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The Gospel of John, The Period of Consummation, Part XVII, John 20:1-5 - Lesson 194
Read John 20:1-10
John 20:1, The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
Mary Magdalene, as her name tells us was from Magdala an important agricultural, fishing, and trade center of ancient Galilee.
Mark and Luke indicate that this is the Mary, out of whom Jesus Christ cast out seven devils or demons.
Mary Magdalene was part of the inner circle of supporters of Jesus.
She was a witness of His crucifixion, his burial, the empty tomb and she was a witness of Jesus' resurrection.
She had observed the Sabbath that had ended some 10 or 11 hours ago and she was one of the first to come to the tomb.
Mark tells us that Mary was accompanied to the grave by Mary the mother of James, and Salome.
They came very early in the morning when it was yet dark.
This was not a Sunday morning to sleep in to those devoted to Jesus Christ.
These women knew that there were guards at the tomb.
Matthew records that they felt a great earthquake as they came to the tomb.
Jerusalem was filled with strangers that were probably sleeping outdoors in any sheltered place they could find.
But these women came in spite of any personal danger they faced.
There were not many who were attached to Jesus Christ as Mary Magdalene.
She was totally indebted to him who had released her from the demons.
Her indebtedness matched her affection for him.
How this shows that gratitude is tied to what we believe Christ has done for us.
If we think little of what he has done for us little gratitude is expressed to him.
Her gratitude was great because she had a clear view of the miry clay that Christ had brought her up from.
She knew of the amazing grace that had spared her from the fires of hell and it was revealed in her gratitude.
John is very sparse in his account of the resurrection morning but Matthew describes this event with great detail.
Mat 28:1-8, In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
John continues in verse 2:
John 20:2, Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
Peter and John were together and Mary went most likely to John's house which was in Jerusalem.
She had heard the angel announce the Lord's resurrection but on the way to seek John she reasoned within herself that the authorities had taken the Lord out of the sepulcher.
The authorities had sealed the tomb at the time of burial but had now opened it and removed the body perhaps to forestall rumors of a resurrection.
Maybe they intended to dump the body in a common grave after all perhaps she reasoned.
All she knew was that the grave was now open and what other explanation could there be?
She depended upon her eyes and faith was far from her.
John 20:3,4 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
This was alarming news to Peter and John and it caused them both to run to the sepulcher to find out what had taken place.
Perhaps they asked if Mary had looked into the open tomb and found out that she did not.
Imagine what went through their minds as they ran to the tomb.
Perhaps they recalled the words of Christ as he spoken often of his resurrection.
Perhaps they recalled his words that he was the resurrection and the life.
John tells us that he outran Peter and most likely this was so because John was younger than Peter.
John lived at least sixty years after this event so at this time he was quite young.
John had seen the Lord last while on the cross and had maintained right fellowship with him.
But Peter had not yet been restored into fellowship because of his three denials of the Lord.
Perhaps that also made Peter more cautious.
John 20:5, And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
The fact that John did not go in the sepulcher but waited for Peter provides a glimpse of God's providence.
The law very clearly states: In the mouth of two witnesses shall a matter be established.
It is as if John did not go in in order to keep everything undisturbed so that when Peter came they could both be witnesses of the same thing.
Two men must be present to witness the condition of the grave so as to establish the truth! John did not go in but he looked in and saw the linen clothes lying. |