John 20

 

The Resurrection

Psalm 30 

I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me.

3 O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.

4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.

5 For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

For comparison see: Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8 & Luke 24:1-12

John 20 

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. 

So, at this temporary extinguishing of the Light of the world, we see one who will venture out into the darkness, because she is still seeking him, with all her heart (Jeremiah 29:13-14a)…This one is Mary Magdalene:

We know from the Gospels, very little about this particular Mary: However, the little we do know, speaks volumes:

See Luke 8:2…

“…Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, (also Mark 16:9)

It is indescribable and unthinkable as to what this must have been like for Mary: to be “dead” one day, and Alive the next: For Mary, delivered, set free and following Jesus, it is as if she has already been born again…is already walking in that resurrection life, that almost no one else is able to understand. She is one who did not need to be told “deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.” Mary had died to her old wretched life the moment Jesus had entered it.

Remember Jesus’s words in Ch.12:25…

“Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

…Here was Mary Magdalene!

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. 

Maybe John was apprehensive…maybe he suspected grave robbers…or that a trap had been laid by the Jewish or Roman authorities. Peter, true to form, is not so easily deterred.

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.

Some interesting facts for consideration:

*The face cloth was folded - implying that the tomb had not been raided suddenly, by grave robbers. (Matthew 27:62-66 adds further weight to this.)

*Because of the quantity of aloes and spices applied within the layers, grave clothes would become hard and brittle over time and therefore, could not be removed without being cut or torn away. Yet Jesus’s empty grave clothes showed no signs of cutting or tearing; they were simply laying in place…conjuring up the image of Jesus’s body simply evaporating out of them! The grave clothes could not hold him, because the grave itself could not!

*The face cloth was not left laying like the grave clothes, but was folded: The Greek word for folded is “entulisso”, implying “to twist” or “to entwine.”…

To have been a fly on the wall of that tomb, at this point in time…to have witnessed this exact Heavenly moment! - There are no words…

So, Jesus, having supernaturally “vacated” his grave clothes, removes, with his own hands, the face cloth and neatly gathers it up: straightening up the tomb - as one would do, if they were getting ready to vacate it!

8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 

He saw there was no disturbance, no soldiers laying in wait…no sign of any danger or damage of any sort…he simply saw an empty, peaceful tomb; and although he did not understand - he believed.

9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

Peter and John were resigned to go home: They likely did not know what else to do…and who would? They did not want to hold on to any false hope…they did not want to taste that cup of death again:

The Eleven 

These men had been through a great trauma: In the space of only a few hours, they had been confronted, each of them with their own weaknesses, fears and failures: In abandoning Jesus the Messiah, at his hour of greatest need, they had, each of them tasted the bitterness of their own fallen state. 

Jesus of course, had known that this would happen, and had warned them ahead of time. (Psalm 103:14) None the less, dealing with this, as well as with the loss of Jesus, must have been extremely hard for the Eleven: As Jesus’s closest disciples - and as men in general (whose natural instinct was to lead and protect) - this weight of total failure, must have been immense.

The corresponding account in the Gospel of Luke tells us that other women, as well as Mary, and including the mother of Jesus, were also on the scene, whilst most of the disciples were already in hiding. 

These women seemed to have better understood - and dealt with - this time of loss, fear and grieving: 

{As women, they would likely have been able to move around in the open much more freely than the men - being seen by the authorities, as less of a threat.} Whatever the explanation, it is likely that these women who followed Jesus (many of whom remain un-named) were a great source of strength and comfort to the Eleven - and to one another…they who  had stayed with him to the end.

See Luke Ch.8:2-3 & Ch.24:9-10

This is why, in the beginning God created them - male and female. (Genesis 1:27; 5:2) As two sides of the same coin, made according to the image of God, we complement one another…and we need one another. And nothing demonstrates this better than the account in Luke 24:1-12.  

Here, in this time of - not joy - but weeping and sorrow, is where the true disciples of Christ will realize: Their need for him…but also, their need for one another.

Here, is the beginning of true, pure unity, amongst, what is really a motley bunch of men and women: Fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, men and women of respectability - and also ill repute… bond servant and free…learned and also unlearned…rich and also poor. In short, the most unlikely bunch of people have, through belief in Jesus the Messiah…and also, through the refining fires of tribulation, been brought together: Here is the beginnings of the Ecclesia - the Church of Christ! 

And Luke doesn’t stop here: Ch.24 goes on…read vs.13-32: More and more people will be added to this mix - as they hear the testimony of the risen Lord - and believe! 

And it doesn’t stop here: Later on Pharisees and priests will be added to the number…not only Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea - but: See Acts Ch. 6:7 & Ch.9.

