John 19:38-20:31 (Burial and Resurrection)

The Crucifixion of Jesus had a Profound affect on those who were there.

A)For Mary the Prophecy of Simeon came true….

Her heart was pierced

B) For the Disciples of Jesus – time of confusion-

1) Three yrs of hopes and dreams GONE!

C) For Peter – Anguish – Denied his Lord

D) The thief on the Cross – Eye opening – He becomes a believer

E) For the Centurion – A professor – truly this was

F) For the religious leaders – FINALLY – done with this nuisance

But for two religious leaders – It meant Boldness to finally come out of the Closet John 19:38-42

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.

40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

Here we are introduced to two special men who were both secret followers of Jesus

A)Joseph of Arimathea – he was a member of the Sanhedrin as was Nicodemus

B) Two powerful and important men – both wealthy

1) Tradition says Nic was the 3^rd wealthiest in Jerusalem

C) Both men of Power and Position – Nic was the teacher in Israel

D) These two men – who have been in the shadows as it relates to Jesus/ secret admirers/ followers/ believers

1) Oddly choose this time to make their affections for Christ Known

E) In doing so they would have risked it all

Joseph is mentioned in all four gospels

A)Told he was a just man

A man seeking the kingdom of God

A member of the Sanhedrin – Jewish ruling council

He didn’t agree with the Sanhedrin’s decision to Crucify Jesus

B) Mark 15:43 – He is referred to as a Honorable Council member – KJV –

1) Josephus notes that in the entire history of the Sanhedrin only 14pp were given that title

C) He is also very rich – Matthew

1) From Arimathea – Hill country outside of Jerusalem – But he had purchased a burial spot inside Jerusalem

D) Beautiful garden area – Where he was going to have a tomb constructed for his entire family

E) Now a normal rich man would just buy a cave – to use for a tomb –

1) A very rich man would have a cave made{ carved

Visit Israel there not far from the site of the Crucifixion is a site known as Gordon’s Calvary- Garden tomb

A)Interesting about this site – A tomb that was hand carved out of solid rock– Big enough for an entire family

B) But when British scientist did research on this tomb they noted some interesting finds

C) The tomb was never completed – there is only a spot for one person. { Big enough for several pp

1) And there are no signs of decomposition – it seems that it is a tomb that was never used

D) Or in our case – Only 3 days –

I believe as do many this was the tomb that Jesus was buried in.

A)For one thing it is approx a 150 yrds from the Crucifixion site – it had to be close

B) They were fighting time – the Sabbath

C) Joseph and Nicodemus come out of the Shadows and great risk And thru great personal struggle

According to Numbers 19:11 Both would have been ceremonially unclean 7days for touching a dead body

A)They were risking losing positions – being cut off from families

B)Losing their wealth- no one would want to do business w/ them after this! { All for a dead body

1) Somehow and for some reason they decide I would rather be Jesus disciple – than a member of the Sanhedrin

E) Rather be Jesus disciple than have all the wealth in the world { They had stood by quietly in the who trial/beating & death / but no more

Imagine Joseph thinking about Isa 53:9 He made his death with the wicked – but His grave with the rich

A)Imagine him thinking was that written about me

I am the rich man – providing his grave

B) Imagine him determining I would rather be a part of Prophecy – than the Sanhedrin

C)Imagine these two wealthy men climbing up a ladder w/ a pry bar – prying out the nails

1)Rich men didn’t do that sort of thing

D) Them getting all bloody themselves –

1) Carrying his lifeless body – to the tomb

E) Preparing it for burial – Wash the wounds – body wound be cleaned and bathed

1) Pull out the thorns form his head

Imagine Nicedemous lugging thru the Streets of Jerusalem 100lbs of Spices/ fragrant herbs

A)Someone asking Nicedemous where are you going with all those spices and fragrant herbs

B) He responds to a Burial { Someone commenting – that is enough for a King ! { EXACTLY

C) John’s focus is to present the Deity

1)This scene these two men – LOUD AND CLEAR

D)Incredible display of Love and devotion

20:1 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.

A)Now from the other gospel accounts – we learn there were 3 women who came to the tomb

B)Mary the mother of James – and Salome

1) John focuses on Mary Magdalene – one that Jesus had cast 7 demons out of

C) You were lost – but probably no one here –

7 demons

1) Everyday for Mary was a struggle – Which demon was going to control that day

D) That all changed the day that she met Jesus

1) Mary’s story teaches us that there is no life too difficult for Jesus to cleanse and to change

E) She was a faithful follower for the rest of her life – here we see to the very end.

1)They too were coming with spices – Might have been because Joseph and Nicodemus didn’t finish{ Sabbath

When they arrive at the tomb – they see the Stone has been taken away – Mary runs

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 Peter therefore went out, Peter spontaneous one – immediately heads out

and the other disciple, JOHN and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.

John just has to throw that in – Competition thing

No this is inspired – I believe there is a reason in this comment – not competitive spirit

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;

John gets there first but doesn’t go into the tomb!

A) He looks inside but that is as far as it goes – Peter on the other hand – gets there goes right in

B) John was more of a mystic – Peter was more impulsive & spontaneous

C) Don’t give me a church that is made up of one or the other – both are important and necessary

1) Both have their place in the body of Christ

D) Beautiful Diversity we were talking about Sunday

So Peter goes in v.6b 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.

