ Application:
Friends, God has not intended for our faith to be based only on the things that we see. Actually, the opposite is true. God has given us the ability to believe in Him… without seeing Him. God has given us His Word… and it is all written to reveal the truths about who He is… so that we can know Him… trust in Him… place our faith in Him.... and have a life giving relationship with HIm.
Jesus is victorious over death and sin. The grave could not hold him. He is alive! He is alive! Its ok to get excited about that! He is alive and you can know him personally.
He has given you all the evidence you need to believe right here in His Word.
What does it mean to live the victorious life?
Some people will tell you that the victorious life means that you name it and claim it! If you just say Jesus enough times and loud enough then you’ll get that private jet… you’ll get that new sports car… you’ll have your wildest dreams come true.... just say Jesus!
Sadly, many people will fall into this trap.... looking for God but then getting trapped by the pursuit of prosperity. Then.. when they eventually wake up they are so jaded… they reject the “church”… and never truly find the victory that their hearts and souls truly need.
Main idea:
True belief in Christ will bring the victorious joy of Christ to all who come to Him by faith!
Do you believe? Do you believe the evidence that Jesus has presented to you in this book? Or.. are you still looking to see something?
Where are you in your process of belief?
Wherever you are… base your belief… base your faith on God’s Word… and God will never let you down… true faith in Jesus based on the Word of God never disappoints.
The entire gospel of John is teaching that apart from the Word of God… there is no true life change.... there is no reconciliation… there is no real relationship with Jesus.
True faith is not based on what we can see, but on what God has revealed. — Seeing is great! But belief in Christ is built on the Word of God.
Christ offers joy and peace to those who know their need and know that He is the only solution.
Our Response:
Believe! Trust Jesus even when you can’t see!
Come to Jesus by faith not because of what you can see, but because of what God has revealed in the Word of God!
Let’s Pray: