John 20:1-9 - Response to the Empty Tomb

What is our response to the empty tomb? There is no historical argument that is credible that denies that the tomb is empty. The religious leaders and the Romans would have gladly presented a body had they found one. They would have been overjoyed to be able to parade the body of Jesus on Day 4 to prove His followers wrong. It is very clear that no body was ever found. But what is your response to this obvious historical fact? Today we are going to discuss the response of three different eye witnesses in regards to finding the tomb empty. I pray that after we discuss these responses, you are able to more clearly articulate your own response to the empty tomb. And that after understanding your response - you may even more clearly see the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John 20:1–9 ESV

1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 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.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Today we are going to discuss three different responses to the same empty tomb. These are going to be formulated in the form of questions that we can ask ourselves as we study the lives of these three eye-witnesses. The first is:

I. Do You Respond with Assumption ? (20:1-2)

John 20:1–2 ESV

Mary is likely not the most trusting person. She had been mistreated time and time again. We see in the Gospel of Luke that she had previously had 7 demons cast out of her! How miserable of a life had she been delivered from with being possessed by 7 demons.

Luke 8:1–3 ESV

1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

As an aside, we see that some of these women mentioned here continued to follow Jesus and went along with Mary as seen in the other Gospel accounts including Joanna who is specifically mentioned here (See Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-10, Matthew 28:1-10).

John 20:1–2 ESV

But back to Mary Magdalene as seen in John 20 again - Raw emotion and sorrow can make us assume the worst at times. Assumptions can be very dangerous. An assumption can be defined as a conclusion that is made without any discussion. It is a conclusion that comes without many and sometimes any facts being sought out. It is divisive. It splits churches. It splits families. It causes so many issues. Friends - avoid assumptions as they can lead to great dangers.

Mary assumes the body is stolen. Even though she loves Christ much and followed Him and continues to follow Him even after His death - she is blinded by her emotions and her assumptions. Incomplete information and assumptions can lead to grievous errors. She misses the big picture here. Being distraught and upset at finding the tomb empty, she forgets the words Jesus had said time and time again.

Mark 9:31 ESV

31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”

Jesus predicted his death and resurrection at least three times as seen in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The book of John likely adds a couple more. Yet Mary missed this teaching that intertwined Jesus’ ministry.

She goes and tells Peter and John what? That they have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have laid him. She assumes that grave robbers, or the religious leaders, or the Romans or someone else had taken to body. Why does she automatically assume this? She is likely allowing her past experiences and her emotions to lead her mind.

Friends, we must not be led astray by our emotions. Our emotions can change from second to second and minute to minute. We must be steady on course with the Lord. We must stand firm on the Word of God and be firm in it. She was not relying on the words of Christ. She was relying on her feelings. Her feelings told her something wasn’t right. She had been there before. She had been disappointed time and time again. Bad things had happened to her throughout her life. Most people who were demon possessed that we see in the Scriptures were treated harshly. They were feared, outcast, or even exploited. In her mind and experience, bad things were bound to happen. Someone must have stolen the body.

What is your first response when you see something unexplainable? What is your first response to disappointment? Do you go to the Word of God for wisdom and direction or do you rely on your intuition and assumptions? Do you turn to prayer and truth or do you turn to what you are feeling? Mary’s initial reaction was incorrect. Her assumptions were off base. I pray that this is a warning to each of us. I pray that when we approach the empty tomb and frankly any other circumstance - we face it in the light of the Scriptures. I pray that we understand how deceptive our emotions and feelings can be. As I have quoted time and time again and will continue to quote:

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Do not follow your emotions or your heart. It will lead you astray.

Mary’s biggest issue was the way that she saw things. This section of Scripture is very unique in that the Greek is much different than the English. We see in verse one that Mary saw the empty tomb. We will continue to build on this idea of saw as there are three different Greek words used for the word saw in this section. The first of which is used here in verse 1 and is the Greek word blepō (blep-o). This is to catch a short vision. It is incomplete. It is a lot like the word we know as blip which came from the early days of radar where something would pop up and go out of focus really quickly.

I pray that you are able to get a better vision of the empty tomb as we continue on. Do not only give the empty tomb a quick glance and assume the rest. So much can be missed this in doing so.

After Mary’s observation of the empty tomb she runs to tell Peter and John. Peter and John run to the tomb and we see their varied responses to the empty tomb as well. Let’s look at Peter’s response first. Peter’s response leaves us with the question:

Scripture References: Luke 8:1-3, Mark 9:31, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-10, Matthew 28:1-10, Jeremiah 17:9

II. Do You Respond with Analysis ? (20:6-7)

John 20:6–7 ESV

6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.

