ENCOUNTER THE RISEN JESUS – EASTER 2021

 SCRIPTURE: John 20:1-16 * Why was the stone "taken away from the tomb"? All 4 gospels record this. John 20:1, Matthew 28:2, Mark 16:3-4, Luke 24:1-2 * Jesus did not need the stone rolled away because His resurrected body could walk through doors. John 20:19, 26 * The stone was taken away for the disciples not for Jesus, just as God tore the veil in the temple from top to bottom to grant us access. Mark 15:38 * Peter and John went to verify the story of Mary Magdalene. John 20:3 * John outran Peter but he did not enter the tomb when he got there - he just peeped in. John 20:4-5 * Peter got there later but he entered the tomb. John 20:6-7 * Position of grave clothes and headcover was an indication his body was not stolen - this is why John believed when he went in after Peter. John 20:8-9 * After Peter and John visually verified Jesus had risen, they went home. John 20:10 * Mary however, did not leave but waited to see the risen Jesus and she encountered 2 angels. John 20:11-12. * She repeated her story to the angels when they asked her why she was weeping. John 20:13 * After expressing her fear or worry to the angels she had an encounter with Jesus. John 20:14 * At first, she did not recognize Jesus but recognized Him as soon as He called her name - He knows your name. John 20:15-16 * The risen Jesus does not meet visual expectation (sight) - listen to Him because faith comes by hearing- not by sight but by faith. * On the road to Emmaus also Jesus was identified by the 2 disciples by His words and not by sight. Luke 24:30-32 * Mary Magdalene was the first to see Jesus because she persisted and God is no respecter of persons and shows no partiality. Acts 10:34-35 * You can have an encounter with the risen Jesus if you desire and wait patiently and are not content with the rolled away stone, and burial cloths alone. To schedule appointment, please send text to 301.442.4583 OR Email: appointment@agapelifeonline.org Thanks, Pastor George