April 4, 2010
Evening Service

St. Jn. 20

 

I would like to look again at all of chapter 20 this evening of John’s Gospel.

 

Joh 20:1-31  The first of the Sabbaths Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, darkness still being on it, and she saw the stone taken away from the tomb.  (2)  Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.  (3)  Therefore Peter and that other disciple went forth and came to the tomb.  (4)  So they both ran together. And the other disciple outran Peter and came first to the tomb.  (5)  And stooping down he saw the linens lying, yet he did not go in.  (6)  Then Simon Peter came following him and went into the tomb. And he saw the linens lying there.  (7)  And the grave-cloth that was on His head was not lying with the linens, but was wrapped up in one place by itself.  (8) 

• This comment is made by the commentators, of the folding of the linens.

not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself: and was plainly the effect of thought, care, and composure; and clearly showed, that the body was not taken away in a hurry, or by thieves, since everything lay in such order and decency; and which was done, either by our Lord himself, or by the angels.

• I also thought it interesting that even though John had beaten Peter to the tomb, he waited on Peter to let him go in first. 

Therefore, then, that other disciple also went in, the one who came first to the tomb. And he saw and believed.  (9)  For as yet they did not know the Scripture that He must rise again from the dead. 

• Psa 2:7  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
• Paul used this Scripture in Act 13:33  God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
• Other Scriptures that told of the Christ’s resurrection;  Psa 16:9  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
• Psa 16:10  For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
• And another; Psa 110:1  A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Peter used these Scriptures;  Act 2:25  For David speaketh concerning him, “I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:  Act 2:26  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Act 2:27  Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  Act 2:28  Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.”  Act 2:29  Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the Patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.

Act 2:30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;  Act 2:31  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.  Act 2:32  This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

(10)  Then the disciples went away again to themselves.  (11)  But Mary stood outside of the tomb, weeping. And as she wept, she stooped down into the tomb.  (12)  And she saw two angels in white sitting there, the one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.  (13)  And they said to her, Woman, why do you weep? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.  (14)  And when she had said this, she turned backward and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 

(15)  Jesus said to her, Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek? Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, Sir, if you have carried Him away from here, tell me where you have laid Him and I will take Him away.  (16)  Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned herself and said to Him, Rabboni! (which is to say, Master!)  (17)  Jesus said to her, Do not touch Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father.

• This statement from the Lord, to one who loved Him so much, is not meant to be hurting in any manner.  There are two suggested thoughts on this statement.  1.  He is just telling her that this is not the time for adoration, or detainment, but to go and tell my disciples that I have risen.  And 2.   Is that He must ascend to the Throne of God untouched by human hands, and present His spilled blood for the atonement sacrifice.

But go to My brothers and say to them, I ascend to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God.  (18)  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had spoken these things to her. 

• Then notice, the same day at evening;

(19)  Then the same day at evening, being the first of the Sabbaths, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, Peace to you!  (20)  And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  (21)  Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you. As My Father has sent Me, even so I send you. 

• A similar passage to the great commission found in Matt. 28.

(22)  And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. 

• This was not a filling of the Holy Spirit, it was just John’s way of making this statement profound.  HE BREATHED ON THEM.  Jesus just wanted them to be sure, and be willing to receive the outpouring when it was time for it to happen.  On the day of Pentecost, around 50 days from then.

(23)  Of whomever sins you remit, they are remitted to them. Of whomever sins you retain, they are retained. 

• Notice the authority given to these disciples that would soon be the leaders of the church.   

(24)  But Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 

• I love this because it is what I tell everyone, “you miss church you will miss something great happening.”  And it is so true, look what you would have missed this morning if you hadn’t been here.

(25)  The other disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Unless I shall see the print of the nails in His hands, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe. 

• Thomas is wanting to walk by sight.  Well, Jesus wants him to be a strong believer with the rest that have seen Him, so what does He do?

(26)  And after eight days the disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said, Peace to you! 

• And after eight days again - That is, on the return of the first day of the week. From this it appears that they thus early set apart this day for assembling together, and Jesus countenanced it by appearing twice with them. It was natural that the apostles should observe this day, but not probable that they would do it without the sanction of the Lord Jesus. His repeated presence gave such a sanction, and the historical fact is indisputable that from this time this day was observed as the Christian Sabbath. See Act_20:7; 1Co_16:2; Rev_1:10.

(27)  Then He said to Thomas, Reach your finger here and behold My hands; and reach your hand here and thrust it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.  (28)  And Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God!  (29)  Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.  (30)  And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.  (31)  But these are written so that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you might have life in His name.

 

MY LORD, AND MY GOD! 

 

We have seen through our studies concerning the Word of the Lord, that indeed this same Jesus, who in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, and came in the flesh, and dwelt among us is none other than Jesus of Nazareth, now our risen Lord, and God.

MAY GOD ADD HIS BLESSINGS TO HIS WORD. 

RECEIVE YE THE HOLY SPIRIT.