John 20:11-21
Introduction: There is a time for everything under the sun. Ecclesiastes 3
I. A time for weeping. (v.11a)
A. There is always a time for weeping.
B. We always weep when we lose someone so dear to us.
C. Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus
D. Jesus wept and even had great anguish over the lost.
E. Mary was apparently both anguished and weeping over the loss of life and body of Jesus.
F. We should weep over the need, in our lives, for Jesus death.
G. (Mat_5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.)
II. A time for concern. (vs. 11b-15)
A. Mary is wondering what in the world did someone do with His body.
B. His body was under watch by the Roman guards.
C. How could anyone have moved it without their permission?
D. (Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. )
E. (Psa 16:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.)
F. (Mat 12:40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.)
III. A time for excitement. (vs. 16-18)
A. Mary goes from a hopeless spirit to seeing Jesus and becoming excited.
B. “Teacher?” she says
C. It directly translates to teacher but understand this was a title of great importance in their world.
D. It set someone up as those who we should be accountable too. In other words Lord.
E. She began to hug Him and fall at His feet holding them.
F. Hope returns and the worship begins.
G. Jesus tells her that now is not the time for this worship but that there is still time enough. He is not yet ready to ascend.
H. She most likely did not understand His talk of ascension here but was obedient anyhow.
I. Then she could not help herself but tell others.
J. When you have seen or been with the Lord it is exciting stuff.
K. Our witness of Him is not something we can nor should we hold to ourselves.
L. Why do we struggle to have something to brag about God?
M. Maybe it is because we have not been with Him lately.
IV. A time for showing. (vs.19-20)
A. Jesus now shows Himself to His disciples.
B. These are to be witnesses to His resurrection.
C. God intends that His believers continue to be such witnesses to that resurrection.
D. Understand the disciples were still afraid after seeing His death that their own lives may be in jeopardy.
E. Jesus greets them with peace to calm their fears that they may see Him and trust Him.
F. He shows them proof of who He is.
V. A time for sharing. (vs. 21)
A. Understand this, Jesus came not only to pay the wage for our sin but that we may be witnesses to that fact.
B. A witnesses is someone who shares what they know about an incident.
C. Scripture always requires at least two witnesses for a story to be believed.
D. Jesus showed Himself to more than 500 people before He ascended.
E. The Samaritan woman had to go and share Jesus
F. Mary had to share Jesus
G. Paul had to share Jesus
H. John the Baptist had to share Jesus.
Conclusion:
- Is there a hell? Then let’s share Jesus
- Is there a devil who wants to destroy us? Then let’s share Jesus
- Is there an eternity to be dealt with? Then let’s share Jesus
- Is God still on the throne? Then let’s share Jesus
- Is there a resurrected Christ? Then let’s share Jesus
- Is there hope for our future then let’s share Jesus
- If not then let’s close the doors
- If not then let’s sell the building
- If not then let’s turn this building into a concert hall
- If not then let’s sleep in on Sunday morning
- If not let’s let the shrubs over grow and the paint peel off.
- If not let’s get rid of the buses
- But if there is then we owe God our lives.
- If there is we need to recognize we were bought with a price
- If there is then we need to take up our cross an
