Let’s Talk About Jesus - A Journey Through the Gospel of John

John Chapter 20 - Jesus the Risen Lord

At the end of chapter 19 Jesus has just dies from crucifixion and has just been laid to rest in the tomb provided by Joseph of Aramethea. 

Let’s Get Started

John 20:1-2

Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been 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.”

The Case of the Missing Body

FRAUD THEORY - Someone stole it

Evidence Against It - Roman guards were posted, so no one could steal it. 

Disciples didn’t believe Jesus was going to rise; if Jesus enemies had taken it, they would have produced the body to show he didn’t rise; disciples wouldn’t have died for fraud.

SWOON THEORY - Jesus didn’t really die; He passed out

Evidence Against It - Jesus’ wounds (hands and feet pierced with nails, side pierced with sword) were so bad He couldn’t have gotten up and walked away.

Soldiers didn’t break His legs because He was dead.

After hanging on the cross, He wouldn’t have had enough strength to roll away a rock that weighed two tonnes and fight the guards to escape.

GHOST THEORY - Disciples only thought they saw Jesus alive

Evidence Against It -

Disciples didn’t expect to see Jesus alive. Jesus had a real body after resurrection.

Apply It - You may not have much to give Jesus either. You may not have the opportunity or ability to do great things for Him. But you can give Him your love and devotion like these women did.

John 20:3-7

3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.

Race for the Tomb

John 20:8-9

8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

Seeing is Believing!

John 20:10-12

10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

Angel Encounter

John 20:13-14

13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”

14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.

Missing Body Shows Up

John 20:15-16

15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

Jesus in the Flesh

Accept Jesus today

Romans 10:9

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved