Sunday School Lessons

AUGUST 11, 2019

CHRIST’S APPEARANCE TO HIS DISCIPLES AT THE SEA OF TIBERIAS

INTRODUCTION:
1. John seems to have finished his account of the life of Christ with the foregoing chapter. He concluded by noting that the disciples had witnessed many other signs besides the select miracles of which he had made mention in his Gospel. All of these mighty works testified of who He was.
2. The greatest sign of all was the last. To the scribes and Pharisees who sought a sign Jesus said, “…there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matt. 12:38-40)
3. John here adds an appendix to his Gospel in which he records one of those many other sings, this one occurring after the resurrection. Some believe that John was there referring specifically to signs done after the resurrection. This hardly seems likely, since it does not appear that he was constantly with them like He was before.
4. The miracle that is here recorded is a sign of the great success that they will have as fishers of men in the carrying out of the great commission after His ascension back to the Father’s right hand and the sending of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, “Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.”

I. JESUS APPEARED TO SEVEN OF THE ELEVEN DISCIPLES WHO WERE JOINED TOGETHER ON A FISHING EXPEDITION. (VERSES 1-3) This was not a fishing trip for recreation, but for business.

A. THIS APPEARANCE WAS NOT ON A LORD’S DAY AS THE TWO BEFORE, AND NOT TO ALL OF THE DISCIPLES. (VERSE 2)
1. The disciples were not all gathered for a solemn assembly where they might have expected the Lord to appear.
2. Here seven disciples were tending to daily business. It’s good for all to come together for worship, and it is also good to seek Christian companionship in the common affairs of life.
3. This period was the interim between Christ’s resurrection and the meeting which He had appointed in Galilee. (Matt. 28:16)

B. THE DECISION TO GO OUT IN A BOAT TO FISH SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN SPONTANEOUS. (VSE. 3)
1. Peter was a fisherman by trade, as were James, John, and Andrew. (Andrew is believed to be one of the two unnamed disciples) Peter announced to the others that he was going fishing, and it would seem that they all at once decided to go with him. They all were sort of at a loss as to what to do with their time.
2. Some denounce Peter and the others for returning to their nets, which they had left to follow Christ. If they had been wrong in doing this, Christ would not have countenanced them in it with a favorable visit.
a) They are rather to be commended for their actions. They would not be idle, but instead, redeemed the time.
b) Their commission was not yet perfected so far as their readiness to commence carrying it out. In fact, it is likely that their Lord had instructed them to hold their peace on the subject of His resurrection until after the pouring out of the Spirit.
c) These actions prove their industry and humility. They would provide for their families, which was their duty, and they were willing to work at this common trade, even though they were called to be Christ’s messengers.
3. Though they were industrious, their efforts were in vain. “…and that night they caught nothing.”
a) Most likely they toiled all night, like on a previous occasion. (Luke 5:5)
b) Providence ordered this failure so that the miraculous draught of fishes in the morning might be the more wonderful and satisfying.
c) God often has designs in our disappointments that are very gracious.

II. IT WAS AFTER A NIGHT OF FRUITLESS TOIL THAT JESUS SHOWED HIMSELF TO THE DISCIPLES. (VERSES 4-6) His body, though a real body, was raised a spiritual body, and was visible only when He was pleased to make it so, or rather came and removed so quickly that it was here or there in an instant. Four things stand out in the appearance of Christ to these seven disciples.

A. THE PERFECT TIMING OF HIS APPEARANCE. “WHEN THE MORNING WAS COME.”
1. After a long and fruitless night of fishing; this was hard work – casting nets and dragging them in again and again.
2. Christ’s time of making Himself known to His people is when they are most at a loss. (Psa. 30:5)
3. After His resurrection, Christ came not to His disciples walking on the water, but He rather stood on the shore, because now they were to come toward Him.

B. THE PROGRESSIVE REVELATION OF HIMSELF TO THEM. “…BUT THE DISCIPLES KNEW NOT THAT IT WAS JESUS.”
1. Little expecting to see Him there, they took Him for some ordinary person.
2. Christ is often nearer to us than we perceive that He is, and this we often find afterward to our great comfort.