And it will still not stop here! Salvation for Jews from every nation (Acts Ch.2)…leading to Salvation for Gentiles from the furthest corners of the sea…(Acts Ch.8, Ch.27, )…leading to Salvation for you and me. (Revelation 7:9-17) Such is the strength, the diversity, the beauty…of the motley crew - that is the Ecclesia of Jesus Christ!

But for now…in this place of confusion and weakness…amongst a Jewish Remnant: It is here, that hearts are still being made ready…the stage is still being set: 

And as (the women) were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:5-6

This is where it all begins: They have all felt the sting of Death…But LIFE is coming; Weeping endures for the night (Ch.9:4) but JOY is coming with the morning! 

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Psalm 68:11

The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.  (See again Ch.19:25)

“…we do not know where they have laid him.” 

We know from the other Gospel accounts, that there were at least four women, who witnessed the empty tomb, saw the risen Savior and ran to tell the eleven. Numbered among them would likely have been Mary, the sister of Martha - who would have been anxious to discharge what she must have thought to be, her final act of service to her Lord: “Leave her alone, so that she may keep (the ointment) for the day of my burial.” (See Ch.12:7)  

However, John chooses to focus here, on the testimony and action of only one woman: Mary Magdalene.

Again, the short accounts of Mark Ch. 16 and Luke Ch.8 is all the information we really have of this devoted hand maiden - and when we read them, we realize, that this is actually all the information that is needed, to explain her actions now.

“Mary!”

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. 

Where Mary had expected to find the body of her beloved Lord, she finds only the empty shell of the grave clothes - hardened by the aloes and spices, to almost look like a mummy.

If Mary was amazed at this, one would expect her to be dumbfounded at the sight of the angels. Maybe she was - but we see no sign of this in her reaction: Even after his horrific death (which she had witnessed) and tragic burial, Mary is still thinking…still looking…not for angels, but for Jesus! (See Jeremiah 29:13-14)

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. 

Again: We remember the words of Jeremiah 29:13-14…

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.” 

It is plausible that Mary did not recognize Jesus because she was not expecting to see him alive again: It is also plausible that the resurrected Christ was somewhat different in form and appearance. This is also implied in Mark Ch.16:12 & Luke Ch.24:13-32.

Why would the Lord choose Mary Magdalene as the first witness of his resurrection? Why would she be the first one (before any of the Eleven) to be “sent” (Greek: “apostolos”) to proclaim such news? (Vs.17)

Maybe to fulfill Scripture (See Psalms 68:11);

Maybe her testimony was so compelling that it would speak for everyone else’s; 

Maybe it was her unwavering love and gratitude, following Jesus, even to the grave…

Or maybe it was simply because she heard the Lord say her name:

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; 

Jesus has not yet ascended..? It’s been a whole three days…Where “on earth” did he go?

Ephesians 4:9-10

(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?

He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

This is a Bible study all on its own, but here is some helpful Scripture:

Colossians 2:15; 1Peter Ch.3:18-20; 1Peter 4:6 (link to Matthew 27:51-53); Acts 2:24; Ephesians 4:8; Revelation 1:17-18…

Vs.17 cont. but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 

~The relationship between the Lord and his creation has been restored…for whosoever will believe and receive.~

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

The mystery of the three days and three nights: A theory:

“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Matthew 12:40

(Remember, Hebrew days begin at the setting of the sun.)

Assuming Jesus is crucified on a Wednesday: 

At 3pm on that day: Jesus breathes his last. Now begins the clock:

{Wednesday evening, before the setting of the sun - marking the beginning of the high Sabbath, he is buried by Nicodemus and Joseph of Aremathea.}

Wednesday 3pm to Thursday 3pm (the High Sabbath): 1 day and 1 night;

Thursday 3pm to Friday 3pm: 2 days and 2 nights; 

Friday 3pm to Saturday (the Sabbath) 3pm: 3 days and 3 nights.

So Jesus, by this reckoning arose at 3pm on Saturday, almost at the end of the normal Sabbath, as the sun was beginning to go down - and exactly 3 days and nights from his death on the cross: 

And it is early the next day - Sunday, that Mary and the other women come to the tomb, with fresh linen and spices, (they would have been unable to do this on the Sabbath) and wondering who on earth would roll away the stone for them.

…Who truly knows these timings for certain? What we do know is that, from all four Gospel accounts, on the first day of the week (Sunday) the tomb was already empty - before the stone was even rolled away! (see Matthew 28:1-6) It should be of no great shock to us, to realize (especially after reading vs.19) that when Jesus arose, he therefore, must have walked out of the tomb through the solid rock! 

{This is an extremely simplified, rudimentary version of what is a fascinating study, for whoever is interested. Needless to say, there are many different theories, from people much more learned than myself. This is just the one that I like.}

5 For his anger is but for a moment,

    and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

    but joy comes with the morning. 

