My Lord and My God

John 20:1-31

Key Verse 28

“Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Introduction:

The author wrote this passage with the condition that the audience had been familiar with three synoptic gospels being written long time ago. So rather than focusing on what had happened in a descriptive way, he focused on retrospective reflection with three division about Mary Magdalene, 10 disciples, and Thomas. He also made the climax through what Thomas confessed. Thomas was the very challenging person who showed his strong opinion no matter what others are saying. He was a man of doubt. But Jesus served him to the end without giving up. Finally he was in Jesus’ sheep pen with his own personal faith. Praise the risen Jesus! The author drew the conclusion about the reason why he had to write this fourth gospel on top of three gospels written by Mark, Matthew, and Luke. May the Lord help us to solidify our faith in Jesus and become a faithful and reliable witness of Jesus. 

  

1. Read verses 1-9. When and why did Mary Magdalene go to the tomb? (1a; Mk 16:1) What did she discover and how did she react? (1b-2) How did Peter and the other disciple react and what does it show about them? (3-5) What was their observation and the significance of the empty tomb (6-9)?

Read verses 1-9. 

 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

When and why did Mary Magdalene go to the tomb? (1a; Mk 16:1) 

Early morning of the first day of the week- indicates the new beginning

Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.

Jesus saved her from her past life. She was thankful to Jesus in that she was set free from seven demons. One day she poured out her perfume on Him without reservation. 

She was beneath the cross at the time of crucifixion. She couldn’t leave Jesus. 

Although several women went there(2), still Mary became a witness and stayed there to the end. As a result she was able to meet Jesus for the first time.

She became the first witness of Jesus resurrection. 

What did she discover and how did she react? (1b-2) 

She found that the stone had been rolled away, instead of examining the inside of tomb, she ran and reported it to Simon and John.

The stone was heavy and at least several people must exert themselves to move. 

But it had been rolled away, indicating(insinuating) that there will be a brand new beginning.

How did Peter and the other disciple react and what does it show about them? (3-5) 

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 

The younger the faster. But Peter looked into the tomb first.

The author vividly described what had happened that time without forgetting the detail.

He intentionally explained these so that he was there as a witness of resurrection.  

What was their observation and the significance of the empty tomb (6-9)?

Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

First, No thief was supposed to make the clothes or linen in order. 

They understood that the body of Jesus was gone but they could not reach to the conclusion that the scripture has been fulfilled. 

Second, Again the author described the scene in terms of time sequence. In this way he testify what had happened in order. 

Third, It was not a kind of prefabricated story, but a actual story of Jesus’ resurrection by direct witness such as Mary, John, and Peter in light of reaching the scene!

2. Read verses 10-18. Why did Mary remain and what did the two angels say to her? (10-13) How did Jesus reveal himself to Mary and how did she respond? (14,15) When did she recognize him? (16) What did Jesus ask Mary to do and how did she obey? (17,18)

Read verses 10-18. 

10 Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

   “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

   15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

   Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

   She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Why did Mary remain and what did the two angels say to her? (10-13) 

10 Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11 but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 

She could not leave the place because she wanted to find Jesus’ body when she ran into the gardener. She suspected him to be the very one to stole his body.

How did Jesus reveal himself to Mary and how did she respond? (14,15) 

14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

She did not recognize Him. When Jesus called her, she misunderstood. 

When did she recognize him? (16) 

 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

It’s by calling her name as a shepherd. Probably when Jesus saved her from seven demons, he should call her same name.   

What did Jesus ask Mary to do and how did she obey? (17,18)

 17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

She had desire to live with Jesus on earth happily ever after. But Jesus asked her to tell the news to other disciples. 

Here Jesus called them “my brothers.”

Also Jesus called God “my Father and your Father”  and “my God and your God.”

It indicates that they formed a brand new eternal family union through Jesus’ death and resurrection. 

In the past man lost the relationship due to sin. 

Jesus paid the full price of sin and death through his death on the cross and resurrection. 

We are being adopted to God through Jesus in the same way.

3. Read verses 19-23. How did Jesus appear to his disciples and what did he say? (19,20) What did Jesus want to do with his disciples? (21b) How did he equip them for the task? (22) What authority was given to them? (23)

Read verses 19-23. 

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

How did Jesus appear to his disciples and what did he say? (19,20)

19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

“Peace be with you”  Jesus repeated twice. 

It is more than casual greeting such as “good evening.”

It is to give them real peace in their troubled and fearful hearts. 

Jesus showed his hands and side as well.

 What did Jesus want to do with his disciples? (21b) 

As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

Jesus wants them to be witness of Jesus’ resurrection. 

When they were overjoyed, they were supposed to listen Jesus’ further instruction. 

They will be blessed and become powerful witness in the hostile world. 

How did he equip them for the task? (22) 

22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 

What authority was given to them? (23)

23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Revelation 21 shows that their names will be very important. Also they have the keys of the kingdom of God just as Jesus gave such key to Simon Peter. 

They came to know Jesus in person and they were able to share such knowledge with many and have them come in the eternal kingdom of God. 

They have no direct authority of sin forgiveness. God entrusted such glorious privilege through their prayer and service for others. 

4. Read verses 24-31. How did Thomas respond to the news of Jesus’ resurrection? (24,25) How did Jesus help Thomas? (26,27) What was his confession? (28) Who are blessed? (29) What was John’s purpose in writing this Gospel? (30,31)

Read verses 24-31. 

 24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

   But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may[HYPERLINK "http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2020&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-26888a"a] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

How did Thomas respond to the news of Jesus’ resurrection? (24,25) 

 24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

   But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

How did Jesus help Thomas? (26,27) 

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

What was his confession? (28)

 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

 Who are blessed? (29) 

 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed!

Although we had no the same chance that apostle Thomas had had, but still we are most blessed according to Jesus’ remark.  

What was John’s purpose in writing this Gospel? (30,31)

 30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus is the Christ

Jesus is the Son of God

Author could have elaborated many things or many signs. But he felt that it was not absolutely necessary in that this book will serve the purpose for the audience to believe the fact that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. 

By believing you may have life in his name!

1 John 5:12 and 20

In conclusion)

According to reliable resource, Thomas became the first missionary to India and went through martyrdom for the glory of God. John became a faithful witness when his companions were gone. Mary Magdalene became a very devoted servant among women. What is the name of the game? It is to be a faithful man and woman of God who keep the truth to the end as a powerful witness of Jesus. Praise Jesus! Amen.  

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