THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK- -JOHN 20:1-18

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.

THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST–Part 2- – JOHN 19:16-18

THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST–Part 2
JOHN 19:16-18

Introduction:

In the first of the two messages on the Death of Jesus Christ we saw that the death of Christ was NATURAL. It was a real death. Jesus “was made flesh” and therefore became capable of suffering death.
His death was also UN-NATURAL, that is, it was abnormal in that He is the Son of God. He had “no sin” and therefore was not under the condemnation of God. Therefore His death was un-natural.
Thirdly, His death was PRETER-NATURAL, that is, it was determined before hand. Revelation 13:8 tells us that the “Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world.”
Now let us consider that THE DEATH OF CHRIST WAS SUPER-NATURAL.
I. IT WAS DIFFERENT FROM EVERY OTHER DEATH.
A. His birth was different from all other births, Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
B. His life was different from all other lives, 1 John 3:5, “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”1 Peter 1:22, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”
C. His death was different from all other deaths, Luke 23:46, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
II. THE PROOF.
A. Our Lord “laid down his life,” – He was not powerless.
1. Consider His arrest, John 18:4-6, Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? 5They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. 6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
2. The effect was startling, –“they went backward, and fell to the ground.”
3. “These officers were awestruck. They were in the presence of incarnate deity, and were overpowered by a brief consciousness of Divine majesty.”
B. Jesus cried with “a loud voice,” Matthew 27:46, “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
1. Observe the words “with a loud voice.” Note Matthew 27:50, “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.”
2. He was not exhausted by what He passed through as many commentators say. God has laid help on Him, Psalms 89:19, “Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.”
C. Jesus had complete SELF-POSSESSION, John 19:28, “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.”
1. Here is evidence that He was in full possession of His mental faculties.
a. His mind was UNCLOUDED.
b. His terrible sufferings had NOT DISTURBED HIS MIND.
c. After six hours on the cross He viewed the ENTIRE SCOPE of the prophetic Word and CHECKED OFF each prophecy.
2. The one prophecy left was that He would drink vinegar mixed with gall, Psalm 69:21, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
C. He bowed His head, John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
1. “Previous to this our Lord’s head had been held erect. It was NO IMPOTENT SUFFERER that hung there in a swoon.” Arthur Pink.
2. He had bowed His head consciously, calmly, and reverently.
3. That, among other things, caused the centurion to cry, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Matthew 27:54.
D. The last act of Jesus, Luke 23:46, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
1. No one ever did this or died thus, John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”
2. No one could take from Him His life. He “gave up” His spirit.
E. The action of the soldiers in regard to the legs of the men on the crosses, John 19:31-33.
1. The two thieves were still alive and their legs were broken, vs. 31-32.
2. However, Jesus was already dead, v. 33, “But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:” Psalm 34:20, “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”
a. It is a well-known fact that death by crucifixion though exceedingly painful was usually a slow death.
1) No vital organs are affected.
2) Death may linger on for two or three days before being completely overcome by exhaustion.
b. It was not natural, therefore, that Christ should be dead after only six hours on the cross.
F. The final demonstration of the Supernatural character of the death of Christ, Matthew 27:51-52: “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,”
1. First, the veil of the Temple was rent in twain – from top to bottom to show that the Hand from Heaven had torn it, thus signifying that the way into the Holy place now was open and access to God Himself had been opened.
2. Next, the earth quaked – the entire earth as I understand it, quaked, i.e., the foundations were shaken and the earth rocked on its axis. “And the rocks rent” – the very strength of nature gave way before the greater power of that death.
3. “Finally, ‘the graves were opened,’ showing that the power of Satan, which is death, was there shivered and shattered – all the outward attestations of the value of that atoning death.” —Arthur Pink.
CONCLUSION:
Everything that happened on the cross furnishes proof that the life of Jesus was not “taken from him,” but that He laid it down of Himself.
This, together with the tearing of the veil, the quaking of the earth, the rending of the rocks, and the opening of the graves, all bore unmistakable witness to the supernatural character of His death.
The Death of Christ, then, was UNIQUE, MIRACULOUS and SUPERNATURAL.

THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST–Part 1- – JOHN 19:16-18

THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST–Part 1
JOHN 19:16-18
Introduction:
This is the first of two messages on the Death of Jesus Christ. This study has been a great blessing to me personally. I have never been touched by the Lord as I have been this time during the preparation of these two message about the death of my LORD. I hope that these messages with bless your heart as I have been blessed in their preparation. I must admit that I have leaned heavily on an elder brother for much of the information. He is Arthur Pink and his book entitled The Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross.
Now let us consider the death of Jesus Christ.
I. THE DEATH OF CHRIST WAS NATURAL.
A. It was a REAL death.
1. Jesus is the Son of God, Matthew 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
2. His blood that was shed was divine.
B. He became “FLESH” that he might taste death for every man, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
1. Thus having become incarnate the Lord of glory, He was capable of suffering death, John 10:17-18, “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
2. So it was that he “tasted death” for every man, Colossians 1:21-22, “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”
C. The evidence that his death was natural…
1. Is seen when he is laid in the tomb, Matthew 27:58-60, “He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”
2. Jesus remained in the tomb three days, Luke 24:45-46, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:”
II. THE DEATH OF CHRIST WAS UN-NATURAL.
A. We mean that it was abnormal.
1. Being incarnate He was capable of death, however death had no claim on Him.
2. The reverse was true:
a. He had no sin nature because His blood was from the Heavenly Father, Matthew 1:21, “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”
b. He “did no sin,” 1 Peter 2:22, “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:”
c. He had “no sin,” 1 John 3:5, “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
d. He “knew no sin,” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Hence, we say, for the Holy One of God to die was un-natural.
III. THE DEATH OF CHRIST WAS PRETERNATURAL.
A. It was DETERMINED BEFOREHAND, Revelations 13:8, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
1. Before Adam was created, the Fall of man was anticipated.
2. Before sin entered the world, God had planned salvation from sin.
B. Christ was FOREORDAINED to be the Savior.
1. A Savior who should suffer the Just for the unjust, 1 Peter 3:18, ”For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
2. A Savior who should die in order that we might live, 1 John 3:16, “ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 4:9, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”
B. In this we see just how great God’s love is for all mankind, 1 John 4:10, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.”