C. THE PITY HE HAD ON THEM IN REVEALING WHO HE WAS. “CHILDREN, HAVE YE ANY MEAT?”
1. He spoke to them as His children, just as He had done before.
2. The inquiry is very kind: “Have you any meat?” He asked with a fatherly concern if their labors had provided them with their body’s need.
3. This was an invitation for them to open their case to Him.

D. THE INSTANCE OF HIS POWER BY WHICH HE SHOWED HIMSELF TO THEM. “CAST THE NET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SHIP AND YE SHALL FIND.”
1. They obeyed the command, not yet knowing that it was the Lord who stood on the shore.
2. They obeyed to find that His word was true. “…and ye shall find,” He said. ”They cast therefore, and now they were unable to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”

III. THE DISCIPLES THEN RECEIVED THE DISCOVERY WHICH CHRIST MADE OF HIMSELF. (VRS. 7, 8)

A. JOHN WAS THE FIRST TO REALIZE THAT IT WAS THE LORD WHO WAS INSTRUCTING THEM. (VERSE 7a) John again refers to himself as that disciple whom Jesus loved.

B. PETER WAS OVERCOME WITH EXCITEMENT AND JOY TO KNOW IT WAS THE LORD. (VSE. 7b)
1. He showed his respect to Christ by girding his fisher’s coat about him. He had removed his upper garment for work, but he put it back on before jumping into the water.
2. He showed the strength of his affection for Christ and his earnest desire to be with Him.

C. THE REST OF THE DISCIPLES HASTENED AS QUICKLY TO SHORE AS THE BOAT AND THE NET THEY WERE DRAGGING WOULD ALLOW. (VERSE 8)
1. How differently those who love the Lord will express their love.
2. Peter forgot about everything else he was doing and hurried to Christ. Others stayed with the ship, not leaving it or the catch to drift away.
3. We admire Peter’s zeal, and we also appreciate those who patiently stayed with the ship and brought it to shore.

IV. THE DISCIPLES WERE NEXT TREATED TO A WELCOME MEAL BY THE LORD HIMSELF. (VRS. 9-14)

A. JESUS HAD PROVISIONS READY FOR THEM. (VERSE 9)
1. The risen Christ, though in a new, spiritual, and glorified body, was nevertheless the same tender, loving, and gracious Person that they had known before. He, knowing that they were cold, weary, and hungry, was waiting for them with a fire to warm and dry them, and broiled fish and bread to nourish and refresh them.
2. As for how He came to have fish and bread, and the wherewithal to build a fire, we need not be puzzled. He, who could prepare food for Elijah in the wilderness; who could multiply loaves and fishes at will, was not at a loss in any case. Even Satan knew that He could have turned stones into loaves of bread had He been pleased to do so.(I Kings 19:4-8; John 6:5-12; Matt. 4:3, 4)
3. By this example we are assured that our Lord knows what we have need of and is able to supply our need, whether by natural process or by supernatural intervention if necessary.
4. By this miraculous provision the disciples would be reassured that even though they were asked to forsake all for their calling, they would never be in want. (Matt. 19:27-30; Phil. 4:19; Matt. 6:33)

B. JESUS CALLED FOR SOME OF WHAT THEY HAD CAUGHT. (VERSES 10, 11)
1. He provided for them from His own bounty to assure them that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above what they could ask or think (Eph. 3:20), but He would also have them eat form the labor of their own hands. (Psa. 128:2)
a) As all here is emblematic of their calling to be fishers of men, He is showing them how they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel. (I Cor. 9:14)
b) They who are fishers of men must bring all they catch to their Master, for all are His.
2. In obedience to the Lord’s command, Peter went up and drew the net upon the shore. (Verse 11)
a) Notice, the net full of fishes that they were previously unable to drag to shore, Peter, at the command of the Lord, went up and drew to land. Ministers are not able to bring men to Christ except God Himself draw them. (John 6:44)
b) It was Peter who had before so zealously demonstrated his affection for Christ (Verse 7), that now was most forward in his obedience to go for Him, and draw in the net.
c) The count of fishes tallied 153, and many of them were very large, and yet the net did not break. This fact is in contrast to what happened on a previous occasion three years before. (Luke 5:1-11) The nets from which Christ was calling them were those of their earthly profession, but the net to which He called them is the Gospel net (see Matt. 13:47), which cannot fail.

