Encountering Jesus Resurrection Morning

Title: “Encountering Jesus Resurrection Sunday Morning.” Script: Jn. 20:11-18

Type: Series on Encountering Christ Where: GNBC Easter Sunday 2023

Intro: When I was 13yrs. old, my father took my brother and me Washington D.C. We saw the many different memorials. On highlight of the trip was visiting Arlington National Cemetery. My father had been an honor guard (Not at Arlington.) while in the army. Incredibly moving to watch the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. It was a very special lesson for me to realize our freedom that I often take for granted was paid for by a great price. Resurrection Sunday morning, God gave us very important lesson. Another tomb secured freedom. It was an empty tomb, not of a soldier, but of the Savior. The empty tomb reminds us that Jesus is the perfect sacrificial lamb, that His love for us was demonstrated at Calvary, that He has won victory over Satan, death, and the grave. That message was proclaimed to an unsuspecting individual early on the morning of the Resurrection.

Prop: Today we’ll examine 4 questions raised by Jesus’ Encounter w/ Mary Easter Morning.

BG: 1. The events take place Easter Sunday morning at 1st light. The horrifying events of Friday are still fresh in the women’s minds as they go to the tomb to properly prepare Jesus’ body for burial.

2. vv.9-10 Give us insight into the disciples’ reactions. Didn’t believe there was going to be a resurrection. Jesus had died. They left and went back to their homes. No expectation of Res.

3. Interaction is primarily between Jesus and Mary Magdalene yet applies to each of us today.

4. We must remember that because of the believer’s union with Christ, that which Christ does affects all those in him. Therefore, if Christ’s resurrection proves the legal declaration of his righteous status, then believers should anticipate Christ’s resurrection leading to their own justification as well.

Prop: Let’s examine 4 Pertinent Questions Raised by Mary’s Encounter w/ Jesus Easter morning.

I. 1st Question: “Why Are You Weeping?” vv.11-13

A. The 1st Question Addresses the Emotional Trauma Mary was Suffering.

1. Mary Comes in Grief to the Tomb that 1st Resurrection Morning.

a. Mary comes to the tomb out of devotion and duty. V. 1 She comes with overwhelming grief. She comes early while it is still dark out. I believe she arrived first, followed closely by Peter and John, and a bit later by Mary, the mother of James and Salome. The women were coming out devotion and duty to prepare the Body for burial because Joseph and Nicodemus had rushed the process due to the Passover.

b. Poor Mary, she loved her Lord. She loved her Savior. Her life was an absolute shambles when Jesus saved delivered her. Grief affects people differently, and even at different times. Illust It’s normal to weep at a tomb. We also see grief and despair in the tears of Mary Magdalene. The Greek word used to describe her weeping means loud, uncontrollable wailing. She was despondent that not only had Jesus died, but now she thought they had taken away His body so that she could not give Him a proper burial..

2. In Her Grief and Despair, Mary Mistakes What Has Happened.

a. Illust: The Battle of Waterloo, one of the most famous battles in history, occurred on the mainland of Europe on June 18, 1815. It pitted the French army, commanded by Napoleon Bonaparte, against the Anglo-German-Dutch forces lead by the Duke of Wellingtonr. Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo ended the twelve-year period of wars known as the Napoleonic Wars. News about the English victory was carried first by a ship that sailed from Europe across the English Channel to England 's southern coast. When the report was received at Winchester , signalers with flags on top of the Cathedral began to spell out Wellington 's defeat of Napoleon to the entire city: "W-e-l-l-i-n-g-t-o-n - d-e-f-e-a-t-e-d…" However, before the message could be completed, a heavy fog moved in. The REST of the message was hidden from England. Based on incomplete information, the citizens of England thought Napoleon had won. Gloom filled the nation as the bad news quickly spread. But when the mist began to lift, the flags high up on Winchester Cathedral completed the news. The flags spelled out this triumphant message: "W-e-l-l-i-n-g-t-o-n -d-e-f-e-a-t-e-d - t-h-e - e-n-e-m-y!" The message of DEFEAT was changed into one of VICTORY! Joy immediately replaced the gloom.

b. Notice the question the two angelic visitors at the tomb ask the weeping woman: “Woman, why are you weeping?” It seems a little insensitive at first read, doesn’t it? Unless, of course, you know what they know! Mary has not grasped the gravity of the situation. Notice that her sorrow is not just motivated by the Lord’s death, but she now believes that someone has robbed the tomb of His body. Make no mistake, Mary saw Jesus die. She was at the cross. She was still in grief over His death. Now she believes the body has been desecrated or stolen. The resurrection wasn’t on her mind.