The Miracle Of Miracles
Preaching
Preaching the Miracles
Cycle A
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. 4They both ran, but the other disciple out ran Peter and reached the tomb first; 5and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, 7and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. 8Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples went back to their homes.
11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13They 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." 14Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." 18Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord;" and she told them that he had said these things to her.
The miracle of the resurrection is the miracle of all miracles. There was none greater and there will be none greater. It is not a miracle by Jesus but a miracle of Jesus. The miracle was the work of God the Father: "whom God raised from the dead (Acts 4:10)." The whole Christian religion stands or falls on the reality of the resurrection. In On Being a Christian Hans Kung wrote, "Without Easter there is no Gospel, not a single narrative, not a letter in the New Testament. Without Easter there is no faith, no proclamation, no worship, no mission in Christendom."
Because of the resurrection, Christians worship Jesus as Lord, Son of God, Savior. His rising from the dead confirmed what he said about himself: "The Father and I are one (John 10:30)." Because he rose, the cross was not a martyr's death for a good cause but was the atonement for the sins of the world. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself (2 Corinthians 5:19)." Because he lives, the church turned the sabbath from Saturday to Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. Each Sunday the church observes the miracle of the resurrection. Because he rose and ascended to his Father, we have the Holy Spirit and look forward to his return for the ultimate victory over the world. In the light of the resurrection, we live with assurance that life is stronger than death, love greater than hatred, and goodness than evil. By his resurrection Jesus conquered humanity's last and greatest enemy, death.
Because of the infinite importance of the resurrection, we need to be sure that it really and truly happened. Was the resurrection historically true or the wishful thinking of the disciples who passed on the idea to later generations? Is the resurrection a reality or an ideology? Did he physically rise or does he live only in the minds of his followers? Is he alive only because I believe he is alive? Does he live only when the kerygma is proclaimed? With these questions in mind, we take a fresh look at the Easter story. Hopefully we will come to the conclusion of Mary Magdalene, "I have seen the Lord."
While Easter is the greatest Sunday of the church year celebrating God's supreme miracle, for some preachers it is the most difficult Sunday for preaching. We preach about it year after year. What can we say that is fresh and new? The people are familiar with the story. They have heard many Easter sermons. To make the Easter sermon interesting and moving, what can we say, what new approach can we take, what new insights do we have? Easter, therefore, is the most challenging Sunday of the year for a preacher.
Acclimation
The Situation
Before the sun came up on an Easter Sunday morning, approximately 30 A.D., several women including Mary Magdalene came to the tomb where Jesus was laid. Mary Magdalene was shocked to find the stone in front of the tomb removed and the tomb empty. At once she ran to tell Peter and John. In response, the two men ran to the tomb. John out ran Peter and reached the tomb first. He looked in and saw the grave clothes but did not enter the tomb. However, Peter went into the tomb and also saw the clothing. Having inspected the tomb, the two men returned to their homes.
However, Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb and was weeping. Two angels asked her why she was weeping. She explained that the body of Jesus was taken and she did not know where it was. Then Jesus appeared and asked her the same question. Thinking he was the gardener, she asked him where he put the body so that she could take care of it. Jesus then revealed himself to her by saying her name, "Mary." At once she recognized him and embraced him. He told her not to hold on to him because he had to return to his Father in heaven. He instructed her to tell the disciples that he was alive. She did just that! She rushed to the disciples to tell them she saw Jesus and related to them her conversation with the risen Christ.
The Setting
John 20:1-18 is the first part of a larger unit dealing with appearances of the risen Lord. In addition to appearing to Mary Magdalene, the risen Christ appears twice to the assembled disciples. Chapter 20, according to scholars, is the final chapter of John's gospel. Chapter 21, dealing with the re-instatement of Peter, is considered an appendix.
Chapter 20 is peculiar to John. The other evangelists do not report the events as John does. He tells the story from his own perspective according to his theology. He has one purpose in mind: to convince his readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God so that they might have life (v. 31).
John's account of the Easter event shows that the resurrection was a totally unexpected event. The women and disciples were totally surprised to learn of Jesus' rising from death. They went to the tomb only to care for a dead body. Not only did they find an empty tomb but a living presence. This unexpected experience proves that the resurrection was not a cunningly devised fable or myth or the result of wishful thinking. They know Jesus was alive because historically, realistically, factually the risen Jesus was encountered.
Related Passages
John 10:1-5 - Sheep know the voice of their Shepherd.
Acts 4:8-12 - The resurrection was the work of God.
Acts 17:16-18 - St. Paul preached the resurrection.
Romans 6:1-11 - Christians share in Christ's resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:3-11 - Additional appearances of the risen Lord.
Philippians 2:3-11 - God raised Jesus to receive honor and glory.
The Church Year
The very first event to be celebrated by the church was Easter, the resurrection. The rest of the church year gradually developed according to events before and after Easter. The early Christians met on the first day of each week to celebrate Jesus' rising from the dead. Eventually the sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday. While this is still true today, the church has set aside a season to celebrate Easter in a special way. Easter is not a one-day celebration but a season of seven Sundays. They are not called "Sundays after Easter" but "Sundays of Easter." To reflect the tone of Easter, the paraments are white, the color of joy and festivity. The "alleluia" is returned to the liturgy. Sunday after Sunday the church continually celebrates the feast of the risen Christ. This indicates the central position of the resurrection in the Christian religion.
The Lectionary
Lesson 1 (Acts 10:34-43). In his sermon addressed to Cornelius and his friends Peter reviews the ministry of Jesus which culminates in the resurrection. Peter makes clear that it was God who raised Jesus from death. The risen Christ appeared not to all people but to chosen witnesses including Peter.
Lesson 2 (Colossians 3:1-4). The resurrection of Christ calls for believers to seek things that are above, heavenly things. Whatever is good, true and lovely Christians are to attain. Christians are to be heavenly-minded people rather than worldly slaves to wickedness.
Gospel (John 20:1-18). Early on Easter morning Mary Magdalene with other women find an empty tomb. She reports it to Peter and John who race to the tomb and find it empty. The disciples go home but Mary Magdalene stays. She mistakes the risen Lord for the caretaker. When he speaks her name, she recognizes him. She returns to the disciples with good news, "I have seen the Lord!"
Liturgical Propers. The Psalm of the Day (Psalm 118:14-24) harmonizes with the Easter message: "I shall not die, but live (v. 17)." In the Prayer of the Day we gratefully say that "by his glorious resurrection you (God) delivered us from the power of death." The Hymn of the Day is Luther's "Christ Lay in Death's Strong Bands." It is a hymn of triumph over death. All three Lessons and Propers appropriately deal with the resurrection.
Explanation
Mary Magdalene (v. 1). Next to the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene was probably the most prominent woman during the days of Jesus. She came from Magdala, a small fishing village off the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Luke tells us that Jesus drove seven demons out of her (8:2). She was one of the three women at the cross (John 19:25), faithful to the very end! All four evangelists mention her as one of the women who came to the tomb. She is not to be identified with the unnamed woman in Luke 7:36-50 who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Nor is she to be identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The NIV Study Bible declares: "She (Mary Magdalene) is not to be confused with the sinful woman of Luke 7 or with Mary of Bethany."
Early (v. 1). In the Easter account there is a sense of urgency and excitement. Mary Magdalene and the other women came so early to the tomb that it was still dark. They could not wait to go to the tomb. When Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty, she "ran" to tell Peter and John. Then Peter and John engaged in a foot race to the tomb with John, the younger, winning the race. There is an eagerness to see, to know, to experience.
Tomb (v. 2). It was a donated tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and located in a garden close to the place of crucifixion. It is noteworthy that it was carved out of solid rock - no means of escape except through the opening over which was placed a great barrier. Except for grave clothes, they found the tomb empty. Mary Magdalene's first thought was that the body was stolen. It never entered her mind that Jesus could be alive. To this day, the empty tomb in itself is no proof of the resurrection. It is negative circumstantial evidence. But, it does say to us that the resurrection is based upon a hard, cold fact of reality. It is specific and concrete and not a story or figment of the religious imagination of one who wants to believe in the resurrection.
Napkin (v. 7). Here is an important detail of the empty tomb. The grave clothes were there, but the napkin which covered the face of the dead Jesus was neatly rolled up and in a place by itself. This says something about the resurrection. It was not a violent disappearance as though the body was stolen. Jesus rose calmly and without haste. You can see him taking the napkin off his face, folding it and placing it on the side. There was no rush, no confusion, no violence.
Believed (v. 8). The empty tomb resulted in two opposite reactions. For Peter, the vacant tomb with grave clothes meant nothing in terms of the resurrection. For John, they caused him to believe that Jesus had risen. Though he had not yet seen the risen Christ, he believed on the basis of the evidence. Jesus said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29)." Today we are in the same situation. We believe though it is not possible to physically see the risen Lord on earth.
Angels (v. 12). Two angels dressed in white confronted Mary Magdalene with a question. Who are the angels? They are messengers and representatives of God. Their appearance tells us that Jesus' resurrection was a divine operation. God had a hand in this. It was God's work. He raised Jesus. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus was God's plan to reconcile the world to himself.
Why (vv. 13, 15). Both the angels and Jesus asked Mary Magdalene "why" she was weeping. Surely they knew without asking. It is normal for one to weep at the grave of a loved one. Why then did they ask? Was it to help her realize that there was no reason to be sad? Why weep over the unknown resting place of a dead body? It is dead no matter the place. Why weep if the person is alive? It is foolish to weep for the living.
Know (v. 14). Mary Magdalene did not recognize the risen Jesus. She thought he was the caretaker of the garden. It was only when Jesus said "Mary" that she recognized him by the way he said it and by the tone of his voice. Why did she not know him? Is the risen Jesus different from the earthly Jesus? Was the glorified body different? It was different in the way he could enter a closed room and disappear as in thin air. Yet he challenged Thomas to put his finger into his wounds suffered on the cross. The risen body was mysterious - a physiospiritual body, a glorified body for both physical and spiritual realms. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul says that Christians will at death be given a similar body fit for heaven.
Rabboni (v. 16). Mary Magdalene exclaimed, "Rabboni," translated "teacher." Rabboni is a form of the word "rabbi," which was used exclusively in addressing God. By this term, Mary Magdalene acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, God's Son.
Hold (v. 17). Naturally Mary Magdalene wanted to throw her arms around the risen Jesus and give him a warm hug. But, Jesus asked her to release him, for he had to ascend to his Father. Mary Magdalene had to learn that a change had taken place. He was no longer a Jesus to live on earth. This was the risen Lord soon to leave for heaven. We cannot keep the finite, earthly Jesus as one of us. It is not well for us to hold on to past experiences. We must let Jesus go to his final glory at the right hand of the Father.
Seen (v. 18). Here is the final proof of the resurrection. Mary Magdalene tells the disciples, "I have seen the Lord." It is a personal, existential experience. The resurrection's reality does not stand on rational arguments, on theological teachings, or on pious "faith," but on a personal experience with Jesus. There are many opportunities to see Jesus today in everyday living.
Application
Relevance Of Revelation.
1. Belief in life after death. According to a Gallup poll, over one-fourth of Americans do not believe there is life after death. Gordon Liddy, sentenced to 21 years in prison for his part in the Watergate scandal, appeared on the David Letterman television show. Letterman asked Liddy, "What happens when we die?" "We are food for worms," replied Liddy. "That's all?" asked Letterman. "That's all," said Liddy.