C. JESUS INVITED THE DISCIPLES TO COME AND DINE WITH HIM. (VERSES 12-14)
1. The gracious invitation was extended. “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.”
2. The reverent response of the disciples. “None of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou…”
3. The gracious condescension of Christ. (Verse 13)
a) He came to them.
b) He divided and served them.
4. It is noted by John that this was the third time that the risen Christ had showed Himself to His disciples. (Verse 14) The first two appearances are recorded in the previous chapter. (Ch. 20:19, 26) It has been pointed out by some Bible commentators that by “third time” we are to understand third day, noting that on the first day (the day of the resurrection) He appeared numerous times. It seems to me that John is referring to those times when He appeared to the disciples as a group, this being the third such appearance.

JULY 28, 2019

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST (PART III)

INTRODUCTION:
1. As Mary Magdalene and others came to the tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week, they found the sepulcher open and empty. They encountered a number of proofs that Jesus was risen yet none of them at first accepted the fact.
2. Gradually the truth seemed to register with them, beginning with John. (Verse 8) We are not told specifically, but perhaps Peter also believed along with John. Mary Magdalene, however, was still unbelieving until the risen Christ revealed Himself to her. (Verses 15, 16)
3. Later that same day (the first day of the week), as the disciples were gathered together, and others with them, all who were there received the infallible proof of the resurrection when the risen Christ Himself came and stood in their midst.(See Luke 24:36-47 to see how He went about convincing them, for many were yet unbelieving.)
4. There was yet one remaining apostle, who, being absent, remained yet in unbelief. Thomas said that nothing short of seeing and personally examining the wounds in His body would convince him that the Lord was risen.
5. Exactly one week later, Thomas would get his chance to do just that. Despite his offensive words, and the contempt expressed in them, the Lord will, on the next Lord’s Day, accommodate doubting Thomas’ demands with another appearance like the one before.

I. WHEN IT WAS THAT CHRIST MADE HIS SECOND APPEARANCE WITH HIS DISCIPLES. (VERSE 26)

A. IT WAS AGAIN ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK. “After eight days,” that day seven nights after He rose, which must therefore be, as that was, the first day of the week.
1. Where Christ was during these days we are not told. He was not bodily with His disciples as He was before.
2. Where Christ was during the forty days between His resurrection and His ascension we do not know, and it is foolish to speculate.
3. In the beginning of His earthly ministry, immediately after His baptism, He was unseen, being taken into the wilderness to be tempted of Satan. (Matt. 4:1-10)
4. Now, in the beginning of His glory He is forty days, for the most part, unseen. During His forty days temptation, He was without holy companionship. The holy angels had to stay at bay until it was over – only then could they minister to Him. (See Matt.4:11) We can be assured that during this forty day interval He was in holy company, and those beautiful and adoring creatures ministered unto Him.

B. THERE ARE REASONS WHY CHRIST DEFERRED SO LONG AS A WEEK.
1. That He might try the faith of those who were present the week before.
a) After being so blessed by our Lord, having been given understanding of the Scriptures, “Then were the disciples glad.” (Verse 20)
b) But, He would try them to see if they hold their ground. Not seeing Him for several days, will their joy remain?
c) They needed to be gradually weaned from having His bodily presence. Though we see Him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (I Pet. 1:8)
2. That He might put an honor upon the first day of the week, and give a plain intimation that it was His will that it should be kept by His churches as the Christian Sabbath.
a) On the first day of the week Christ met with His disciples once and now twice. Note: one, they were assembled on that day, and two, Jesus came to be with them on that day two weeks consecutively.
b) There is no other day specifically mentioned in the New Testament on which the churches were assembled for worship.
c) Matthew Henry thought it was highly probable that on His former appearance to them He appointed that they should come together again on the first day of the next week.
d) It cannot be without good reason that the church has handed down this tradition through every age of its existence. It seems certain that Christ Himself established that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day.

II. CHRIST’S SECOND APPEARANCE WAS MADE TO THE ASSEMBLED DISCIPLES AT JERUSALEM; WHERE ALL ELEVEN OF THE DISCIPLES WERE PRESENT.

A. THAT IT WAS AT JERUSALEM IS HERE INDICATED. “THE DOOR BEING SHUT.”
1. The doors were shut for fear of the Jews. The same would apply to this second meeting as to the first. (Vs. 19)
2. They were in Jerusalem for the seven days of unleavened bread, which ended the day before. The disciples would not depart for Galilee, it being the Christian Sabbath, but would stay until the day after.

