Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Blessed Believers” John 20
The 20th chapter of John relates the next phase of God’s eternal plan. Paul summarized the gospel message to a group of Christians in Corinth.
Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 1 Cor. 15:1-8
Jesus died for OUR sins according to the Scripture and to prove he died, he was buried. Jesus was raised on the 3rd day according to Scriptures and to prove he rose he appeared.
John, an eyewitness of the events, shares how he remembered it.
John 20:1
We learn from the other writers that a huge, heavy stone had been rolled in front of the burial cave and that the religious leaders had convinced Pilate to place a Roman guard detail to prevent anyone from stealing the body and claiming a resurrection had occurred. Mary found the stone moved aside -- no guards – no body. God moved the stone, not so Jesus could get out but so that the disciples could get in.
John 20:2
She is not thinking a miracle had taken place but mischief. She fears that the remains of her Lord will be disrespected. She ran to get help.
John 20:3-10
Even with some pretty convincing evidence in front of their face, these two close disciples failed to connect with the Scripture orchestrating all these events. John believed something out of the ordinary had taken place. Peter, privy to the identical data seemed not yet so convinced. Jesus had been tightly wrapped and bound in fabric layered with some 100 pounds of spices and preservatives. Just by the order in which things appeared dictated a closer examination. If someone had taken the body, they wouldn’t leave the wrappings. If they had unwrapped the body, the wrappings would be all over the place. These wrappings were as if the body had passed right though them.
Peter and John not knowing just what to think or do next went home. John perhaps rejoicing Peter most likely reflecting Mary just hung out and cried.
John 20:11-13
Think about this. Angel sightings were not all that common. Here two angels in glowing white all of a sudden materialize in the previously empty tomb.
You would think Mary would be impressed or at least curious. She had become so fixated on what happened to the body of Jesus that it is the only thing on her mind.
John 20:14-16
Something in the voice, something in the way Jesus spoke brought immediate recognition.
She heard the Master speak her name numerous times throughout the course of her life. “Mary!” Now what would have been your first reaction? Throw your arms around Him of course. This is a controversial passage that has fostered much speculation as to what is going on. Considering the word used and the verb tense, a more accurate translation would be “stop clinging to me.” The word used here means “to handle, cling to, fasten, lay hold of”. The part of speak used is a present tense imperative.
Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; John 20:17a
Jesus seems to indicate a new relationship. He discourages her from fixating on things as they were before. That one-on-one physically focused fellowship is how reserved for eternity. Jesus would be ascending to His father allowing his presence to be experienced simultaneously to all believers in all generations by the coming ministry of the Holy Spirit.
He assigned her to relay the good news of His resurrection to the others. Jesus also instituted another name change. Servants-friends-brothers.
John 20:17b
The evening of that same day the disciples came together with great anticipation.
John 20:19-23
Jesus appeared through closed doors. That had to be a disconcerting thing. Immediately, Jesus set their hearts at ease by pronouncing peace. No one could say “Peace!” like the Prince of Peace himself. My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives, give I unto you. How comforting to note here that Jesus did not come with condemnation or scolding.
He offered them his peace.
He offered them his proof.
He also offered them his purpose
He offered them his power.
We need not get too technical or complicated here. This ministry of the Spirit resembles the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. The Spirit came upon individuals for ministry. This should not be confused with the prophesied coming of the Holy Spirit following the ascension of Jesus. Jesus already told them earlier in John that the Holy Spirit would not come until he left. In connection with a great commission, Jesus provides a great presence in the Holy Spirit.
The next section is a bit more problematic. We must remember that only GOD forgives sins. To me as simple view would be to understand him to say, it is up to them to carry the message of forgiveness. As the Father sent Jesus to proclaim forgiveness of sins, so He sends them to proclaim the forgiveness of sins. If they proclaim the news and it is accepted, people’s sins will be forgiven. If they fail to proclaim the news, people’s sins will remain.
What a day! What a contrast from only a few days previous! From the depths of gloom to the heights of glory. Christ the Lord is risen today. What joy! What renewed hope! What absolute wonder!
