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.
In John chapter 20, we see the beautiful, messy complexity of human hearts. These four reactions show us that the resurrection isn’t a one-size-fits-all event—it’s a personal invitation to meet Jesus-
in our grief,
in our seeking,
in our trust,
and even in our doubts.
Today, we’ll walk through most of John 20 to see how these four very different people of faith speak to us, inviting us to encounter the living Christ in a new way.
We are going to start with Peter this morning-
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Person 1: Peter – His Response is one of guilt
Upon hearing that the tomb is empty, Peter doesn’t hesitate.
Verses 3-4 tell us he takes off, racing to the tomb. When he arrives, verse 6 says he goes right in, seeing the linen cloths lying there, neatly folded. But verse 9 adds a telling detail: “They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.”
But this is only half the story-
Remember the last time Peter and Jesus were together?
Peter was denying that he ever knew Jesus- right to his face and even topping it off with a profanity.
The Gospel of Luke 22:62, it says that when Peter uttered that last denial, Jesus turned and looked right at Peter.
The bible further says that Peter ran away and wept bitterly.
Ya think? Put yourself in his position for a moment.
Imagine for a moment- just imagine- you are carrying that kind of guilt with you for the last 3 days. (Pause)
You don’t have to answer, but how many of you have carried that kind of guilt- a failure or betrayal so huge that its weight is crushing your spirit, stealing any semblance of joy, and perhaps even driving you toward wanting to harming yourself just to get rid of that guilt.
Is it any wonder, upon hearing that Jesus was not in the grave, that Peter immediately jumped up and ran to the tomb?
Because everything had been stripped from him- and just like you and I this morning- his only hope was in that empty tomb.
Maybe, like Peter, you’re carrying the weight of past failures, wondering if God still wants you. Peter’s story shows that the resurrection is for those who have messed up in the worst possible ways, and for those needing a fresh start.
That’s what Peter needs right now.
I want to look at one more thing about what Peter saw in the tomb.
If you to look closely at the account in John 20- notice the linen cloths in verse 7, “folded up” neatly.
This isn’t just a sign that Jesus was a good son who made His own bed.
This detail is there to tell us that even in the midst of overwhelming events and chaos- God is still in control. His plan is still on track, and nothing we can do will ever derail his plan.
Even if Peter didn’t understand it immediately, I firmly believe this detail was left for him.
It was Jesus saying- Peter, me being in this tomb was part of the plan. You may not understand it yet, but when you do it’s going to change everything.
Peter shows us that Jesus is with us especially in our largest failures.
That is some awesome news for us this Resurrection Sunday!
Let’s transition now and look at John.
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Person 2: John – The Response of Trust when your world is rocked
John, often called the Beloved Disciple or in the text- the disciple whom Jesus loved.
Upon hearing Mary’s report, John also jumps up and runs to the tomb with Peter.
A small detail in his Gospel makes me smile.
John made sure to say that even though Peter had a headstart- John was still able to outrun him to the tomb and get there first.
People who want to doubt the bible’s veracity and authority can’t explain things like this. If you are going to make up a new religion- is who won a footrace the detail you put into your holy book?
Or is this one spiritual brother grinning at his older spiritual brother for the last 2000 years just to let us all know-
Peter is old and slow.
I love that is in the bible.
You’ll notice thought a little different of a reaction when John gets to the tomb. While Peter pushed past John and ran right into the tomb, John initially stopped at the door.
John pauses at the entrance- perhaps in respect for Peter’s position in the disciples, and let him in first.
When John finally enters, the sight of the empty linens is enough. He doesn’t need to see Jesus yet; he trusts what the empty tomb implies.
John represents those moments when our faith feels instinctive, almost effortless.
He’s the face of trust—the person who hears God’s promise and simply says, “Yes, amen!”
Maybe you’ve had a moment like that: a worship song that brought tears. That happened to me a few weeks ago at work.
For Light duty-I’m alone in the room taking apart old charts and scanning important documents into the server.
I have Spotify playing worship music on the computer.
I had a song comes on that really hit me hard as I remembered God’s mercy and goodness. I had tear in my eyes and one of the psychiatrists picks that moment to walk past. He sees tears in my eyes and asks me what’s wrong.
Those are the kinds of moments where you really feel the presence of God- it’s a quiet assurance that God is real.
That’s why John’s faith and trust are so beautiful for us to see 2000 years later in reading about his response to the resurrection.
However, most people don’t have that simple faith.
In fact, some people are naturally skeptical- they need proof because trust isn’t their starting point. _______________________________________________________________
Point 3: Thomas – Doubting the resurrection
Toward the end of the chapter, we meet Thomas. I really think he has gotten a bad rap over the centuries. Everyone knows him as “Doubting Thomas”
Thomas wasn’t there when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. When they tell him, “We have seen the Lord!” he’s skeptical. Verse 25 records his famous response to the news: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Thomas is the face of doubt—honest, raw, and human.
He’s not a villain; Thomas is us on our hardest days.
Maybe you’ve questioned God’s goodness after a tragedy.
Maybe you’ve wondered if the resurrection is too good to be true.
Maybe the cost of following Jesus as a Christian is feeling like it’s getting too hard.
However, Thomas shows us that doubt isn’t always the opposite of faith—it’s often the doorway to it.
We see this a week later when Jesus appears again.