In the typical style that Peter seems to take, he rolls right into the tomb without a hitch. John is historically and traditionally the other disciple mentioned here. In verse 4 and again in verse 8 we see that John actually beat Peter to the tomb. I love that John includes this detail that he is faster than Peter! And he repeated it twice! However John stopped and did not go in. We don’t know exactly why John didn’t enter the tomb. Yet John waits for Peter.

It is here that we see our second Greek word for saw. The Greek word used in this section describing Peter’s experience is the word theōreō (thay-o-ray-o). This word means to view as a spectator. It is the word we get theater from. It is a form of analysis and observation. Yet it doesn’t come to a conclusion.

Peter sees the facts. He sees the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. He sees that face cloth folded up in a place by itself. He sees the burial linen cloths that are apparently undisturbed but certainly empty! It certainly doesn’t look like a scene from a grave robbery. Who folds up a cloth after stealing a body! Who can remove a body without disturbing the burial linens! He inspects the scene without a definitive conclusion.

You see, Peter is blinded by his failures and his sin. Peter has just denied the Lord three separate times before Jesus was crucified. We see in Luke’s account:

Luke 22:61 ESV

61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.”

Nothing is more chilling that this interchange when the Lord Jesus looks at Peter right after Peter had just denied Him three times. We see in the following verse that Peter went and wept bitterly. This is the strong man who had led the disciples courageously and called out the truth of Christ before anyone else when Jesus asked who they said He was (Matthew 16:15). This is the same man who cut off the ear of a guard to help protect Jesus only hours before (John 18:10). But now, he folds and denies even knowing the Lord.

Peter obviously isn’t at his best right now. He is grappling with his failures and trying to analyze what he sees now. He is trying to take it in. Yet his mind is clouded by regret and pain. He is unable to reach a definitive conclusion.

Can you relate to Peter my friends? Do you catch yourself analyzing all of the data from the Bible without a definitive conclusion. You seem to be caught in what is called analysis of paralysis. So many today seem to struggle with making a firm decision. Commitment appears to be a lost art to many.

Marriage continues to be on the decline as men and women refuse to commit to one another. Job hoppers abound and employers seem to treat employees like they are dispensable - all because there is no true commitment to one another. What drives this struggle of commitment in our culture today? There are many reasons one could give for all of the situations in which we could address regarding commitment. However, the answer to why there is a diminishing commitment to Christ is clear. People want to leave their options open. They want to be able to live their lives the way they want to live them without any restrictions. Frankly, they want to be their own god.

I pray that isn’t you brothers and sisters. I pray that you aren’t sitting in the seat of analysis so that you can try to buy time doing what you want to do. We do not know what tomorrow holds. I urge you as much as I can today to make a firm decision and commitment to Christ. A weak commitment is no commitment at all. Jesus requires you to give Him your whole life. You cannot serve two masters (Matt 6:24). You cannot appease God with your good deeds or words and then live as though He does not exist. He asks that we count the cost and that we take up our cross and walk with Him (Matt 16:24). The empty tomb demands a response. The response must be firm. You can only analyze the data so long before you have really made your decision already.

Many have rejected Christ but continue in a state of analysis to pacify their family, friends, and sometimes even themselves. They think that if they keep thinking about it and analyzing things that somehow that is going to give them favor. If I might be so bold - you are actually drinking more judgment upon yourselves by doing this! The Bible is clear that there are levels of judgment in Hell. It is also clear that those who know the Gospel more thoroughly and yet reject it will be judged even more harshly (Matt 11:20-24, John 19:11, Luke 12:47-48, Romans 2:12-16, Hebrews 10:29, James 3:1)! Please understand that if you do not fully accept the Gospel - you have rejected the Gospel. There is no middle ground. You are either for Him or against Him. You are either in the light or in the darkness. Don’t be confused that you are in the light because of those around you. Sometimes people can sit in church around Christ-followers or sit at home with their family with Christ-followers and be tricked into thinking that they are a believer. They are trying to rely on the light of Christ coming through others. Sadly, living vicariously through others does nothing for your eternity.

I plead and urge you to make a firm decision. Respond to the empty tomb. Respond to your risen Savior - Jesus Christ. Respond personally. The One who took our sins on the cross so that we wouldn’t have to suffer. The One who defeated death and the grave and rose three days later on this Resurrection/Easter Sunday! The One who sits at the right hand of the Father ready to intercede for those who put their faith and trust in Him and repent (or turn away) from their sins.

Peter, was given special grace. The Lord Jesus appeared to Him later that day and some time later Peter was restored back to his leadership with the disciples personally by Jesus. Peter struggled for a bit with this analysis. Yet, he repented of his sins and turned back to Christ. Christ restored him. Brothers and sisters - Christ can restore you as well. You may have turned your back on Him some time ago. He can make you new my friends. He can save your soul. Turn to Christ. He loves you and desires a relationship with you.