CONCLUSION:
The death of Christ has been the greatest blessing ever known to man. By that death man can have forgiveness of his sin and eternal life in the presence of the God of Heaven.

THE DEATH OF CHRIST AND IT’S PROPHECIES- – JOHN 19:23-24, 28-42

THE DEATH OF CHRIST AND IT’S PROPHECIES
JOHN 19:23-24, 28-42
Introduction:
There has been millions of sermons about the death of Jesus on the Cross. The Scripture has much to say about the subject. John looks at part of the story while the other Gospel writers complete the picture. This is a picture drawn by the Lord in eternity past and painted in brilliant colors in time.
The prophecies relating to the Lord’s death and their fulfillment helps us see what the God of Heaven has done for you and me.
I. THE DEATH OF CHRIST
A. They cast lots for his raiment according to the Scripture:
1. The prophecy, Psalm 22:18, “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.”
2. The fulfillment, John 19:23, 24, “Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.”
a. That Jesus died naked was part of the shame which He bore for our sins, Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
b. At the same time He is the last Adam who provides clothes of righteousness for sinners, Isaiah 61:10, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels”
B. Not one of His bones was broken according to Scripture:
1. The Prophecy, Psalm 34:20, “He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.”
2. The fulfillment, John 19:36, “For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”
C. It is notable that Christ did suffer further punishment on the cross:
1. The prophecy:
a. His hands were pierced, Psalm 22:16, “For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.”
b. His side was pierced, Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son , and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.”
2. The fulfillment, John 19:34, “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”
D. They reviled the Lord according to Scripture:
1. The Prophecy, Psalm 109:25, “I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.” Psalm 22:6-7, “But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.”
2. The fulfillment, Matthew 27:39, “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,” Mark 15:29-32, “And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross. 31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. 32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.”
CONCLUSION:
Thank the Lord that Jesus did not come down off of that cross, for had He done so, we would be lost and bound for Hell today. He endure the suffering in order to fulfilled the Word of God, His Father.

THE DAY ON WHICH CHRIST DIED- – JOHN 19:16-30

THE DAY ON WHICH CHRIST DIED
JOHN 19:16-30
Introduction:
Pilate said, Here is your King, v. 14; “This is another example of irony. (John is the only Gospel writer who mentioned this incident). Pilate did not believe Jesus was their King, but to spite the Jews he called Jesus the King of the Jews. John saw this as significant, for Jesus would die for His people as the King of His people, as the Messiah. Pilate could not resist goading the Jews: ‘Shall I crucify your King?’” The Bible Knowledge Commentary.
“We have no king but Caesar,” v. 15. The rebellious Jews claimed loyalty to Rome while disclaiming their Messiah, Psalm 2:1-3, “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.”
I. THE DAY BEFORE JESUS DIED
A. The day the Lord had prayed before he was betrayed, Luke 22:1, 7, Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. 7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.”
B. The Lord had eaten the passover with his disciples the day before He was crucified, Luke 22:7-8, “Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.”
II. THE NEXT JESUS, BEARING HIS CROSS, WENT TO GOLGOTHA
A. Pilate delivered Jesus NOT to his officers, but to His prosecutors, the Jews, attempting to transfer his guilt, v. 16; Matthew 27:24, “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.”
B. How Jesus suffered for our sins.
1. By the Law of Moses the prosecutors were to be the executioners, Deuteronomy 17:7, “The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.”
2. His being led away NOT having made any opposition, shows the scripture being fulfilled, Acts 8:32, “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:”
a. They OBLIGED Him TO CARRY His cross according to the custom among the Romans, v. 17, “And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:”
b. Pilate had “the last word,” for he wrote the title for the cross: “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” vs. 19-20, “And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. 20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin.”
III. THERE JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS
A. Jesus was taken immediately to be crucified, v. 17.
1. John does not speak of the case of the thief, Barabbas, Matthew 27:26, “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.”
2. Although Pilate hated the Jews he wanted to “CONTENT” the people, Mark 15:15, “And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.”
B. Jesus was NUMBERED with the transgressors, Isaiah 53:12, “Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
1. He was crucified between two thieves thus fulfilling the Scriptures, v. 18, “Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”
2. They hung Him on a tree according to the Scriptures, John 12:32-33, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.”
C. Jesus died having fulfilled the Word of God, v. 30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
1. To finish the work God had given Him to do was always first in His mind, John 4:34, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”
2. That work was the redemption of man, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
D. Jesus bowed His head and delivered His spirit into the Father’s hands, Luke 23:46, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
CONCLUSION:
The Lord fulfilled the Word of God thus He glorified His Father by suffering for our sins on the cross of Calvary. He did what He said He would do in John 10:11, 14, 17-18, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep, 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”