Body

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John 20:1 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.) 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.
2014 - Melanie and I recently watched, on DVD, the Oscar nominated film Philomena. It is based on the true story of Martin Sixsmith, portrayed as a well educated cynical political journalist, who picks up the story of a woman's search for her son, who was sold for adoption nearly 50 years before after she became pregnant and was forced to live in a convent. Philomena has, what appears to be a simple faith, but one that is tested as she reflects upon her past, traces her son and discovers the ways in which she has been mistreated by the nuns. Her faith eventually leads her to forgive the nuns, astonishing Sixsmith.

Earlier in the film, Philomena asks Sixsmith if he believes in God. He replies, "I've always thought that was a difficult question to give a simple answer to." Then he questions her. "Do you?" he says. Her reply? A simple "Yes."

Do you believe in God? If so, what kind of God do you believe in, and how does this affect the way you live your life?

John, the beloved disciples who went to the tomb, wrote this gospel. The aim of this is found later in this chapter, “30 Jesus performed many other 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 Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Today's gospel tells us that, when Mary Magdalene told Simon Peter and John that the tomb was empty, they ran there. John got there first but did not enter. We don't know why. It was early in the morning, and the light would have been poor, though John could see some the linen that had been wrapped around Jesus dead body on the Friday.

Peter was not known for his subtlety, and, true to form, barged right in when he arriaved! He not only saw the linen but also, separately, a neatly folded burial cloth that had been on Jesus' head. Had Mary been right, and someone stolen the body, they would have undoubtedly have taken the expensive cloth, and would not have hung around to fold the napkin-like cloth.

“8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

John saw and believed. The Greek Pisteuo pronounced “pist-you-o” means to trust in something or someone. It can also mean to acknowledge some fact or event, an intellectual faith, if you like.

What did John believe in? I don't think he shared Mary's belief that the body had been stolen, because he and Simon Peter had seen the evidence. Mary had just seen the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb.

I think that John had trusted that God had, in some way raised Jesus from the dead. Perhaps he recalled one of the many times Jesus had told him and the other disciples that he would be betrayed, killed, and rise on the third day. Perhaps he realised that Jesus is the Christ or Messiah, the Son of God. Perhaps he remembered a few weeks before with Jesus giving life to Lazarus who walked out of the tomb.

I think it is fair to say that this belief, or trust, in Jesus was not fully developed. It had some way to go. Two important things had to happen.

Firstly, John, and the other disciples had to meet the risen Jesus. Jesus appeared to over 500 people over the next six weeks. He ate fish with the disciples after he had helped them bring in a miraculous catch of fish. He restored his relationship with Simon Peter after Simon had denied him three times in the courtyard of the high priest.

The other important thing is that John, and the disciples had to understand was what happened to Jesus was foretold in the scriptures, and was God's plan to save people of every nationality, throughout history. To save people from being cut off from God. 9 They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.” Other gospel passages tell of Jesus explaining this to his followers and pointing to where this can be found in the Bible, e.g. Luke 24.44ff.

By His death and resurrection Jesus has opened the way to God. Expand.

Actually, three important things had to happen. The followers of Jesus had to receive the Holy Spirit. Immediately after our first reading finished, the Holy Spirit gave the gift of trust in Jesus to those who heard Peter's message. These people were a centurion called Cornelius, his family and friends. Cornelius had a belief in God, he was respected by the Jews and called a god fearer. But his belief was a bit like that of John in the empty tomb. He had yet to find out fully about Jesus and respond by trusting wholeheartedly in him.

Where are you in your belief today? Do you have a belief in God like Corrnelius had? One of being a God fearer who lives a good life, but one without a relationship with God? Are you like John in the tomb, you believe something has happened but don't really understand it fully?

God loves you and wants the best for you. He showed this by becoming a human being, living a perfect life and dying a dreadful death so that we can be free to know and love God. This is the offer that is on the table. Right now you can ask for God's Holy Spirit to help you trust in Jesus and have a friendship with God. This will transform your life now and go on into eternity. It will bring you love, joy, peace, friendship with God, a new world-wide family, a reason to live, and power to live for God. May you know the joy, presence and friendship of the risen Lord Jesus, this Easter Day, and into eternity.

Easter Day Year A 23/3/2008

John 20:1 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.) 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.

As an introduction, "all age" talk this could involved three (younger?) volunteers. One has a scarf tied round his/her head symbolising the darkness. One a pop sock/stocking which represents the dawn/grey. The other has nothing over their eyes, representing the light.