2. The significance of Easter. In a survey taken between 1979 and 1985 Gallup poll learned that three out of every 10 teenagers do not know the significance of Easter. Easter sermons are needed to explain the truths of Easter: (1) There is life after death; Christ conquered death for us. (2) Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior. (3) We have hope of eternal life by faith in Christ.
3. The resurrected body. Among liberal theologians there is a denial of the resurrection of the physical body. For them it is a spiritual body, a matter of faith rather than a real, physical body. They claim that the spiritual presence of Christ is the power of the New Being. Some, like Alex McCowen who recites from memory the entire book of Mark in a one-man Broadway show, say, "I personally don't think it matters literally whether Jesus arose. His influence lived on in the lives of his followers." Bultmann understood the resurrection as "Jesus being risen into the kerygma of the church." Reinhold Niebuhr, considering the resurrection that points to nothing more than the human desire to believe in the meaningness of life, flatly denied the physical resurrection: "I have not the slightest interest in the empty tomb or physical resurrection."
4. A faith story. Today it is popular to tell stories. Some claim that our faith is rooted not in abstract theological discourses but in stories which are supposed to empower us. Is the Easter resurrection a reality or a faith story? Is it based on the historical, real and concrete resurrection, or is it a legend, myth or a product of the imagination? Novels are usually stories that have no historical basis and yet they may teach a lesson or express a truth. Could the resurrection be a rumor that as time went on the rumor was taken for a fact? Today millions of people believe Elvis Presley, who died of a heart attack in 1977, is alive. His fans claim that he faked his death to have peace and quite from his fanatic fans. The Easter story of the resurrection is more than a story; it is a historical concrete event of an empty tomb and a personal appearance.
Sermon Suggestions
Minor Themes. The Easter gospel lesson contains minor themes which would not be appropriate for the chief Easter Sunday morning service. Minor themes can be used for subordinate services on Sunday evening or during the week following Easter Sunday. It is the difference between the main show in the big tent and the side shows.
1. Love believes (20:1-8). John identifies himself as "the one whom Jesus loved (v. 2)." When Peter and John inspected the empty tomb, it is reported that only John believed that Jesus was alive. Love and faith are closely allied. When one loves, it is easy to believe in the loved one. One who hates Jesus would hardly believe in the resurrection.
2. A Foot Race (20:3-10). When Mary Magdalene reported the tomb was empty, Peter and John raced to the tomb to check it out. Being the younger, John reached the tomb first. They could not wait to find out the truth. They were eager and excited. This same eagerness was expressed by the women who could not wait for the rising sun. They went to the tomb while it was still dark. Are we that eager to come to Jesus, to confess him as Lord, to go to church to worship him and to follow him in service?
3. Cutting the Cord (20:17). Instinctively Mary Magdalene grabbed hold of the risen Jesus to hug him. She was so glad to see him alive, for she loved him so very much. It is natural to embrace those we love when we have been separated for a time. But, Jesus had to tell her that she should not hold him because he had to return to his Father. There are times when we, too, must let go. We can fight to stay alive, but the time comes to die by letting go and going to Jesus. Parents are wise when they let go of their growing children that they might live their own lives. To overcome grief there is the necessity to let go of departed ones and not try to live in the past.
4. Too Good to Keep (20:1-1 7). Jesus rose from the dead - so what? Should we do something about it? After inspecting the empty tomb, Peter and John "went back to their homes (v. 10)." They said and did nothing. But Mary Magdalene, instructed by Jesus, went to the disciples with an account of her experience with the risen Lord and shouted with joy, "I have seen the Lord." Easter has a message of evangelism: "Go and say." The difference between saying nothing and telling is in a first-hand experience with Christ. The Easter story is so wonderful that it is too good to keep to oneself.
Major Themes
1. The Missing Body (20:11-18). The empty tomb is a major part of the Easter account. Mary Magdalene was upset over the missing body of Jesus. People have interest in the resurrected body. Is it a physical or a spiritual body? If it is a spiritual body, how is it possible to recognize it or for it to communicate? If we rise with Christ, will our bodies after death be physical or spiritual or both?
2. The Real Thing! (20:1-18). Is the resurrection fact or fiction? Is it just a story like Cinderella or The Three Little Pigs? These have no historical basis. Is the resurrection only a faith story or is it real? If we just think it is true or have faith it is so, then we are subject to illusion and eventually to despair. Our faith would be built on a hoax.
3. A Personal Experience (20:11-18). The final proof of the resurrection is one's personal experience with the living Christ. Rational arguments and doctrinal statements are insufficient. As it was for Mary Magdalene, we need a personal experience to accept the resurrection. He needs to come and live in our hearts. Then for sure we will know he is risen.
4. Believing without Seeing (20:1-8). It was fine for Mary Magdalene to have a personal experience with the risen Christ. But, we today are more in the position of John. He inspected the empty tomb and saw the grave clothes. On this he was led to believe that Jesus was alive. Though he did not see Jesus, he believed. In the same way, we cannot have a resurrected Jesus to come to us in bodily form. We cannot literally see him or hear his voice. Nevertheless, on the basis of the evidence of his resurrection, we can believe he is alive.
5. The Big Difference (20:1-18). For some Easter is a time for flowers, new clothes, an Easter parade or a vacation. It is time for some to go to church and sing "Alleluia" and listen to Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." But, do we know the significance of Easter? Now we learn the huge difference Easter makes: the divine nature of Jesus, the conquest of death, and the assurance that love and life are stronger than hatred and death.
Sermon Structures
1. Sunsets to Dawn (20:1-18). Clement of Alexandria: "Christ turns all our sunsets into dawns." Mary Magdalene came to the tomb before the dawn. The empty tomb and the appearance of Jesus turned her sunset into the dawn of a new day and life. The resurrection does this for every believer.
A. Sunset of sadness into the dawn of joy
B. Sunset of despair into the dawn of hope
C. The sunset of doubt into the dawn of faith
D. The sunset of death into the dawn of life
2. Where is Jesus' Body? Or The Case of the Missing Body (20:1-18). The whereabouts of Jesus' body caused Mary Magdalene concern. She thought it was stolen or removed by the gardener. Where can we find the body of Jesus today?
A. In the tomb? Yes, if we do not accept the resurrection.
B. In heaven? Yes, he is seated in power and glory at the right hand of God.
C. In the church? Yes, the church is his body (Colossians 1:18).
3. "I Have Seen the Lord" (20:1-18). After a first-hand experience with the risen Lord, Mary Magdalene exclaimed to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord." This personal experience was proof that he rose from the dead. It is the final proof of the resurrection. How does one get this experience? We copy Mary Magdalene's experience.
A. She saw Jesus - v. 14
B. She heard the voice of Jesus - vv. 15-16
C. She touched Jesus - v. 17
4. Would You Recognize Jesus? (20:15-16). If you saw the risen Jesus, would you recognize him? At first Mary Magdalene thought Jesus was the gardener. Could she not see him because of her tears? Was it due to the fact that she had no idea that he would rise? Consider how some were able to recognize him.
A. Mary recognized him by his voice - 20:16
B. Two Emmaus men recognized him in the bread - Luke 24:31
C. Thomas recognized him by his scars - 20:27
5. Where Can Jesus be Found Today? (20:11-18). The women and disciples did not find the risen Christ in the tomb. He is alive but he is here, there and everywhere. Where can we find Jesus today?
A. Mary Magdalene found him in her distress - 20:11-18
B. In the needy - Matthew 25:31-46
C. In the Holy Communion - Luke 24:28-32
D. In worship - Matthew 18:20
6. Two Kinds of Easter Faith (20:1-18). In today's gospel lesson we see two kinds of faith.
A. The faith of seeing - Mary Magdalene
1. The empty tomb, grave clothes, angels did not lead to faith
2. Faith came from a personal encounter with Jesus.
B. The faith of not seeing - John
1. His faith was based on evidence: empty tomb, grave clothes
2. Faith without seeing is the faith for our day
Illustration
The Case of the Missing Body. On Christmas day, 1977, at the age of 88, the famous comic star, Charlie Chaplin, known affectionately as the "Little Tramp," died. He was buried in a Swiss cemetery. A couple months later a grave-digger discovered that Chaplin's body was gone; his grave was empty. All that could be seen was a deep hole where the casket had been. It was a mystery as to who stole the body, why it was stolen, and where the body was. The Chaplin family needed a detective like Sherlock Holmes, an Agatha Christie or a Columbo to solve the mystery of the missing body. On the first Easter Mary Magdalene needed a detective, for weepingly she said, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."
The Butterfly of Resurrection. The butterfly is a symbol of the resurrection. In the Callaway Gardens of Georgia there is the largest free-flight, glass-enclosed conservatory in North America for the display of 1,000 butterflies. They are in a 7,000-foot conservatory covering 4 1/2 acres. The butterfly is the product of a metamorphosis. It lays an egg. In two weeks the egg becomes a caterpillar which in two more weeks eats itself fat. In another two weeks the caterpillar becomes a chrysalis. At the end of two weeks a metamorphosis takes place in the chrysalis and out comes a butterfly which has on the average a life span of only two weeks. Jesus' tomb is like a chrysalis. Out of the tomb comes new life as beautiful as a butterfly.
O For a Voice to Praise! W. E. Sangster, a distinguished preacher of a former generation, felt an uneasiness in his throat. He went to a doctor who told him he had an incurable disease of progressive atrophy. He was told his voice would eventually fail and he would be unable to swallow. He continued his ministry by writing. At length his voice disappeared. On Easter morning a few weeks before he died, he wrote in a letter to his daughter, "It is terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout, 'He is risen!' but it would be still more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout it."
Longing for Life after Death. Some are turning to science to guarantee them life after death. Cryonics is a science that will freeze a person's remains after death to preserve them for later life. Bodies are stored in eight-and-a-half-foot high stainless steel capsules at 320 degrees below zero at a cost of $100,000. The plan is to defrost the body when science has discovered the cure for what caused the death. Life can then supposedly continue. The Reanimation Foundation now has 14 people, three dogs and one cat frozen waiting for a cure.
In 1832 Jeremy Bentham tried to defy death. He had his skeleton dressed in his clothes with a wax head and hands. To this day it can be seen at University College, London.
Easter Eggs. Throughout history an egg was the symbol of the beginning of life. Ancient Egyptians put eggs in tombs. The Greeks put eggs on top of graves. The Romans said, "All life comes from an egg." The early Christians used eggs as a symbol of the resurrection. Jesus' tomb was like an egg that has no exit; it was carved out of solid rock with a boulder at the entrance. An ancient legend says that Simon of Cyrene was by trade an egg merchant. Upon his return to his farm after the crucifixion he discovered that all his eggs turned multiple colors. To this day Christians color Easter eggs.
Resurrection Requires Prior Death. At Easter it is easy to confuse resurrection with resuscitation. One Easter a pastor gave a sermonette to the children. He displayed an Easter lily and told how the lily came out of an apparently dead bulb which he also showed. The fallacy of the display was in the fact that the bulb was not dead. It was very much alive and in due time produced the lily. The bulb was resuscitated by the nourishment of the ground. Resurrection does not result from slumber nor hibernation. It comes out of death never to die again. The renewal of nature in the spring is not a correct analogy of the resurrection. One cannot have a resurrection without a prior death. This is emphasized by the creed which says that Jesus was crucified, dead and buried. John Varley, Yellowstone National Park's chief of research, assured the country that the fire of 1988 which burned 989,000 acres of the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone, did not destroy the park. He said, "It is not a re-birth because there was not a death."
