BEFORE & AFTER: The Cross

John 20:1 CSB

On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.

INTRO—

THE CROSS:

John 14.27-29 ““Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe.”

AFTER: Running Toward [Figuring Out] (John 20.1-10)

The Starter = Mary Magdalene

John 20.1 “On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.”

The Front Runner = John

John 20.4-5 “The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.”

The Runner Up = Peter

John 20.6 “Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.”

Partial Victory = All the disciples

John 20.8-9 “The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead.”

AFTER: Running Away [Failure] (John 21.1-25)

“After this” (v.1; epilogue but not sequential; sequential and culminating)

Not knowing what to do (what he could do; was worthy to do)… go back to what you know.

John 21.2-3 “Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together. “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

When we won’t…or don’t think we can, Jesus has a plan—which typically floors us.

John 21.4 “When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus.”

John 21.7 “The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea.”

Jesus pursues the un/dis-qualified.

John 21.15 “When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him.”

John 21.17 “He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said.”

The life of a Gospel runner.

John 21.19 “He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, “Follow me.””

CONCL—

How important was (/is) it for Jesus’ disciples to get the reality of his resurrection? IT. IS. EVERYTHING!

[[[Alistair Begg - The Man on the Middle Cross…(video)]]]

1 Corinthians 15.54-57 “When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

John 21:25 CSB

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.