Four People, One Resurrection

Four People, One Resurrection.

April 20th, 2025

Easter Sunday, CCCAG

Text: John 20:1-29

Introduction

Today we celebrate the greatest event in human history- the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

All of history up to this point that we are going to read about today was to prepare the way for this enormous show of God’s love, HIS power, His mercy, and HIS forgiveness.

The Resurrection is the central point of Christianity, and the reason we celebrate Easter.

But that first Easter- people didn’t understand what Jesus had accomplished.

They were in the darkest time of their lives since accepting Jesus’ call to follow HIM.

How many of you have survived a dark time of the soul? A time when the lights seem to have disappeared, the darkness seems victorious and is laughing in your face, and your hope is gone?

Probably everybody here.

Over the years I have faced many dark moments in my life.

I’ve held the hands of people when they have taken their last breath, especially during COVID.

I’ve seen abuse and violence against children and women that filled me with such rage and anger that I physically shook because I wanted to see justice done- right then and there.

I’ve watched too many coworkers, dealing with the stress of the job that is now crushing their personal lives go to some very dark places…a few never found their way back.

I know what it is like to have so much despair that it feels like walking in the valley of the shadow of death, and feel like there is no light left for me to run towards.

That is where the people are in John Chapter 20. Jesus is dead, they are on the run, and all hope seems to have been crushed.

Peter, John, Thomas, and Mary had followed Jesus for 3 years. They were all convinced he was the Messiah who had come to liberate their nation from the Roman’s and restore the glory of the throne of David.

But then, Friday happened. On the eve of Passover, one of their most holy religious days, they watched as Jesus went through hell on earth.

Three Days ago-The Romans beat Jesus, mock him, spit on him,

Three Days ago- The Roman’s flayed the skin off Jesus’ body with whips.

Three Days ago- The Romans made him carry a cross for almost ½ mile, and then they then crucified him on it.

Three Days ago- Some of them were there and watched him suffer for hours, straining to breath as his shredded back ran up and down on that cross trying to gasp for air as the nails sent severe stabbing pain throughout his body.

Three days ago, they watched Jesus and the hope HE promised them die.

The very creator of the universe died, and HIS creation shook in horror as the very voice who called the universe in existence fell into silence.

It’s been three days. Three very long days in this valley, all while being hunted by the temple officials who wanted them to meet the same fate as their leader.

Keep all of that in mind as we now witness the greatest story ever told

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Joh 20:1-10 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. (2) So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!” (3) At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. (4) The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. (5) Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. (6) Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. (7) The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. (8) The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. (9) For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. (10) Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.

Prayer

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In John 20, we meet four people who encountered the risen Christ on and following that first Easter morning:

Mary Magdalene, Peter, John, and Thomas.

Each person talked about in this chapter of the bible responded very differently to the resurrection.

I’m very grateful that God the Holy Spirit inspired John to include this chapter in the bible. It shows us that believers are not a cookie cutter people- God calls a variety of different personalities into HIS Kingdom.