11But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; 12and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13They 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." 14Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said to her, "Do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." 18Mary Magdalene went and said to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord;" and she told them that he had said these things to her.
The miracle of the resurrection is the miracle of all miracles. There was none greater and there will be none greater. It is not a miracle by Jesus but a miracle of Jesus. The miracle was the work of God the Father: "whom God raised from the dead (Acts 4:10)." The whole Christian religion stands or falls on the reality of the resurrection. In On Being a Christian Hans Kung wrote, "Without Easter there is no Gospel, not a single narrative, not a letter in the New Testament. Without Easter there is no faith, no proclamation, no worship, no mission in Christendom."
Because of the resurrection, Christians worship Jesus as Lord, Son of God, Savior. His rising from the dead confirmed what he said about himself: "The Father and I are one (John 10:30)." Because he rose, the cross was not a martyr's death for a good cause but was the atonement for the sins of the world. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself (2 Corinthians 5:19)." Because he lives, the church turned the sabbath from Saturday to Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. Each Sunday the church observes the miracle of the resurrection. Because he rose and ascended to his Father, we have the Holy Spirit and look forward to his return for the ultimate victory over the world. In the light of the resurrection, we live with assurance that life is stronger than death, love greater than hatred, and goodness than evil. By his resurrection Jesus conquered humanity's last and greatest enemy, death.
Because of the infinite importance of the resurrection, we need to be sure that it really and truly happened. Was the resurrection historically true or the wishful thinking of the disciples who passed on the idea to later generations? Is the resurrection a reality or an ideology? Did he physically rise or does he live only in the minds of his followers? Is he alive only because I believe he is alive? Does he live only when the kerygma is proclaimed? With these questions in mind, we take a fresh look at the Easter story. Hopefully we will come to the conclusion of Mary Magdalene, "I have seen the Lord."
While Easter is the greatest Sunday of the church year celebrating God's supreme miracle, for some preachers it is the most difficult Sunday for preaching. We preach about it year after year. What can we say that is fresh and new? The people are familiar with the story. They have heard many Easter sermons. To make the Easter sermon interesting and moving, what can we say, what new approach can we take, what new insights do we have? Easter, therefore, is the most challenging Sunday of the year for a preacher.
Acclimation
The Situation
Before the sun came up on an Easter Sunday morning, approximately 30 A.D., several women including Mary Magdalene came to the tomb where Jesus was laid. Mary Magdalene was shocked to find the stone in front of the tomb removed and the tomb empty. At once she ran to tell Peter and John. In response, the two men ran to the tomb. John out ran Peter and reached the tomb first. He looked in and saw the grave clothes but did not enter the tomb. However, Peter went into the tomb and also saw the clothing. Having inspected the tomb, the two men returned to their homes.
However, Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb and was weeping. Two angels asked her why she was weeping. She explained that the body of Jesus was taken and she did not know where it was. Then Jesus appeared and asked her the same question. Thinking he was the gardener, she asked him where he put the body so that she could take care of it. Jesus then revealed himself to her by saying her name, "Mary." At once she recognized him and embraced him. He told her not to hold on to him because he had to return to his Father in heaven. He instructed her to tell the disciples that he was alive. She did just that! She rushed to the disciples to tell them she saw Jesus and related to them her conversation with the risen Christ.
The Setting
John 20:1-18 is the first part of a larger unit dealing with appearances of the risen Lord. In addition to appearing to Mary Magdalene, the risen Christ appears twice to the assembled disciples. Chapter 20, according to scholars, is the final chapter of John's gospel. Chapter 21, dealing with the re-instatement of Peter, is considered an appendix.
Chapter 20 is peculiar to John. The other evangelists do not report the events as John does. He tells the story from his own perspective according to his theology. He has one purpose in mind: to convince his readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God so that they might have life (v. 31).
John's account of the Easter event shows that the resurrection was a totally unexpected event. The women and disciples were totally surprised to learn of Jesus' rising from death. They went to the tomb only to care for a dead body. Not only did they find an empty tomb but a living presence. This unexpected experience proves that the resurrection was not a cunningly devised fable or myth or the result of wishful thinking. They know Jesus was alive because historically, realistically, factually the risen Jesus was encountered.
Related Passages
John 10:1-5 - Sheep know the voice of their Shepherd.
Acts 4:8-12 - The resurrection was the work of God.
Acts 17:16-18 - St. Paul preached the resurrection.
Romans 6:1-11 - Christians share in Christ's resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:3-11 - Additional appearances of the risen Lord.
Philippians 2:3-11 - God raised Jesus to receive honor and glory.
The Church Year
The very first event to be celebrated by the church was Easter, the resurrection. The rest of the church year gradually developed according to events before and after Easter. The early Christians met on the first day of each week to celebrate Jesus' rising from the dead. Eventually the sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday. While this is still true today, the church has set aside a season to celebrate Easter in a special way. Easter is not a one-day celebration but a season of seven Sundays. They are not called "Sundays after Easter" but "Sundays of Easter." To reflect the tone of Easter, the paraments are white, the color of joy and festivity. The "alleluia" is returned to the liturgy. Sunday after Sunday the church continually celebrates the feast of the risen Christ. This indicates the central position of the resurrection in the Christian religion.
The Lectionary
Lesson 1 (Acts 10:34-43). In his sermon addressed to Cornelius and his friends Peter reviews the ministry of Jesus which culminates in the resurrection. Peter makes clear that it was God who raised Jesus from death. The risen Christ appeared not to all people but to chosen witnesses including Peter.
Lesson 2 (Colossians 3:1-4). The resurrection of Christ calls for believers to seek things that are above, heavenly things. Whatever is good, true and lovely Christians are to attain. Christians are to be heavenly-minded people rather than worldly slaves to wickedness.
Gospel (John 20:1-18). Early on Easter morning Mary Magdalene with other women find an empty tomb. She reports it to Peter and John who race to the tomb and find it empty. The disciples go home but Mary Magdalene stays. She mistakes the risen Lord for the caretaker. When he speaks her name, she recognizes him. She returns to the disciples with good news, "I have seen the Lord!"
Liturgical Propers. The Psalm of the Day (Psalm 118:14-24) harmonizes with the Easter message: "I shall not die, but live (v. 17)." In the Prayer of the Day we gratefully say that "by his glorious resurrection you (God) delivered us from the power of death." The Hymn of the Day is Luther's "Christ Lay in Death's Strong Bands." It is a hymn of triumph over death. All three Lessons and Propers appropriately deal with the resurrection.
Explanation
Mary Magdalene (v. 1). Next to the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene was probably the most prominent woman during the days of Jesus. She came from Magdala, a small fishing village off the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Luke tells us that Jesus drove seven demons out of her (8:2). She was one of the three women at the cross (John 19:25), faithful to the very end! All four evangelists mention her as one of the women who came to the tomb. She is not to be identified with the unnamed woman in Luke 7:36-50 who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Nor is she to be identified as Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The NIV Study Bible declares: "She (Mary Magdalene) is not to be confused with the sinful woman of Luke 7 or with Mary of Bethany."
Early (v. 1). In the Easter account there is a sense of urgency and excitement. Mary Magdalene and the other women came so early to the tomb that it was still dark. They could not wait to go to the tomb. When Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty, she "ran" to tell Peter and John. Then Peter and John engaged in a foot race to the tomb with John, the younger, winning the race. There is an eagerness to see, to know, to experience.
Tomb (v. 2). It was a donated tomb by Joseph of Arimathea and located in a garden close to the place of crucifixion. It is noteworthy that it was carved out of solid rock - no means of escape except through the opening over which was placed a great barrier. Except for grave clothes, they found the tomb empty. Mary Magdalene's first thought was that the body was stolen. It never entered her mind that Jesus could be alive. To this day, the empty tomb in itself is no proof of the resurrection. It is negative circumstantial evidence. But, it does say to us that the resurrection is based upon a hard, cold fact of reality. It is specific and concrete and not a story or figment of the religious imagination of one who wants to believe in the resurrection.
Napkin (v. 7). Here is an important detail of the empty tomb. The grave clothes were there, but the napkin which covered the face of the dead Jesus was neatly rolled up and in a place by itself. This says something about the resurrection. It was not a violent disappearance as though the body was stolen. Jesus rose calmly and without haste. You can see him taking the napkin off his face, folding it and placing it on the side. There was no rush, no confusion, no violence.
Believed (v. 8). The empty tomb resulted in two opposite reactions. For Peter, the vacant tomb with grave clothes meant nothing in terms of the resurrection. For John, they caused him to believe that Jesus had risen. Though he had not yet seen the risen Christ, he believed on the basis of the evidence. Jesus said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe (John 20:29)." Today we are in the same situation. We believe though it is not possible to physically see the risen Lord on earth.
Angels (v. 12). Two angels dressed in white confronted Mary Magdalene with a question. Who are the angels? They are messengers and representatives of God. Their appearance tells us that Jesus' resurrection was a divine operation. God had a hand in this. It was God's work. He raised Jesus. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus was God's plan to reconcile the world to himself.
Why (vv. 13, 15). Both the angels and Jesus asked Mary Magdalene "why" she was weeping. Surely they knew without asking. It is normal for one to weep at the grave of a loved one. Why then did they ask? Was it to help her realize that there was no reason to be sad? Why weep over the unknown resting place of a dead body? It is dead no matter the place. Why weep if the person is alive? It is foolish to weep for the living.
Know (v. 14). Mary Magdalene did not recognize the risen Jesus. She thought he was the caretaker of the garden. It was only when Jesus said "Mary" that she recognized him by the way he said it and by the tone of his voice. Why did she not know him? Is the risen Jesus different from the earthly Jesus? Was the glorified body different? It was different in the way he could enter a closed room and disappear as in thin air. Yet he challenged Thomas to put his finger into his wounds suffered on the cross. The risen body was mysterious - a physiospiritual body, a glorified body for both physical and spiritual realms. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul says that Christians will at death be given a similar body fit for heaven.
Rabboni (v. 16). Mary Magdalene exclaimed, "Rabboni," translated "teacher." Rabboni is a form of the word "rabbi," which was used exclusively in addressing God. By this term, Mary Magdalene acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, God's Son.
Hold (v. 17). Naturally Mary Magdalene wanted to throw her arms around the risen Jesus and give him a warm hug. But, Jesus asked her to release him, for he had to ascend to his Father. Mary Magdalene had to learn that a change had taken place. He was no longer a Jesus to live on earth. This was the risen Lord soon to leave for heaven. We cannot keep the finite, earthly Jesus as one of us. It is not well for us to hold on to past experiences. We must let Jesus go to his final glory at the right hand of the Father.
Seen (v. 18). Here is the final proof of the resurrection. Mary Magdalene tells the disciples, "I have seen the Lord." It is a personal, existential experience. The resurrection's reality does not stand on rational arguments, on theological teachings, or on pious "faith," but on a personal experience with Jesus. There are many opportunities to see Jesus today in everyday living.
Application
Relevance Of Revelation.
1. Belief in life after death. According to a Gallup poll, over one-fourth of Americans do not believe there is life after death. Gordon Liddy, sentenced to 21 years in prison for his part in the Watergate scandal, appeared on the David Letterman television show. Letterman asked Liddy, "What happens when we die?" "We are food for worms," replied Liddy. "That's all?" asked Letterman. "That's all," said Liddy.
2. The significance of Easter. In a survey taken between 1979 and 1985 Gallup poll learned that three out of every 10 teenagers do not know the significance of Easter. Easter sermons are needed to explain the truths of Easter: (1) There is life after death; Christ conquered death for us. (2) Jesus is the Son of God, the Savior. (3) We have hope of eternal life by faith in Christ.
3. The resurrected body. Among liberal theologians there is a denial of the resurrection of the physical body. For them it is a spiritual body, a matter of faith rather than a real, physical body. They claim that the spiritual presence of Christ is the power of the New Being. Some, like Alex McCowen who recites from memory the entire book of Mark in a one-man Broadway show, say, "I personally don't think it matters literally whether Jesus arose. His influence lived on in the lives of his followers." Bultmann understood the resurrection as "Jesus being risen into the kerygma of the church." Reinhold Niebuhr, considering the resurrection that points to nothing more than the human desire to believe in the meaningness of life, flatly denied the physical resurrection: "I have not the slightest interest in the empty tomb or physical resurrection."
4. A faith story. Today it is popular to tell stories. Some claim that our faith is rooted not in abstract theological discourses but in stories which are supposed to empower us. Is the Easter resurrection a reality or a faith story? Is it based on the historical, real and concrete resurrection, or is it a legend, myth or a product of the imagination? Novels are usually stories that have no historical basis and yet they may teach a lesson or express a truth. Could the resurrection be a rumor that as time went on the rumor was taken for a fact? Today millions of people believe Elvis Presley, who died of a heart attack in 1977, is alive. His fans claim that he faked his death to have peace and quite from his fanatic fans. The Easter story of the resurrection is more than a story; it is a historical concrete event of an empty tomb and a personal appearance.
Sermon Suggestions
Minor Themes. The Easter gospel lesson contains minor themes which would not be appropriate for the chief Easter Sunday morning service. Minor themes can be used for subordinate services on Sunday evening or during the week following Easter Sunday. It is the difference between the main show in the big tent and the side shows.
1. Love believes (20:1-8). John identifies himself as "the one whom Jesus loved (v. 2)." When Peter and John inspected the empty tomb, it is reported that only John believed that Jesus was alive. Love and faith are closely allied. When one loves, it is easy to believe in the loved one. One who hates Jesus would hardly believe in the resurrection.
2. A Foot Race (20:3-10). When Mary Magdalene reported the tomb was empty, Peter and John raced to the tomb to check it out. Being the younger, John reached the tomb first. They could not wait to find out the truth. They were eager and excited. This same eagerness was expressed by the women who could not wait for the rising sun. They went to the tomb while it was still dark. Are we that eager to come to Jesus, to confess him as Lord, to go to church to worship him and to follow him in service?
3. Cutting the Cord (20:17). Instinctively Mary Magdalene grabbed hold of the risen Jesus to hug him. She was so glad to see him alive, for she loved him so very much. It is natural to embrace those we love when we have been separated for a time. But, Jesus had to tell her that she should not hold him because he had to return to his Father. There are times when we, too, must let go. We can fight to stay alive, but the time comes to die by letting go and going to Jesus. Parents are wise when they let go of their growing children that they might live their own lives. To overcome grief there is the necessity to let go of departed ones and not try to live in the past.
4. Too Good to Keep (20:1-1 7). Jesus rose from the dead - so what? Should we do something about it? After inspecting the empty tomb, Peter and John "went back to their homes (v. 10)." They said and did nothing. But Mary Magdalene, instructed by Jesus, went to the disciples with an account of her experience with the risen Lord and shouted with joy, "I have seen the Lord." Easter has a message of evangelism: "Go and say." The difference between saying nothing and telling is in a first-hand experience with Christ. The Easter story is so wonderful that it is too good to keep to oneself.
Major Themes
1. The Missing Body (20:11-18). The empty tomb is a major part of the Easter account. Mary Magdalene was upset over the missing body of Jesus. People have interest in the resurrected body. Is it a physical or a spiritual body? If it is a spiritual body, how is it possible to recognize it or for it to communicate? If we rise with Christ, will our bodies after death be physical or spiritual or both?
2. The Real Thing! (20:1-18). Is the resurrection fact or fiction? Is it just a story like Cinderella or The Three Little Pigs? These have no historical basis. Is the resurrection only a faith story or is it real? If we just think it is true or have faith it is so, then we are subject to illusion and eventually to despair. Our faith would be built on a hoax.
3. A Personal Experience (20:11-18). The final proof of the resurrection is one's personal experience with the living Christ. Rational arguments and doctrinal statements are insufficient. As it was for Mary Magdalene, we need a personal experience to accept the resurrection. He needs to come and live in our hearts. Then for sure we will know he is risen.
4. Believing without Seeing (20:1-8). It was fine for Mary Magdalene to have a personal experience with the risen Christ. But, we today are more in the position of John. He inspected the empty tomb and saw the grave clothes. On this he was led to believe that Jesus was alive. Though he did not see Jesus, he believed. In the same way, we cannot have a resurrected Jesus to come to us in bodily form. We cannot literally see him or hear his voice. Nevertheless, on the basis of the evidence of his resurrection, we can believe he is alive.
5. The Big Difference (20:1-18). For some Easter is a time for flowers, new clothes, an Easter parade or a vacation. It is time for some to go to church and sing "Alleluia" and listen to Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus." But, do we know the significance of Easter? Now we learn the huge difference Easter makes: the divine nature of Jesus, the conquest of death, and the assurance that love and life are stronger than hatred and death.
Sermon Structures
1. Sunsets to Dawn (20:1-18). Clement of Alexandria: "Christ turns all our sunsets into dawns." Mary Magdalene came to the tomb before the dawn. The empty tomb and the appearance of Jesus turned her sunset into the dawn of a new day and life. The resurrection does this for every believer.