B. THOMAS WAS THERE WITH THE OTHERS. “…AND THOMAS WITH THEM.”
1. He had stayed away once, but not a second time. He had deprived himself of a blessing, but he did not yet know how great a blessing until now.
2. Notice, Christ did not appear to Thomas until He found him in the society of the rest of the disciples. It is in the assembly that Christ is found to be in the midst.
3. Christ dealing with Thomas, both the rebuke and also the tender care He had for him.
4. Christ came and stood in the midst, and like before, He saluted them all with His familiar greeting: “Peace be unto you.”

III. CHRIST’S SECOND APPEARANCE OCCASIONED A WONDERFUL EXCHANGE BETWEEN CHRIST AND THOMAS. (VERSES 27-29)

A. NOTICE OUR LORD’S GRACIOUS CONDESCENSION TO THOMAS. (VERSE 27)
1. Jesus accommodated Thomas’ peevish demands. “Reach hither thy finger…reach hither thy hand…and be not faithless, but believing.”
2. Notice the implicit rebuke of Thomas’ unbelief in the plain reference to his own words. Thus, Thomas had yet another proof, in that he knew of no other man but Christ who had intuitive knowledge to know these things. (Psa. 139:1-4)
3. Christ’s example here teaches us that we must bear the infirmities of the weak (Rom. 15:12), in order not to break the bruised reed, but rather to accommodate them, if possible, so as to strengthen their weak faith. We see the Good Shepherd gathers that which is driven away, even if it is their own folly that is to blame. (Ezek. 34:16)
4. Jesus, having dealt to so condescendingly with Thomas, revealed His purpose by saying, “Be not faithless, but believing,” i.e. do not become an unbeliever. This is a solemn warning to us all – “Be not faithless;” for if we are faithless, then we are Christ-less, and our condition is therefore hopeless.
5. Let us love and admire our gracious Lord who would not allow the smoking flax to be quenched, but rather revive it, and set it ablaze. Thomas’ feet had well nigh slipped, but Christ came to him and stabilized his faith. (Psa. 73:2, 17)

B. SEE HERE THOMAS’ RENEWED FAITH AND HIS EXUBERANT CONFESSION. (VERSES 28, 29)
1. He was now ashamed of his former words of doubt, and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”
a) He was now fully convinced of the truth of the Resurrection.
b) His confession is full, consenting to Him as Lord and God. Christ is the Author and Head of true religion, the Sovereign, All-Wise and Unchanging God. Christ is also the Mediator. He is the Lord, the one Lord. (I Cor. 8:6; I Tim. 2:5)c) His confession is personal. “MY Lord and MY God.”
2. We are not told whether or not Thomas did actually examine the wounds in Christ’s hands and side, according to his previous vow and in response to Christ’s accommodating invitation, but it seems most unlikely that he did, hearing his joyful and hearty confession, and sensing the shame that he now felt for his former incredulity.
3. This confession was made to Christ, meaning, “Thou art my Lord and my God.” It was also made before all of those who had witnessed his shameful unbelief. He thus was saying, “This is my Lord and my God.”

C. LET US NOTE THE USE WHICH CHRIST MADE OF THIS MATTER. (VERSE 29)
1. Christ owns Thomas as a believer. “Thomas…thou hast believed.” His faith was real.
2. Christ, at the same time upbraided him. “Thomas, because thou hast seen me…” He had been so reluctant, and after much ado had, at last, come to confess. He was not a good example, being one of the twelve.
3. Thomas would be sent out to preach the Gospel, and call upon people to believe based upon his testimony – something that he failed to do, that is, believe based on the testimony of his fellow apostles.
4. Jesus here declared what was true then, and is still true today, “Blessed are they which have not seen, and yet have believed.” (Rom. 10:13-17)

IV. JOHN, AS AN EYEWITNESS, ADDS THESE CONCLUDING REMARKS TO HIS RECORD. (VRS. 30, 31)

A. HE ASSURES US THAT JESUS PERFORMED MANY OTHER SIGNS WHICH ARE NOT RECORDED. (VERSE 30)
1. Some believe John is referring to many other signs and wonders that were performed by our Lord after His resurrection, proving Himself to be the Christ. These would therefore have been done in the presence of His disciples during the forty days between the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
2. It seems far more likely that John means that there were many other wonders and miracles done by our Lord over the course of His earthly life and ministry besides those that are recorded in this Gospel.

