THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
JOHN 20:1-18
Introduction:
There was no one thing of which the apostles were more concerned to produce substantial proof than the resurrection of their Master. First, because it was that which he himself appealed to as the last and most cogent proof of his being the Messiah. Second, because it was upon this the performance of his undertaking for our redemption and salvation did depend. 1 Corinthians 15:17, “And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.” The evidence of the Lord’s resurrection was shown openly, Acts 10:40, “Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly.”
I. MARY MAGDALENE FINDS THE STONE WAS TAKEN AWAY
A. Much was forgiven Mary Magdalene, therefore she loved much, Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”
1. Who was she? Luke 8:2, “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils.”
2. Seven devils had been cast out of her by the Lord, Mark 16:9, “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”
B. She was accompanied by Mary the mother of James, Mark 16:1, “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.”
C. Mary Magdalene was apparently the first to get to the cave where Jesus was buried.
1. She had been an observer at the cross and now was the first person at the grave, Matthew 27:55-56, “And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56 Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.”
2. She finds it open, v. 1; Mark 16:3, “And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?”
II. PETER AND JOHN ARE INFORMED
V. 2, “Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.”
A. Mary thought someone had stolen the Lord’s body, v. 9, “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”
1. The Risen Lord addresses her, v. 13,“And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
2. She does not recognize the Lord, v. 15, “Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.”
B. Peter and John run to the sepulchre, vs. 3-4.
1. John outruns Peter to the cave, but does not enter.
2. Peter is the bolder of the two and enters, vs. 6-10.
a. Peter saw (beheld attentively = puzzled) the grave clothes laid out in order, vs. 6-7.
b. John entered and saw (perceived = to grasp mentally) the same thing and knew that the Lord was risen from the dead, v. 8, “Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.”
c. For that reason he commented in v. 9, “For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”
d. The disciple returned home, v. 10.
III. MARY MAGDALENE IS NOT SATISFIED TO LEAVE
A. She looks into the tomb and sees two angels, vs. 11-13.
1. She is still crying and upset.
2. The angels asked why, v. 13.
B. Jesus speaks to Mary, vs. 14-17.
1. The Lord’s appearance to Mary Magdalene and not to Pilate or Caiaphas, is significant because no Jewish author in the ancient world would have invented a story with a woman as the first witness to this most important event.
2. Furthermore, Jesus may have introduced Himself to Mary first because she had so earnestly sought Him.
a. She was at the cross while He was dying, John 19:25, “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.”
b. She went to His tomb early on Sunday morning, v. 1.
C. Mary has a temporary blindness, vs. 15-16.
1. The Lord did allow her to recognize Him at first like those on the Emmaus road, Luke 24:16, “But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.”
2. Jesus said to her, Mary, v. 16.
a. As the Good Shepherd, He calls His sheep by name, John 10:3, “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
b. “They know His voice,” John 10:4, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”
c. Immediately she recognized Him and responded with the cry Rabboni! (which means my Teacher), v. 17.
CONCLUSION:
She may have embraced Him physically, for the Lord responded, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” v. 18.