A. Sunset of sadness into the dawn of joy
B. Sunset of despair into the dawn of hope
C. The sunset of doubt into the dawn of faith
D. The sunset of death into the dawn of life
2. Where is Jesus' Body? Or The Case of the Missing Body (20:1-18). The whereabouts of Jesus' body caused Mary Magdalene concern. She thought it was stolen or removed by the gardener. Where can we find the body of Jesus today?
A. In the tomb? Yes, if we do not accept the resurrection.
B. In heaven? Yes, he is seated in power and glory at the right hand of God.
C. In the church? Yes, the church is his body (Colossians 1:18).
3. "I Have Seen the Lord" (20:1-18). After a first-hand experience with the risen Lord, Mary Magdalene exclaimed to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord." This personal experience was proof that he rose from the dead. It is the final proof of the resurrection. How does one get this experience? We copy Mary Magdalene's experience.
A. She saw Jesus - v. 14
B. She heard the voice of Jesus - vv. 15-16
C. She touched Jesus - v. 17
4. Would You Recognize Jesus? (20:15-16). If you saw the risen Jesus, would you recognize him? At first Mary Magdalene thought Jesus was the gardener. Could she not see him because of her tears? Was it due to the fact that she had no idea that he would rise? Consider how some were able to recognize him.
A. Mary recognized him by his voice - 20:16
B. Two Emmaus men recognized him in the bread - Luke 24:31
C. Thomas recognized him by his scars - 20:27
5. Where Can Jesus be Found Today? (20:11-18). The women and disciples did not find the risen Christ in the tomb. He is alive but he is here, there and everywhere. Where can we find Jesus today?
A. Mary Magdalene found him in her distress - 20:11-18
B. In the needy - Matthew 25:31-46
C. In the Holy Communion - Luke 24:28-32
D. In worship - Matthew 18:20
6. Two Kinds of Easter Faith (20:1-18). In today's gospel lesson we see two kinds of faith.
A. The faith of seeing - Mary Magdalene
1. The empty tomb, grave clothes, angels did not lead to faith
2. Faith came from a personal encounter with Jesus.
B. The faith of not seeing - John
1. His faith was based on evidence: empty tomb, grave clothes
2. Faith without seeing is the faith for our day
Illustration
The Case of the Missing Body. On Christmas day, 1977, at the age of 88, the famous comic star, Charlie Chaplin, known affectionately as the "Little Tramp," died. He was buried in a Swiss cemetery. A couple months later a grave-digger discovered that Chaplin's body was gone; his grave was empty. All that could be seen was a deep hole where the casket had been. It was a mystery as to who stole the body, why it was stolen, and where the body was. The Chaplin family needed a detective like Sherlock Holmes, an Agatha Christie or a Columbo to solve the mystery of the missing body. On the first Easter Mary Magdalene needed a detective, for weepingly she said, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."
The Butterfly of Resurrection. The butterfly is a symbol of the resurrection. In the Callaway Gardens of Georgia there is the largest free-flight, glass-enclosed conservatory in North America for the display of 1,000 butterflies. They are in a 7,000-foot conservatory covering 4 1/2 acres. The butterfly is the product of a metamorphosis. It lays an egg. In two weeks the egg becomes a caterpillar which in two more weeks eats itself fat. In another two weeks the caterpillar becomes a chrysalis. At the end of two weeks a metamorphosis takes place in the chrysalis and out comes a butterfly which has on the average a life span of only two weeks. Jesus' tomb is like a chrysalis. Out of the tomb comes new life as beautiful as a butterfly.
O For a Voice to Praise! W. E. Sangster, a distinguished preacher of a former generation, felt an uneasiness in his throat. He went to a doctor who told him he had an incurable disease of progressive atrophy. He was told his voice would eventually fail and he would be unable to swallow. He continued his ministry by writing. At length his voice disappeared. On Easter morning a few weeks before he died, he wrote in a letter to his daughter, "It is terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout, 'He is risen!' but it would be still more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout it."
Longing for Life after Death. Some are turning to science to guarantee them life after death. Cryonics is a science that will freeze a person's remains after death to preserve them for later life. Bodies are stored in eight-and-a-half-foot high stainless steel capsules at 320 degrees below zero at a cost of $100,000. The plan is to defrost the body when science has discovered the cure for what caused the death. Life can then supposedly continue. The Reanimation Foundation now has 14 people, three dogs and one cat frozen waiting for a cure.
In 1832 Jeremy Bentham tried to defy death. He had his skeleton dressed in his clothes with a wax head and hands. To this day it can be seen at University College, London.
Easter Eggs. Throughout history an egg was the symbol of the beginning of life. Ancient Egyptians put eggs in tombs. The Greeks put eggs on top of graves. The Romans said, "All life comes from an egg." The early Christians used eggs as a symbol of the resurrection. Jesus' tomb was like an egg that has no exit; it was carved out of solid rock with a boulder at the entrance. An ancient legend says that Simon of Cyrene was by trade an egg merchant. Upon his return to his farm after the crucifixion he discovered that all his eggs turned multiple colors. To this day Christians color Easter eggs.
Resurrection Requires Prior Death. At Easter it is easy to confuse resurrection with resuscitation. One Easter a pastor gave a sermonette to the children. He displayed an Easter lily and told how the lily came out of an apparently dead bulb which he also showed. The fallacy of the display was in the fact that the bulb was not dead. It was very much alive and in due time produced the lily. The bulb was resuscitated by the nourishment of the ground. Resurrection does not result from slumber nor hibernation. It comes out of death never to die again. The renewal of nature in the spring is not a correct analogy of the resurrection. One cannot have a resurrection without a prior death. This is emphasized by the creed which says that Jesus was crucified, dead and buried. John Varley, Yellowstone National Park's chief of research, assured the country that the fire of 1988 which burned 989,000 acres of the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone, did not destroy the park. He said, "It is not a re-birth because there was not a death."
