Holy Land Tour: Eighth Stop – The Empty Tomb | John 20:1-23

Early on Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

Oh, I believe those are some of the most hopeful words ever written, don’t you? We’re on our eighth stop on our tour of Israel, and we’re opening our Bibles and walking through the stories that increase our faith. We’re learning more and more about Jesus as we follow Him; from person to person and miracle to miracle, and yes, all the way to the cross. But Jesus’ story didn’t end there, and even now when things might seem dark, there is so much hope. I am so excited to dive into John chapter 20 with you right now, so will you join me? Here we go!

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Transcription:

Early on Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

Oh, I believe those are some of the most hopeful words ever written, don’t you? Hi, I’m Erica welcoming you to the Bible for Busy People. It’s our eighth stop on our tour of Israel. My daughter Hannah, is walking in the footsteps of Jesus and all of his faithful followers, and you and I are doing the same. We’re opening our Bibles and walking through the stories that increase our faith. We’re learning more and more about Jesus as we follow him; from person to person and miracle to miracle, and yes, all the way to the cross. But Jesus’ story didn’t end there, and even now when things might seem dark, there is so much hope. I am so excited to dive into John chapter 20 with you right now, so will you join me? We’ve already read the first verse

She ran,

Mary Magdalene did.

…and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.

That would be John. Quick note there.

She said they have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have put him. Peter and the other disciples started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then, Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first, also went in and he saw and believed for until then, they still hadn’t understood the scriptures that said, Jesus must rise from the dead. Then they went home. Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white robed angels, one sitting at the head, and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. Dear woman, why are you crying? The angels asked her. Because they have taken away my Lord, she replied, and I don’t know where they have put him. She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. Dear woman, why are you crying? Jesus asked her. Who are you looking for? She thought he was the gardener, sir. She said, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him and I will go and get him. Mary, Jesus said…

Can you imagine? Can we just pause here for a moment? When Mary recognizes the Lord Jesus. She realizes it dawns on her in this moment, her Lord has risen from the dead. She watched him die. She was one of the women we talked about yesterday who were staring and wondering after Jesus was crucified, and hoping, I believe with all my heart that there was more to the story, and of course there was. Mary was also the woman who had seven demons cast out of her by this same Lord. So, you can imagine what it was like when she realized, okay, nobody came and stole the body of Jesus. No, he’s talking to me. So this is what happens. We pick it up in verse 16,

She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). Don’t cling to me, Jesus said, for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father.

And I believe he said this with such kindness.

But go find my brothers and tell them I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them,

I am sure that she was out of breath when she arrived where they were. I am sure that she was weeping, tears of joy and she said,

I have seen the Lord. Then she gave them his message. That Sunday evening, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them. Peace be with you, He said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord. Again, he said, peace be with you. As the Father has sent me so I am sending you. Then he breathed on them,

Oh, isn’t that beautiful,

and said, receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.

What a moment when the risen Lord appears to his brothers, his friends, his followers, and they realize what Mary said was absolutely true. Now they can say, I have seen the Lord. Can you imagine? I just picture Mary’s face shining and the faces of Jesus’ followers, his brother shining as well. They must have been in awe and in shock and just living in this place of wonder, but I want to point out a few things as we just rejoice together, that Jesus Not only died and was buried, but he rose again defeating death hell and the grave. When he died on that cross and took our sins away, he opened the door of heaven so that you and I could walk in. All we need is our faith in him. That is the only thing that gets you and I to heaven, when we confess with our mouths and believe with our hearts that Jesus died for our sins and rose agai. And we ask for forgiveness and that’s it, and he changes us from the inside out. He loves us exactly as we are. You’re not like a fish that has to be cleaned before you go to him. Go to him and let him clean you. He is the risen Lord. There is nothing he can’t do because he defeated the greatest enemy human beings will ever face death.

Okay, so what I want to point out to you today is the line from the beginning of this story. Mary Magdalene found the stone had rolled away while it was still dark. I want you to know that if you are in a storm right now, and the clouds are swarming above you, there is hope right now. Let this story be Jesus coming to you in the midst of that storm. Walking on the waters of your life and saying peace be with you. Let him breathe the Holy Spirit on you. Rejoice, for there was more to Jesus’ story and there is more to yours. Until next time when you and I celebrate joy bombs in the Psalms. Remember, you are so loved.

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