B. HE GIVES THE REASON WHY WE HAVE THOSE SIGNS WHICH ARE RECORDED. (VERSE 31)
1. No sign was ever given by our Lord in order to satisfy the curiosity of sign-seekers. Neither were they done to impress, or merely to display His power.
2. Although many of Christ’s miracles brought temporal relief and blessing to multitudes of people, God had a higher motive and purpose for them.
3. Like all recorded Scripture, those signs which the Holy Spirit chose to preserve in the eternal Word of God are there to produce faith in Jesus, that we might have life through believing in Him.

JULY 14, 2019

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST (PART II)

INTRODUCTION:
1. John reveals to us that Mary Magdalene was first to discover the empty tomb. Assuming that Jesus’ body had been stolen, Mary immediately reported her discovery to Peter and John.
2. It is truly remarkable that even Peter and John seemed to agree with Mary’s assumption, that is, that someone had taken the Lord’s body. The angel would remind Mary and the other Mary that he was risen as He said. (Matt. 28:6) He had repeatedly told them that He would rise after three days. (Matt. 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 9:22)
3. Though John, after entering into the empty tomb, believed (Verse 8), and perhaps Peter began to believe as well, the others would not fully believe until their risen Lord made His first appearance later that same day. The infallible proof of Christ’s resurrection was His showing Himself alive. (Acts 1:3)
4. In these verses we have an account of His appearance to the assembled disciples.

I. FIRST WE HAVE THE TIME AND PLACE WHERE THE APPEARANCE WAS MADE. (VERSE 19)

A. THERE IS AN EMPHASIS HERE PUT UPON “THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK.” (VERSE 19)
1. It might have been sufficient for John to have simply said that He appeared “the same day at evening” (Verse 19a)but he added, “being the first day of the week.”
2. The Lord made His first visit to His assembled disciples on the first day of the week, the same day that He rose from the dead.
3. In this He established that the church would assemble on the first day of the week. This we can know because the first day of the week is the only day of the week, or month, or year, that is ever mentioned by number in all the New Testament regarding the assembly. It is indeed several times mentioned as a day religiously observed.
4. The apostles by assembling on this day did not intend to put particular honor upon the day (they were yet in doubt about the resurrection, which was the occasion of it) but God designed to put honor upon it, by ordering it that they should be all together to receive Christ’s first visit on that day. Thus, in effect, He blessed and sanctified that day, because in it the Redeemer rested. (Gen. 3:2)

B. THERE ARE THREE THINGS HERE INSTITUTED BY OUR LORD TO CONTINUE IN HIS CHURCH FOR THE SUPPORT AND DUE ADMINISTRATION OF ITS PRINCIPLE ORDINANCES. (VS. 19, 21)
1. First, the Lord’s Day. “The first day of the week.”
a) We properly refer to the first day of the week as “the Lord’s Day.” (See Rev. 1:10)
b) We rightly call the Lord’s Day our Christian Sabbath. Here is a Christian Sabbath observed by the apostles and owned by our Lord. Doubtless the apostles were together for religious purposes: perhaps it was to pray; to discuss the matter of their Master’s resurrection (what evidences they had); to consult what to do next; etc. Then the Lord sanctified it by joining them, and showing Himself to them.
2. Second, the solemn assembly. The disciples did not scatter, but rather, came together.
a) It was a Christian assembly. They met privately, perhaps in a house with the doors shut, so as not to be seen publicly as a body.
b) It is our sacred Christian duty to assemble together on the Lord’s Day. (Heb. 10:25)
c) It is our great delight to know that when Christ’s churches assemble, He is in their midst.
3. Third, the standing ministry. “As my Father hath sent me, even so, send I you.” (Verse 21)