One of the disciples missed that joyous night. We can only speculate as to why Thomas was not there that first appearance. It goes to show how important it is not to miss any opportunity.
John 20:24-25
Perhaps his doubt or skepticism prevented him from joining the others the week before.
John 20:26-27
Again, what compassion! Jesus did not rebuke Thomas but reinforced him. Thomas responded humbly. "My Lord and my God!" Jesus then offered a great truth that applies to every single one of us this morning.
Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed."
Not one of us has ever placed our fingers in the hands or side of Jesus. None of us have ever experienced the physical presence of Jesus. How is it that we can believe in someone we have never seen? Jesus indicates here that those who do are blessed, happy, well off, fortunate. How? John’s whole purpose in writing was to encourage belief in those who had not seen.
Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31
Even though we were not there, John and the other disciples were. They saw firsthand the things Jesus did. They heard firsthand what Jesus said. They were eyewitness to more evidence than could be contained in a library of books.
John 21:24-25
John chose representative words and works so that we, who were not there and who did not see firsthand, would also come to believe that Jesus is the Christ; the Son of the living God and in believing have life through His name.
John attended a wedding where he watched Jesus turn ordinary water into the best of wine.
John heard the conversation with Nicodemus where Jesus told of being lifted up to die that whoever believes in Him might have eternal life.
John heard Jesus offer living water to a social outcast that would eternally quench one’s spiritual thirst.
John watched Jesus completely restore the faculties of a man 38-years lame.
John participated in a miraculous feeding of nearly 10,000 very hungry people out of only five loaves of bread and two fish followed by claims to be the source of true life sent from heaven for all men.
John heard Jesus offer freedom to all who would abide in Him.
John stood on the mountain where he saw the unveiled glory of Jesus and heard the unparalleled voice of the Father declaring absolute pleasure in His dearly love Son.
John witnessed Jesus restore sight to a man blind from birth convincingly confirming his claim to be the light of the world and restorer of sight to the spiritually blind.
John heard Jesus claim to be the door to the heavenly sheepfold as well as the good shepherd who leads people there and keeps them there.
John heard Jesus claim to be the resurrection and the life that he who believed in Him would live even if he dies. And shortly after John stood with Jesus in front of Lazarus’ grave when Jesus shouted “Lazarus come forth!” and witnessed the complete restoration of a man dead three days.
Will you consider the eyewitness testimony of John this morning concerning Jesus? Forget the speculation of modern-day so called scholars and historians. None of them were there. John was there! This eyewitness to the resurrected Jesus gives us just enough data necessary to make a decision this morning. If His testimony is accurate as to the words and works of Jesus you must decide. If Jesus is who he claimed to be; the way the truth and the life and the only way to the Father, then your only rational choice is to trust Him.
He who believes (even though he has not seen) in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
Will you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God? Will you embrace Him as your Lord and Savior? If you will, the Holy Spirit through his faithful servant John promises you this.
But as many as received (embraced) Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
As Jesus clearly told a very good, religious person named Nicodemus…
"Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:3-5
Christ is our only hope for life in the Kingdom of God. The same Jesus presented by one who new Him personally as…
• The Lord over nature
• The Living water
• The Bread of Life
• The source of inner rivers
• The Eternal (I AM) Light of the world
• The Restorer of sight to the blind
• The Door and the Good Shepherd
• The Resurrection and the life
• The King of Israel
• The humble forgiving servant
• The way, the truth, and the life
• The true Vine
• The sender of the Holy Spirit
• The Great Intercessor
• The suffering servant
• The Lamb of God
• The Risen Christ
• The coming King
Your response to Jesus must progress beyond acknowledgement as a historical figure or just a highly influential person. He must be embraced as the Christ, the Son of the living God and followed as such. If you know Him – Rejoice in your relationship with Him follow Him more fully. If you don’t know Him – Receive Him! Embrace Him as Savior and Master! Become a child of God today. Enter into a new relationship with the Father Son and Holy Spirit. Receive eternal life (his life) starting here and lasting hereafter.