We have addressed the first two questions - Do you respond with assumptions or analysis. The final questions is:

Scripture References: Luke 22:61-62, Matthew 16:15, John 18:10, Matt 6:24, Matt 16:24. Levels of judgment: (Matt 11:20-24, John 19:11, Luke 12:47-48, Romans 2:12-16, Hebrews 10:29, James 3:1)

III. Do You Respond with Acceptance ? (20:8-9)

John 20:8–9 ESV

8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

We have seen Mary respond with assumptions and miss the mark. We have seen Peter respond with over-analysis and never make a decision. Now we come to John. If we rewind to verse 5 we see that he first saw (Greek word blepō - blep-o). If you remember this is the Greek word that was used for Mary Magdalene seeing the empty tomb. It was a quick glance. A blip per se. Yet he did not stop there. We see in verse 8 here that he saw in a different way and came to a decision.

John - saw - eidon (ee-don) the empty tomb. This particular Greek word for saw means to perceive. To perceive means to recognize, discern, or understand. In other words, he gets it. He notices that Christ has risen from the grave. He understands why the tomb is empty - Jesus isn’t there. And at the end of verse 8 we see that he believes. In other words, John becomes the first official Christian.

The beauty of this interchange lies in the simplicity of this belief that is expressed. As verse 9 shows us, John believes at this point despite the fact that he did not understand the Scriptures pointing to this miraculous occurence. He believed but couldn’t Scripturally explain it.

Isn’t that the beauty of the Gospel? We are to come to Christ with a child-like faith.

Matthew 18:3 ESV

3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

You don’t have to have every single answer to every question before believing. You don’t have to understand every theological concept before believing. Even a child can come to Christ in faith.

Yet after salvation the Holy Spirit begins illuminating the Scriptures for you. He shines light on the Scriptures and helps you understand the deeper things of God.

John 14:26 ESV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

After John believed the Holy Spirit gradually began illuminating these Old Testament prophesies:

Psalm 16:10 ESV

10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

The word for corruption here is more literally translated decay. Jesus’ body would never see decay as He raised from the dead before any decay could begin!

Isaiah 53:10–11 ESV

10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.

Although Jesus would be crushed, He would continue on! He would continue to have offspring. We are His spiritual offspring who follow Him. We are accounted righteous because He bore our sins!

Time does not permit us to go through all of them. But John continued to gain knowledge of the Scriptures and eventually went on to write one of if not the most difficult theological books of the Bible - namely Revelation.

I pray that each of you comes to a firm decision of acceptance as you approach the empty tomb. There is no doubt in history that the tomb is empty. The modern calendar even hinges upon such a fact as we see BC become AD all organized around the life of Christ. There is no doubt that the tomb is empty. But what is your response to such a fact?

Scripture References: Matt 18:3, John 14:26, Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53:10-11

Conclusion

How do you determine whether this witness is true? What reasoning do you use in order to determine the truth claims of John as he writes. Do you take the assumptive approach like Mary Magdalene? Do you assume that it really didn’t happen. It must have been grave robbers. It seems like only bad things happen to you so how could something so good actually happen? Do you take the analytical approach of Peter. This could be called the modernist scientific approach. Analyzing every detail without coming to a definite conclusion. Science oftentimes spends a great detail of time on the minutiae without ever giving a firm conclusion. Ask a physicist about the beginning of time and they will rattle off a series of so-called facts but never really answer the question. Do you spend time analyzing all of the facts but fail to come to a definitive conclusion? Or are you like John here. John says I may not have all the Scriptural understanding to grasp the full picture of what just happened. It may be beyond my wildest dreams. But I believe. I see and I believe. I see the tomb is empty and the stone is rolled away, and I believe that Jesus is who He said He is. I believe that He rose. I believe that He died for the sins of the world.

Brothers and sisters. Where are you? The empty tomb demands a response. You cannot just pacify Jesus on this Resurrection Sunday. You cannot say one thing and live another. Either He raised or He didn’t. What is your response to the eye witness today that says He raised. If we go on further and put the other Gospels together we find that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, Peter, the other disciples, and over 500 others. We could discuss the eye witness accounts in great detail if time permitted. The assuming Mary Magdalene was wrong but found Christ through her searching. The over-analytical Peter saw Christ and was restored. I pray that you seriously consider your response to the empty tomb right now as you sit here today. Take a step of faith toward Christ. Make a firm decision and toss off all of your assumptions and over-analysis. Respond to the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Have a blessed week!

Related Media

Related Sermons