Jesus doesn’t scold Thomas but invites him: “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe” (v. 27).
Please see Thomas’ reaction- doesn’t need to touch. The presence of Jesus is enough. He responds with one of the most profound confessions of faith in all of Scripture: “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28).
Jesus doesn’t reject Thomas’ conditions; He meets them.
You see, Jesus knows exactly what we need.
Jesus’ actions reflects Psalm 103:14 talking about God that says “He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”
That’s why HE doesn’t rebuke Thomas- Jesus meets Thomas right in his doubting.
Thomas gets to see that Jesus’ wounds are real, He hears Jesus’ voice, and feels HIS presence.
His confession, “My Lord and my God,” is a climax in John’s Gospel, echoing John 1:1’s declaration of Jesus’ divinity.
Here is the important point-
Doubt, when brought to Jesus, leads to worship.
On of the greatest Christian books about defending the faith came through Lee Strobel. Lee was an atheist journalist who was sick of hearing about Jesus, so he set out to disprove the bible and the faith.
After years of applying investigative journalist practices, he came to the conclusion that the bible is real, Jesus is real, and became a Christian and a fierce apologist for the faith.
Lee’s story shows us that doubt can often be the doorway to faith.
If you’re doubting today, don’t hide it. Tell Jesus. Ask your questions, seek His face. The resurrection means He’s not afraid of your skepticism—He’ll meet you with Himself.
And when He does, like Thomas, you might find yourself saying, “My Lord and my God.”
Finally we come to the fourth person and her reaction to the resurrection-
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Person 4: Mary Magdalene – The Response of Grief and Devotion
This story actually started with Mary, but she is a huge part in the story so I waited to do her last.
John 20:1 tells us, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed.”
Notice the setting: it’s dark, both literally, spiritually, and emotionally.
Mary is a woman, traveling in the dark in a very dangerous area to a tomb guarded by very rough soldiers that wouldn’t be very kind to her if they catch her.
But because of her love for Jesus, Mary is drawn to honor him in the Jewish way. Jewish people do something called sitting Shiva, which is a prescribed period of extreme mourning, often near or at the grave of the person who has died. Mary is on her way to sit Shiva for Jesus right outside the tomb and publicly mourn Him no matter the consequences.
She finds the tomb empty with no guards in sight. Mary runs to tell Peter and John, but then later she returns to the tomb, still thinking Jesus’ body had been stolen. She still observes Shiva and is standing outside weeping.
She’s so consumed by grief that when angels speak to her, she barely responds.
Even when Jesus Himself appears, she mistakes Him for the gardener, saying, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him” (v. 15).
Her eyes are so clouded by tears, her heart so weighed down by loss she can’t even see the answer right in front of her.
How many times in our lives has that happened to us? So overwhelmed that we can’t see what is right in front of our eyes.
But then everything changes.
In verse 16, Jesus speaks one word: “Mary.” Her name, spoken by Jesus, pierces through her sorrow.
“Rabboni!” she cries—Teacher! Her grief turns to joy, and Jesus sends her to tell the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” (v. 18).
This next point is very important and I want and need you to see this-
Mary Magdeline- a woman, who in that culture couldn’t be considered a reliable witness.
Mary-the former demoniac
Mary- and possibly even a former prostitute-
becomes the first evangelist of the Christian faith, the first to proclaim the resurrection.
What does Mary teach us?
Mary represents those who approach the resurrection this morning with heavy hearts.
Maybe you’ve lost someone—a parent, a spouse, a child.
Maybe it’s not a person but a dream—a marriage that ended, a career that stalled, a hope and a dream that faded.
Mary shows us that Jesus meets us in our grief.
Jesus doesn’t scold her for crying or forgetting what he taught her for three years.
Jesus gently calls her by name,
Jesus is gently calling your name this morning.
Mary’s story echoes Isaiah 43:1: “I have called you by name; you are mine.”
Here is a big idea- Her transformation from mourner to messenger shows that EVEN grief, when offered to Christ Jesus, WILL become worship, and even become a conduit for witness.
So, if you’re carrying sorrow today, don’t rush past it. Bring it to the empty tomb. Stand there, even in the dark, and listen. Jesus is calling your name, ready to turn your tears into your testimony.
Conclusion
Church, what does Peter’s guilt, John’s trust, Thomas’ doubt and Mary’s grief teach us?
Jesus met each person right where they were- at the point of their deepest need and each met the risen Christ in their own way.
It shows us that the resurrection isn’t a distant event; it’s a living reality that transforms every heart it touches.
Are you seeking forgiveness and absolution, like Peter? Keep running to Jesus, trusting He’ll guide your steps.
Are you trusting quietly, like John? Share that gift with someone who needs it.
Or are you doubting, like Thomas? Share your doubt with Jesus and Be honest—HE already knows it’s there, and Jesus can handle it.
Are you grieving a loss, like Mary? Bring it to the tomb and listen for His voice.
Where are you this morning?
This week, take one step toward the risen Christ. Read John 20 again. Pray through your emotions. Share your story with a friend. The resurrection means Jesus is alive, and He’s calling you—by name, by purpose, by faith, by truth.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus, thank You for rising from the dead, not just for the world, but for us. Meet us where we are—grieving, seeking, trusting, or doubting—and draw us to Yourself. Help us live as resurrection people, sharing Your hope. Amen.
Altar Call- In Christ Alone/Solid Rock
