Why Do You Weep? Series

Text: John 20:8-20

Theme: Why do you weep?

Greetings: Happy resurrection Day! The Lord is good and His love endures forever!! Let us greet one another by saying, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19).

Introduction:

The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the beginning of a new dispensation, era, yuga. There are many appearances of Jesus is found in Gospels after the resurrection. But only three separate epiphanies recorded in John 20. Appearance to Mary Magdalene, appearance to 10 disciples in the evening and appearance to Thomas after a week.

On this Easter Sunday, I would like to share three important connectivity of God with us, such as:

The Promises of God – Disciples did not understand (John 20:8)

The Presence of God – Mary did not realise it (John 20:13)

The Power of God – Disciples did not enjoy it (John 20:19).

The Promises of God – Disciples did not understand the scriptures (John 20:8)

Joke:

A little girl became restless as the Pastor’s sermon dragged on and on.

Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered,

“Mommy, if we give him the offering now, will he let us go?”

But mom whispered over to her,

“If you don’t be quiet, Pastor will miss the point and he’ll have to start the sermon all over again!”

On the first day of the week, i.e., on Easter morning, three women went to the graveyard. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James (who is also mother of Jesus), and Salome (Mark 16:1). They reported an empty tomb to the disciples. Then the disciples followed them at one point they out run and went into the tomb but they did not understand the scriptures, the Promises of God.

The Lord has kept his promises for every day, for every situation, every person and for every occasion.

According to George Muller, a Mano of great faith. He says: “Indeed that is true! It has been estimated that there are approximately 30,000 promises in the bible. They are too numerous to count and too numerous to bring all to mind!”. Another man of Bible, named Dakes says there are 366 promises in the Bible to claim each for a day.

Whereas Apostle Peter says: "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises..." (2 Peter 1:4). Further Paul says: "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." (2 Corinthians 1:20).

The promises are kept in the Holy scriptures to aid us in the times of our depression and distress, times of fear and financial need, times of sleeplessness nights and suffering, times of our temptation and trials, times of our trouble, weariness, worry and anxiety.

The Holy Spirit brings the promises to our mind and gives us the Assurance, Confidence, and Faith. The promises of God makes us to understand that God provides (Psalm 23:1), God will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5), God is in control of our situations (Proverbs 19:21), God strengthens us when we are weak (Psalm 28:7–8), and God will make all things right in the end (Revelation 21:1–5). Abraham believed in God and in His promise without wavering.

Some people read the Bible, search the scriptures but not able to understand and apply the Scriptures at times of need. The search for Truth with unbelief always leads to an empty, fearful and useless situation in life. Disciples had forgotten the teaching of Jesus Christ on Resurrection.

Some of us are reading the Bible, having meditation without ceasing, and regular fellowship groups. Yet when we feel dejected, perplexed, and anxious, fail to claim the promises. Claim the promises and enjoy the life.

2. The Presence of God – She did not realise it (John 20:13)

Mary Magdalene was a fantastic blessed woman, the first person to meet the Resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene had great enthusiasm and love for her master and Lord. She lived an unworthy and ugly life but Jesus met her and changed her heart, healed her from seven demons (Luke 8:3).

Mary Magdalene was a strong disciple to sit at the feet of Jesus and to listen to the Word of God (Luke 10:38-42). She had faith in the Person and Power of Jesus (John 11:2, 32). She bathed Jesus with her tears and Alabaster perfume (Luke 7:36-37 & John 8:7). She brought costly perfume and washed feet of Jesus before death (John 12:1-3). However, at the time of fear and confusion, she didn’t feel the presence of God, not able to identify Jesus who was standing with her.

At this juncture her faith she was controlled by science, reasoning, and rationale. She lived with the reasoning and gave place for the science to work its own course.