Peter finds the linen clothes lying there – Idea is like body had risen right out of them

A)And the Linen Handkerchief – that had been around his head – FOLDED in a place by itself

B) Guys make note of that – Jesus leaves a room better than he found it –

1) He does things decently and in order – Good example here –

C) Picking up after Himself – { Jesus would have been a guy – to put the toilet seat down

Seriously – the Whole scene speaks of Rez – Lifted out of grave clothes – Mummy like – Laz Loose him

A)Folding the Head piece – instead of leaving it on the floor – detail – speaking of life

B) When is the last time you heard of thieves who cleaned the house after they ransacked it

C) Well after Peter leads the way John follows

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

Debate: Believed tomb empty of risen -

D) Sad they walked right out of there right past Mary and don’t say a word – leave her there

1) They were Obviously in a dazed

V.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. 13 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"

A)Now these are Brave Angels – Say to a weeping woman – Why are you crying

B) Two possible responses both are dangerous – One: If you don’t know I am not going to tell you”

C) Or they are going to tell you – You could be in for a long story – that might not make sense –

D) Mary tells –

V.13 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

Note that these are two Angels – She doesn’t seem to care! – I have never seen an Angel – I think if I had a I would be pretty impressed – Mary is not even moved

She is so in love with Jesus so concerned with what has happened to Him – She just turns away – but when she did V.14 continues –

and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 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."

Average Jewish woman was around 5’3’ -5’7’

A)Not expecting Mary was an Amazon – Russian women weight lifters – NO

B) Small – But here love so great she is going to carry away the dead lifeless body of a man at 200lbs

C) True love knows no obstacles –

16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" { Recognized the tone

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

A)Literally Rabbi is teacher in a general sense

Rabboni makes it personal – My teacher / My Lord

B) Term of great affection and allegiance

C) Obvious by the fact that Mary proceeds to cling to Jesus

17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them,'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"

Jesus wasn’t being mean here! Get your hands off of me woman – like she was doing something wrong

A)Basically saying – Hey there will be time for that latter – I have not ascended still going to be around

B) First things first! So you go to tell the Brethren – the Disciples ….. Risen

18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

C) Mary becomes the very first Missionary

1) Note that she is a woman

D) Now I don’t hold to the view that others hold the reason the first person Jesus revealed himself to was a woman because He knew the word would travel faster =

Some guys say that – But I don’t feel that way

E)Liberating woman – Jn 4 Woman at the well is the first person He directly reveals himself to as Messiah

1) Here first person to see him Risen is a woman

V.19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, 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 be with you." 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

First time Jesus appeared to the Disciples – Jesus came and appeared and stood in the midst – Peace

A)Jews believed that when you met someone – said Shalom – literally pronouncing peace

B) Jesus pronounces Peace on them –

1) Now the other gospels tell us that – they were afraid when Jesus appeared

C) They were already hiding in fear behind locked doors for fear of the Jews –

1) But when he appears they are really freaked out

Seeing Him – He responds Peace

D) He offers his hands and side as proof that it is him not a ghost

E)Now in Just a few minutes we will see that Thomas is going to demand to see his wounds as proof

1) This is different here – though – Thomas is going to be rebuked - = note why - let’s continue

21 So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

He was sending them out to reach the world – but not alone – With the Holy Spirit

Ch.14-16 – Talked about promised here it happens

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

A)Now what does this mean – Was Jesus really giving his disciples power to forgive sin.

B) Well to answer that question we must consider the context –

1) Linked with other gospels - Jesus was commissioning his disciples –

C) Go into all the world – preach the gospel – the message of his death and Rez – New life

D) So first of all realize that this statement is connected with that commission

Also recall in Mark 2 Jesus is in Capernaum and He is in a home – Packed –

A)Guys bring friend paralyzed – Can’t get in – roof

Lowered down – Seeing the faith

B) Son your sins are forgiven – The religious leaders immediately Protest –“No one can forgive sins but God”

C) That was true statement: Jesus proceeds to say – So you know that I have the power to forgive sins – ie I am God – He told the man to rise and walk

D) So Only God can forgive Sins – I can’t say ___ I forgive you of your sins – mean nothing

So you put all of that together and this is what v.23 is telling us – Jesus was sending them out to preach the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit

A)Those who believe in that message of the gospel – their sins are forgiven

B) Those who reject that message of the gospel their sins are retained

C) That is the point being made here!

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord."

So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" 27 Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

Now why wasn’t Thomas there? – Starbucks run ?

A)Not sure – but you know people deal with tragedy in different ways

B)Many – they want to be surrounded by all of their friends – for 10 of the 11 that seemed to be the case

C) They are huddled together – But others prefer to be alone – { That would probably be me – truthfully

1) That might have been Thomas – off by himself – trying to process what just happened

D) Whatever the reason He was not there and when he hears the word of the others –

1) Thomas doesn’t believe

Interesting – Thomas is called the twin – but we never learn who his twin is – nameless

A)I wonder if that is on purpose – Because I can be his twin sometimes – You as well –

B) We can be just like this – Not believing unless I see it ! I need proof

C) Thomas Protest – and suddenly Jesus appears –

1)Brings up the words of Thomas spoken 8 days before – Here Thomas touch me

D) Jesus is so tender – so patient – so caring –

1) He doesn’t scold Thomas – doesn’t kick him out of the group - LOVE THAT

E)Simply says Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

Now this is a powerful double Statement made by Thomas – First He says My Lord –

A)Statement reflecting personal surrender – you are my Lord

B) Then He says My God – that is a statement ascribing Deity

C) The two are important for Salvation –{ Believe Jesus is God –

1) Make Him – MY LORD

D) Isn’t it awesome – that the Lord desires that personal relationship –

1) My Lord and My God

29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Two thoughts here: Gentle rebuke toward Thomas – He should have believed –

Wonderful promise for us – Even more blessed we who would believe having not seen

Reminder

V.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 that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.