My God and Your God

Audio version here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKfrzxFgVJo&t=3s

3-31-24

Hoonah-Hadley

John 20:1-18

Call to Worship Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Daily Verse John 20:17

John 20:17 “Jesus said to her, ‘Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”  As we set the stage this morning for the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 9:3, 10:19) our first observation is to whom Jesus is speaking.  Keep in mind this is the resurrected Christ and this the first conversation of our risen Savior.  “Jesus said to her…”  The her here is referring to Mary Magdalene.  This Mary is listed in all 4 gospels and seems to have been prominent among a group of women who followed and served Jesus constantly from the outset of His ministry in Galilee, to His death and beyond.  These women provided for Jesus’s ministry out of their own resources suggesting they were persons of some financial means.  Our main interest in this conversation and this “Mary” is found in the gospel of Luke chapter 8 and verse 2, “and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons.” Based on these facts we might be so bold as to proclaim, to whom much has been forgiven, whom our Savior has healed, “To whom much is given, much is required.” (Luke 12:48) The gospel message is first and foremost about the light of the world, and then it gives testimony to those whom that light shines. John 8:12 “I am the light of the world, those who follow Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”  Be the light.

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John 20:1 “Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark…”  One of the things humanity seems to have in common across the board, regardless of geographical location, race, color, or belief, is this, we are a searching lot.  We dig for treasures, search the depths of the sea, risk life for gold, dinosaurs, and long-lost hidden mysteries. Great expenses have gone into the discovery of sunken ships that we might find the mother lode, or perhaps simply the cause of its peril. We could play Gordon Lightfoot’s famous song “The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald” as a testimony to the great depths we’re willing to go to find the lost, or in the least, to give it proper burial.  There are two words in John 20 verse 1 that are critical lessons Mary teaches us once we’ve lost our Savior, “now” and “first”.  If you have known Jesus and lost Him, “now” is the appropriate time to begin your search.  Whether you have met Him or not, the eternal weight of His resurrection should be your “first” item of business. Genesis 19:2 “Then go on your way early in the morning.” Exodus 8:20 “Get up early in the morning.” Joshua 6:12 “Joshua got up early the next morning.”  Judges 6:38 “Gideon rose early the next day.”  1 Samuel 15:12 “Early in the morning Samuel got up.”  John 21:4 “Early in the morning Jesus stood on the shore.”  John 20:1 “…Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark.”  We’ve left plenty on the table here, but this should be sufficient evidence of the importance God places on rising early. When folks ask what we think about women and the bible, this verse is all we need.  Mary’s diligence, her passion, her commitment to the Lord has her rising early and finding herself to be the first person in the presence of the risen Savior. Rising early has its rewards, consider your life.

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Mary approaches the tomb with a heavy heart.  Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart.”  She witnessed His execution, saw His dead body hauled away to burial, and now an empty tomb?  We can only suggest her train of emotions, a broken heart, grief, a frantic search, disbelief, shock, comfort and encouragement.  Though time and space has removed many of the emotions from us, Mary’s findings should not only comfort us, but encourage us on our way. Mary, a sinner, 7 times over is given the first and choice honor of the presence of her risen Savior.  In God’s economy, the worst of sinners approaching the throne of grace with a broken spirit, are given the greatest honor. What a sweet, sweet melody that thought is. 1 Corinthians 2:9 “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” He will restore to us the years that the locust has eaten. (Joel 2:25) It is quite possible Mary was selected to see Christ first because she loved Him the most. John loved Jesus, but Mary loved Him better. John did run to the empty tomb, confirmed it empty, and simply returned home.  Mary remained and wept. You can turn to 1 Corinthians 13 for God’s definition of love, but when love looks after a thing, it discovers what nothing else can.  Verse 11 “Mary stood outside the tomb weeping.”  Here’s the equation: diligence + love + weeping = rejoicing. Psalm 30:5 “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.” John 20:14 “… she turned around and saw Jesus standing there.” While we are walking along the way and having a conversation with ourselves and find no hope there, a simple turning around with faith will find Jesus standing there.

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Supposing Him to be the gardener in verse 15, Mary addresses Him as “Sir”.  Surely the resurrected Christ’s appearance is nothing of the crucified Christ. “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’”  Have you lost Jesus? Are you searching diligently for Him while it is yet dark?  Does your grief over your loss have you weeping?  Furthermore, has your overwhelming exposure to death hardened your heart and dried your eyes? Do you think weeping is a sign of weakness?  “Jesus wept”. (John 11:35, Luke 19:41, Hebrews 5:7) Jesus wept over Lazarus, He wept over Jerusalem, and He wept to His Father. Weeping is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign you are grieving over the loss of something or someone very dear to you. “Jesus wept.”  Verse 16 “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’” Does He know you? You know the scriptures, but then again, so does Satan. Does your knowledge of doctrine surpass and intimate touch with your Savior? Are the blessings He promises you what your heart longs for and not Jesus Himself? Do you question His life, death and resurrection? John 20:28 “Thomas…said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’” Have you denied Him? Peter denied Christ yet after His resurrection He appeared to Peter alone and restored him. Then Peter said to Him, “Lord…You know that I love you.” When Mary heard her name, she immediately knew she had a personal history with He who spoke. John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Understandably, Mary’s joy overwhelmed her, she fell at His feet and took hold of Him. Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me…but go to My brethren and say to them…”  There is a time to be alone with Christ, but more importantly, a time to go and tell others. “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, My God and Your God.”

What does this mean? Everything.

Amen.