The gospel story reaches its climax in the resurrection story,
likewise the empty tomb is proof our salvation is complete. The resurrection
story recorded by the Apostle John told in three distinct parts: with each
transition, the meaning of Christ’s resurrection is seen through the
eyes of Mary Magdalene, Peter, and John.
If we were to listen to the text, we first would need to listen
the unique experiences of Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the disciples bought
to this special day. Mary Magdalene’s love for Jesus was made possible
because of the gift of forgiveness she received from Jesus. Jesus had done
something for her that no one else could, something she could never forget.
Christian tradition has always had it that Mary was a scarlet sinner, someone
who had a checkered past and reputation that was hard to forget. Jesus forgave
her and accepted her as disciple--it was that forgiveness that set her free,
she found acceptance with Him that she couldn’t find anywhere else.
Peter was a part of Jesus’ inner circle. He was from Bethsaida,
on the west coast of the Sea of Galilee, in the Galilee Region of northern
Israel. It was Peter's brother Andrew who first found the Lord after hearing
John the Baptist near the Jordan River proclaiming Jesus Christ as "Lamb
of God" (1:29-36). Andrew then went and brought Simon to Jesus (v. 41).
It was Jesus who declared that Simon would be called Cephas, an Aramaic name
equivalent to the Greek Petros, from which Peter is derived. However, Peter
is known for seeing Jesus walking on water. He, in faith, steps out and walks
toward Jesus, only to lose faith. He is also know for his tragic denial of
the Lord during His arrest.
John too was a part of Jesus’ inner circle, and was also
a witness to events on the Mount of Transfiguration. John is also known as
the beloved disciple, and the author of one of the four gospels. The significance
of John’s relationship is seen at the end of Jesus’ life. During
the last moments of His life, Jesus’ concern turns briefly to the important
issue of those He will leave behind, His thoughts turn to care of His mother.
It was there that Jesus bestowed a special honor upon John: He entrusted the
care of His mother to John. Jesus loved John, and John loved Jesus.
The Gospel writer says the story of the Resurrection started
while it was still dark (John 20:1), and it was then that Mary Magdalene makes
her way to the tomb. Why so early, why go alone? It appears Mary Magdalene’s
love for Jesus motivated her to visit the tomb Sunday morning. I wonder, is
it love or is it ritual or tradition that motivates us to arise early in the
morning for this Easter service?
Jewish tradition prevented her and the disciples from visiting
the tomb during Sabbath. So Mary came to the tomb early Sunday morning, the
Greek word for early used by John is the technical word for the last watch
of the night: 3am--6am. When she arrived at the tomb she was amazed and shocked:
she was shocked to find the stone removed from the entrance of the tomb. Two
things may have entered her mind: the Jews had taken the body away, or a tomb
raider stole the body. In this situation, Mary felt that she had to go and
find the disciples. Mary’s love for Christ allowed her to be the first
to see the empty tomb.
When Peter, John, and Mary return to the tomb, John looks in,
but Peter, with his typical impulsiveness, not only looked in, but entered
the tomb. For a moment Peter stood, staring in amazement at an empty tomb,
but something began to brew in the heart and mind of John.
If we were to use a little preaching license, we may assume
that John began postulate a theory: If someone had removed Jesus’ body,
if it were the Jews or tomb raiders, why leave the grave clothes behind? Then
something struck him--the grave clothes were not disheveled or cast aside.
They were lying there, still in their folds.
New Testament scholar William Barclay notes that the Greek word
for folds and the scene that John is describing should be understood like
this: The burial clothes of Jesus were neatly and meticulously folded around
His body, still in the original folds. The clothes were not in a pile or left
in a manner as if someone undressed, but rather they were in their original
folds as if Jesus had simply evaporated out of them!
This sight penetrated John’s mind and heart, and he, Peter, and Mary Magdalene began to believe. They are beginning to believe that what Jesus had promised, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19). The joy salvation is now beginning to dawn as the sun begins to rise. John, Peter, and Mary Magdalene now know that the Son of God has arisen. They have made a great discovery of the resurrected Lord, a discovery that we pray you will make today.
Some have called this part of the Resurrection story the greatest
recognized scenes in all of literature. To Mary belongs the glory of being
the first person to see the risen Christ. When Peter and John ran back to
the disciples, she must have been left behind; she stood there crying. While
there at the tomb alone, she sees two angels, who ask her why is she crying.
Before the angels could answer her, she has a conversation with a man she
thinks is the gardener or caretaker. It is during this conversation she fails
to recognize Jesus.
(For the full manuscript
of this sermon go to www.preachersmagazine.org and click on “Sermons.”)
Mary’s initial failure to recognize Jesus as the risen
Savior is not uncommon. As such, there are some who only regard Jesus as a
great man who died. Unlike all historical figures, though great, though important--they
are dead. Those who see Christ in this light believe He should be numbered
among the great social heroes, but that seems to be the extent of His relevance.
Then again there are those who only regard Him as a great man
whose life who must be studied. As such, they engage in the study and examination
of His words and His life. However, our text teaches us that Jesus’
life should not only be studied, like the characters in our text, He is someone
we should have a personal encounter with. It is then that we will realize
He is not only a figure in a book; He is the purpose of the book!
The obvious question the text leaves us is this: Have we really
seen Him? Maybe Mary Magdalene couldn’t recognize Him because of her
tearful emotion. When we lose a loved one, there is always sorrow in our hearts.
In her loneliness and loss, perhaps she failed to recognize Jesus. Maybe she
couldn’t recognize Him because she focused on the tomb rather than the
resurrection.
This message is the very essence of our faith, that we can say, “I have seen the risen Lord.” Christianity does not mean knowing about Jesus, it means knowing Him personally. It is not about religion, it is about relationship. We can have a real, personal, and life changing relationship with God. Have you been motivated by love? Have you discovered the empty tomb? Have you recognized the love, sovereignty, and Lordship of Christ in your life? If not, you can receive God’s gift of love in Christ today.
