Memorize: Eyewitnesses to the resurrection
Key Verses: 9, 16-17, 19, 21-22, 29, 30-31
After Jesus’ hasty burial in a borrowed tomb just moments before the Sabbath period began, the disciples and His close companions observe the Sabbath. Just moments after the official Sabbath has ended Mary Magdalene goes to properly prepare Jesus body. But as she arrives at the tomb, she sees that someone has tampered with it, or so she thinks. She runs to return and report this to the disciples who respond by running to the tomb themselves. They arrive and explore the almost empty tomb. The linens that were wrapped around Jesus’ body are still there, but Jesus is not. They still don’t understand the resurrection, so they return to their temporary lodgings.
But Mary returns, puzzled but determined to try to finish her respects. There must be an explanation. She looks into the tomb and sees two angelic beings who talk with her briefly. She turns and sees someone, and in her puzzled state, not understanding the resurrection, she mistakes Him for the gardener. But Jesus just speaks her name and Mary’s world is changed. She hugs Him as if there is no tomorrow. But Jesus has a mission for her: go tell the disciples.
For the next two weeks on Sunday, Jesus appears behind closed doors to His disciples. He shows them the marks of His crucifixion. They believe. And He gives them a mission. They are eyewitnesses to the resurrection. Their job is to tell what they have seen and experienced. They have seen Jesus alive again.
But the last verses of this chapter are the key to the whole book of John. Everything written is nothing compared to what could be written, and the reason anything was written down was so that we would believe. Believing is the key. When we trust Him, everything changes. Our view of the world and eternity lines up with God’s view of the world and eternity. And when that happens we experience life, real life, eternal life right here, right now.
REVIEW: Acrostic Theme & each chapter’s phrase.
The Arnold Journey 