Read Psalms 30:1-5 - 

For the Eleven, they are about to realize the truth of this Psalm - and to walk in it!

Just a quick recap:

Luke 24:13-35: Jesus has just appeared on the road to Damascus, to two of his disciples (one of whom was his Uncle Cleopas). “But their eyes were kept from recognizing him.” (Vs.16)

So Jesus asks them what they were discussing; we can cut into their conversation just about here:

 

“Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 

and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 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.” Vs19-21

(they must have been confused, disappointed and thoroughly discouraged.) 

Jesus then, through a thorough “dissection” of the Law and the Prophets, introduces Himself to them from within these hallowed pages of Scripture; and explains to them why the Messiah had to die.* 

It is at this point, we can presume that their hearts had begun to “burn within them”; but it is not until dinner - at the “breaking of bread”, that their eyes will be opened - and they will suddenly and dramatically realize: “It’s Him! Jesus is the Messiah…Jesus is the Messiah!” 

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Vs.25-27)

And it is here, that we can now pick up the story, John continuing that same evening, from where Luke leaves off:

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Jesus has resurrected himself from the dead: walked out of a sealed up cave…and walked in to a locked up room. For these disciples, there must no longer be any doubt….

The Messiah…the “Son of David”…is the LORD, who has come down in human flesh to Save his fallen creation from the enemy of their souls - Satan (Exodus 3:7-8). Who would have ever imagined such a thing? The answer is no one. Everyone was taken by surprise here - especially Satan, who had been pursuing after and searching for “the Seed of the woman” since the fall of man (see Genesis 3:15).

As we read through the Oracles of the Old Testament, all the way up to Mary and Joseph, the Salvation of humanity looks at times, like a race against time: But God…

He knew what he was doing from the very beginning; time is in His hands…and he is always right on time!

Again, for these disciples, there must no longer be any doubt, and Jesus is taking measures to ensure this.

“Peace” the very thing he left with them (Ch.14:27) he proclaims to them now: He had prepared them for this…the women with their testimony of his resurrection, had prepared them for this… the men on the road to Damascus, have prepared them for this (see Luke 24:33-35): Because Jesus knew, that out of all people - it would be these…his closest eleven, who would need the most support in believing: That He is the Messiah, who has conquered the grave...

And here is one final assurance, that will seal this Truth in their souls, forever:

20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

In the same way that they were glad to receive him into their boat (see Ch.6), when, battling against the winds, they realized the apparition approaching them, on the tempestuous waves, wasn’t a ghost - it was the Lord! (Also Luke 24:37)

Fear has once again, given way to Faith: And this Faith will be one that endures to the end!

*Note on Luke 24:27 

In recognizing the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets…

in recognizing the pre-incarnate Christ under the Old Covenant (Eg: in Genesis Ch. 18 - as the Angel of the Lord; in Daniel Ch. 3 - as the forth man in the fire; and in Daniel Ch.10 - as the great High Priest, who “stands in the gap”)…

in recognizing that every feast, ritual and sacrifice under the Old Covenant points directly to Jesus Christ…and that He has fulfilled each and every one…

All of this will lay the firm foundation needed for these first Apostles and disciples, to recognize, receive and proclaim Him, under this, the New Covenant.

{Thank you Lord, for the faith and obedience of the Jews (and a few gentiles) of the Old Covenant…all the way to John the Baptist, Joseph and Mary…who continued to believe and obey, sometimes at great risk, and against all hope. Through You, they laid the foundation upon which we now stand. Hebrews 11:13-16}

This is why, according to Luke’s Gospel, in Ch.24:45, He will “open their minds to understand the Scriptures”…

This is how, later on, for some of them, their testimony and teachings will become a part of these same Scriptures.

For further study:

http://sarahshalom777.blogspot.com/2021/06/reference-read-daniel-ch-101-21.html

http://sarahshalom777.blogspot.com/2021/01/in-fullness-of-time-seed-was-planted.html

21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. 

Here is the first fruits…and the fulfillment…of Luke 2:14. Perfect Shalom completeness…of spirit, soul and body…that only comes through redemption and reconciliation back to our LORD and Sovereign Creator.

And just to make their assurance doubly assured: Read Luke 24:41-43.

21 cont. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 

How had the Father sent him? See: Ch.13:34-35; Matthew 20:26-28; As he is, so - through power and enabling of the Holy Spirit - must we also be in this world…because we are not of it.