Do you like being in darkness? What do you associate with darkness? John 20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb..."

In the Bible darkness can be associated with ignorance, evil, the fear of death.

John, the author of this gospel, speaks of darkness and light on several occasions. At the beginning he writes 1: 5 The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

He records Jesus speaking about himself; John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

In today's language we may talk of "dark times", when things are difficult. Mary Magdalene was certainly going through such a time when Jesus died.

John records that it was dark, perhaps referring to the early start Mary made. Perhaps reflecting her ignorance, and the evil that had apparently triumphed, the fear of the death that ended the ministry of Jesus.

As we read through the passage it becomes lighter.

The day becomes lighter as the sun rises.

The atmosphere becomes lighter as the miracle of the resurrection is slowly revealed.

The world becomes a lighter place when it is seen that the knowledge of God, the defeat of evil, and the gift of new life are to be found in the risen Lord Jesus.

Things get lighter. They turn from the black of night, to the emerging light of dawn and the bright light of day.

We have:-

The stone that had been moved

The empty tomb.

The folded burial cloth that promised, "I will be back". Cf Parish News.

The angels.

The one word, "Mary", that transformed her darkness into light, her sorrow into joy. So much so that, reading between the lines, she held on to Jesus so much he asked her to let him go because the time had not yet come for this ascension. One on the eye for those who deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus!

As we have gone through Easter we have gone through the apprehension of Maundy Thursday, the gloom and darkness of Good Friday that lingers until this morning. Now we have the light of Easter that heralds a new phase in humankind's relationship with God.    Jesus has opened the way to God, evil and death have been defeated, eternal life beckons.

This Easter, shall we,

Move further into the light of Christ.

Rejoice in what He has done for us, in dying and rising to new life for us.

Commit ourselves afresh to following His ways

Every day is now Easter day!

PRAY

Easter Day : John 20:1-18

John tells us the events of the Sunday morning after Jesus died and was buried. Mary Magdalene has witnessed Jesus' death on the cross and has been present at his burial in the tomb hewn out of the rock. The positioning of the linen wrappings shows that the grave has not been robbed.

We read of Mary's joy and surprise in seeing the risen Jesus.

But did she, and the other disciples really see Jesus after his death ? If they did what significance does this have ? We may re-phrase these questions by asking :

Is the resurrection true ?

What does it mean ?

Is the resurrection true ?

Different theories have been put forward.

1) The disciples thought that the spirit of Jesus lived on in their hearts and lives.

Typical 'liberal' stance because they cannot accept that such a thing can happen !

Yet, if this was so why did they proclaim that Jesus had defeated death and record stories of having a breakfast of fish with them ?

2) Hallucinations. Yet 1 Cor. 15 tells of the risen Jesus appearing to over 500 people at the same time. Couldn't be hallucination, happens to individuals. Also don't eat fish and leave bones behind !

3) Jesus wasn't really dead, he had been unconscious on the cross and recovered in the cool of the tomb.

Firstly, Jesus did die on the cross. Soldiers professional executioners, didn't break legs. Sword in side, separate blood and water. Yet if so, how did he in a weakened state get out of the heavy cloths and spices, roll the stone away, and sneak past the guards without being noticed. Then how did he convince the disciples that he had conquered death rather than escaped it ? How did he manage to appear and disappear at will if he still had his, now rather weakened human body ? Unlike the lady who had collapsed Jesus was not resuscitated. He had been raised from the dead.

4) The Romans and/or the Jewish leaders had the body. If they did, and the disciples started to claim that Jesus had risen then all they had to do was to produce it. Relegating Jesus to the role of another failed revolutionary who would be soon forgotten.

But they didn't. They couldn't. And the risen Jesus has transformed human history.

5) The disciples had the body. To get this they would have had to get past the guards who would face the death penalty if the body was stolen. Yet when we read of the disciples we discover that they didn't expect the resurrection. They didn't really understand Jesus' teaching about this until after it had happened. The resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit transformed them from frightened people hiding from the authorities to bold spokesmen who would face death for their belief in the risen Jesus.

Why would they die for a lie ? And, if it was a lie why would they make up a story that the risen Jesus was first seen by a woman ? In that culture a woman's testimony was not accepted in court because they were second class citizens. So who would invent such an account ?

6) This is the theory that I favour... IT IS TRUE !