The disciples have seen…and believed…now they are ready to receive:

22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

Genesis 2:7 “…then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (See also Ezekiel 37:9)

Now we have come full circle: The Lord God breathed his Spirit into his followers - and they have become “New Creatures” (2Corinthians5:17)

 

This infilling and indwelling of the third part of the Godhead - the Holy Spirit - is exactly as promised by Jesus in the previous chapters (see Ch.14:15-17; Ch.16:5-15); and is a vital component to our Salvation and sanctification process: Once we are forgiven of our sins and born again (Ch.3:5-9), the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us: Our bodies become his temple!

Remember Jesus’s final words of comfort and assurance in Ch.14:18: “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

He comes to them - and us - through the Holy Spirit - the paraklétos; meaning one who is called near, to intercede; who entreats on behalf of another. See Romans 8:26.

The Holy Spirit - the Spirit of Jesus - functions in tandem with Jesus Christ himself; making intercession on our behalf; just as Jesus stands in the gap as High Priest, interceding for us, before the Father. And of course they would function in tandem like this: For they are One…three - but One. Again: Here is the glorious mystery of the LORD: We do not understand - and we can rest assured and secure in this. He is infinite…we are not; We don’t need to know….He knows!

Note: This infilling of vs.22 is not to be mistaken with the baptism of power that comes upon the disciples in Acts 2; the Greek “baptizó” meaning to fully immerse or submerge… and which is available - not only to those gathered in the upper room that day - but to every believer…to whosoever would hunger and thirst for Him…

*Just as we were immersed in water, we can also be fully immersed in the fire of the Holy Spirt.

For we who are followers of Christ Jesus…alienated from this world and everything of it, He truly s the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

23 (Jesus continues) If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Immediately after receiving the Spirit., the Apostles are commissioned, to proclaim salvation through the forgiveness of sins, (See Acts 2:38) - working with and through the Holy Spirit, who will convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. To reject the Gospel as proclaimed by the Apostles, through the working of the Spirit, is to reject the Sacrifice of Christ…and to reject Christ, is to reject te One who sent him.

Jesus and Thomas

He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 

Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”Luke 24:38-39

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

People deal with trauma and loss in many different ways: Some seek solace and comfort from the company of others; then there are those like Thomas…

25 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.”

This infamous statement coming out of the mouth of Thomas… betrays the deep seated hurt and pain in his heart.

As if he is saying: “I believed once…for one time, I dared to hope: Never again!” The sense of disappointment, loss, even betrayal we hear from these words, must have been deep and wide…

The Lord will also appear to Thomas; but as we shall see, this appearance will be delayed by eight days. During which time, Thomas will hear the testimony of the Apostles, the women, and the many others who have seen the resurrected Jesus…and Thomas’s heart will slowly begin to soften - and then to open. The Lord has kept Thomas - just as he kept the other Ten: We know this because, in spite of the anguish and pain, he is still fellowshipping with them eight days later! Satan has not succeeded in isolating him to destroy him, as he did Judas: Thomas, like Peter, is still among them!

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

…Here is a direct replay of His actions eight days earlier: Thomas maybe thinks he doesn’t deserve to see what the other disciples have seen…but Jesus doesn’t go to pity parties; He will make sure that Thomas misses nothing!

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.” 

Again, Jesus doesn’t attend pity parties; the time has long past for questioning, reasoning, sympathizing: Jesus goes directly to the source of the unbelief: “See me…hear me…Touch Me! - Now believe!”

…And Thomas will respond with the most profoundly truthful acclamation as to whom Jesus Christ is.

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 

Thomas is by all accounts, the first of the disciples to call Jesus by those terms (to refer to him outright as “God”); and we know them to be true…because if Jesus Christ was not God, he would not have accepted these words.

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

This is the blessing of Faith: We believe and trust in Him, even though we have not seen him.

We should not need to see… visions of Jesus…visitations from angels…trips to Heaven, whether they are authentic or not, should not move us to distraction and cause us to follow a ministry or a person instead of the Lord. (See Romans 10:6-9) 

A visit to Heaven should not be necessary: Christ coming to Earth is absolutely sufficient for us.

As John himself testifies in Ch.1:18 - “No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.”

This is why Paul, when making mention of “a man who went to Heaven in 2Corinthians 12:1-5, would never disclose that this “man” was him. 

“…and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”

So, if we do not need to see…if we are blessed because we have not seen, why do the Apostles and early believers need to see? 

(1John 1:1-2) “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 

2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us…”

These whom, having seen the risen Lord face to face…having heard him and touched him, will be commissioned by him to proclaim this Gospel to others. They are true and authentic witnesses: to his life; his death; his resurrection; and (soon) his ascension. (And there is nothing more powerful - nor more dangerous - than a true witness!)

This is how their testimony will not die - but go on and on…long after they themselves (including Thomas) have been brutally martyred for their faith…to eventually reach us, today!

This is why John goes on to write the following: 👇

The Purpose of This Book

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 

31 but these 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.