The evidence points to it. The experience of millions of Christians throughout history points to it. The existence of the church proves it. Eleven frightened, uneducated, lower class, irreligious northerners spread a message that has changed history. Today you will find millions of Christians who will claim that Jesus has transformed their lives and that they have met with him. How can you say that of a dead person ?

Is the resurrection true ? Of course it is !

What does it mean ?

a) A New creation.

Old creation was spoiled by the fall from grace cf Adam & Eve. Spoiled by sin and death.

God was unhappy about the way that the world was flawed after he had created it to be faultless. He wanted to restore it to it's original state. The way he had planned it from the start. To bring in this new creation God had to deal with the sin and death that had ruined the old creation.

The new creation heralds the victory of God in Christ over sin and death. Jesus is the gardener who brings in the new creation for those who are united with him.

2 Cor. 5:17 . 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Therefore, death need be feared no longer. Sin need enslave no longer. Whilst Jesus has brought in the new creation we will not enjoy the full benefits of it until he returns and takes all who trust in him, living and dead, to be united with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. This does not mean that we should not strive to live in a way that reflects our new status in Christ.

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Where is Christ now ? If we have been raised with Christ where are we ?

Now this is talking about our hearts and minds. But if our hearts and minds really are with Christ and he is in heaven why do we hold on so tightly to the things of this world ?

Jesus is alive today and can be known, served, and followed in the new life that he has for everyone who trusts in him.

b) A New Covenant.

The Old Covenant had not worked out. God had chosen a people, the Jews. He had delivered them from the slavery of Egypt and promised them their own land because of his undeserved favour. God wanted his people to live for him, to worship him and follow his ways. That is why he gave the O.T. law. However, the Israelites consistently worshipped other gods and disobeyed the commandments.

By the time of Jesus many Jews thought that because they were Jewish and had the O.T. law that this made them right with God. Some thought that they could obey all the O.T. law. However, Jesus taught that the law exposes our sinfulness and our need to be saved, rather than giving us a way by which we may be saved.

God works by saving first by his grace, then calls his people to respond in worship, love, obedience and service. Under the new covenant God sent His only Son to earth. Jesus obeyed God's will for all of his life and was, therefore, able to offer himself as a sinless sacrifice in the place of sinners. The way to God is now open. The curtain in the temple has been ripped in two to symbolise this. The stone of the tomb has been rolled away to show that the way to God is open through Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus underlines the truth of his claims, his teaching and his death. It is God's 'Amen' to all of these. Jesus claimed to be God. He claimed to teach the ways of God. He claimed to be sinless. He claimed to be the only way to God by offering himself as a sacrifice for other people's sin on the cross. He claimed that he would rise from the dead. If the last claim had not become true how can we believe the others ? If Jesus had not risen from the dead we would have to deduce that he was either deluded or evil. In fact we would have deduced nothing because he would have been buried in human history amongst all the others who have failed. The resurrection brings alive Jesus' promise of forgiveness and a new, right relationship with God

c) A New Hope.

Jesus denounced the Jewish religious leaders because they hindered their people's walk with God. Giving them no real hope. The Saducees offered less hope than the Pharisees because they didn't even believe in life after death !

The resurrection offers a new hope. The word hope in the Greek was more certain than the way we use the word.

It offers a new level of being. Jesus, in talking to Mary in verse 17 is saying, 'Stop touching me for I have not ascended permanently to my Father. So, you do not have to hold onto me as if I am about to disappear permanently. Go and tell my disciples that I am in the process of ascending to my Father.'

We should not think of Jesus' resurrection as though he had returned to life and then later ascended into heaven. Rather, Jesus has passed into an entirely different reality. From the time of his resurrection to the time we call his ascension he was with God exalted in heaven but would return to earth on occasions. This is why he could suddenly appear and disappear. So Jesus had already ascended temporarily. Fifty days later he would ascend permanently. After his permanent ascension Jesus will show himself to the disciples in terms of love and the presence of the Father and the Son through the indwelling Holy Spirit (14:22).

Revelation 21:5 God says, 'I am making everything new !' We have a certain hope that one day we will be with God with new, perfect resurrection bodies like Jesus. Bodies that have continuity with our earthly bodies but are radically different. Not subject to ageing, disease, sickness, infirmity, or death.

We will live with God and with Jesus, serving him and reigning with him forever.

Jesus is there now, waiting for us. How can we respond to this ?

In praise, adoration, worship, and service of Jesus in this life.
By setting our minds and hearts, our hopes, and our treasures in heaven.
Telling others about the good news of Jesus