II. NEXT WE HAVE CHRIST’S WORDS AND ACTIONS IN HIS VISIT AND INTERVIEW WITH THEM. (VERSES 19-23)

A. WHEN THEY WERE ASSEMBLED, JESUS CAME AMONG THEM. (VERSE 19)
1. He came into their midst to give them a specimen of the performance of His promise. “When two or three are gathered together…”
2. He came in through closed doors. It is a comfort to Christ’s disciples to know that no doors can shut out His presence.
3. Notice in this appearance:
a) His kind and familiar salutation. “He said peace be unto you.” Though this was perhaps a common expression, in this case, it was peculiar. Christ left them His peace for their legacy. (Ch. 14:27) He had secured their peace by His death, and now makes prompt payment of it – peace with God, peace of conscience, peace with one another.
b) His clear and undeniable manifestation of Himself to them. (Verse 20) They saw Him now alive whose death had been witnessed by a multitude of people a few days before. But was this that same body that was dead? The marks and wounds served to demonstrate that it was indeed the same body, though now glorified – which glory was somehow veiled for their protection. His wounds bore witness on earth, and they were to speak in heaven in the intercession that He must ever live to make. (Rev. 5:6)
4. The impression made upon the disciples was one of joy and gladness. “Then were the disciples glad.” They were now convinced that it was the Lord Himself who stood in their midst. For them, there could have been no greater joy than to know that their Lord was risen from the dead. And thus their faith was confirmed.

B. JESUS GAVE THEM A HIGH COMMISSION IN WHICH THEY WOULD SERVE AS HIS AGENTS IN THE WORLD. (VERSE 21)
1. He prefaced the commission with a solemn repetition of the previous salutation. “Then said Jesus to them again, “PEACE BE UNTO YOU.”
a) The former salutation was to calm their fears; this repetition was to gain their attention. He previously needed to still the tumult so that they could weigh the proofs of His resurrection. Now He must calm their joy and excitement so that they might hear with sober minds what He has to say.
b) The repetition of these words were also intended to encourage them in receiving this commission which, though a high honor, would involve them in a great deal of trouble. (Compare Gideon’s call; Judges 6:22, 23)
c) Christ was now sending them to publish peace to the world. (Isa. 52:7; Rom. 10:15) Here He not only confers peace upon them for their own good, but commits peace to them as a trust to be communicated to the sons of peace. (See Luke 10:5, 6)
2. The commission itself is very great, in that Christ likens it to His own which He received from His Father. “As my Father hath sent me…”
a) He appointed them to go on with His work upon earth. He sent them with a divine warrant and authorized them as ambassadors of peace.
b) Certainly their powers were infinitely inferior to His, but their work was the same kind, and they were to go on with it as witnesses to the truth like their Lord. (Ch. 18:37)
c) He had a power to send them equal to the Father’s power to send Him. This declares the Godhead of Christ. The commissions He gave were of equal authority with those given by the Father. (Isa. 6:1-9; Matt. 28:18-20)

C. HE QUALIFIED THEM FOR THE DISCHARGE OF THE TRUST THEY HAD RECEIVED. “HE BREATHED ON THEM AND SAID, RECEIVE YE THE HOLY GHOST.” (VERSE 22)
1. He breathed on them as a group, so that, all, even Thomas being absent, also received the blessing and benefit. The Spirit of the Lord knew where to find him.
2. He breathed His Spirit (His breath – same Greek word) upon them.
a) As the breath of the Almighty gave life to man, so the breath of the Mighty Savior gave life to His ministers, and began a new world. (Job 33:40
b) This means that the Spirit is the breath of Christ proceeding from the Son, and signifies the power of His grace.
c) The Holy Spirit is the gift of Christ. (Ch. 14:18; 16:7)
3. The solemn grant which this sign signified was then given. “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.”
a) Christ here gave them assurance of the Spirit’s aid in the work He was sending them to do.
b) He gave them the earnest of that which would come in greater fullness later.
c) It is encouraging to know that Christ does not send us forth in our own strength to do His work. (Eph. 1:13)

D. HE GAVE PARTICULAR AREAS IN WHICH THEY WOULD EXERCISE THE POWER GIVEN THEM. (VERSE 23)
1. The apostles were given extraordinary powers of discernment and they were entrusted with special authority. However, to pardon sin was not within their realm.
2. It was by the faithful stewardship of the mysteries of God that they were able to declare the remission of sins uponGospel terms, which they did. (Acts 2:38; 3:19)
3. God will never alter this rule or vary from it. Those whom the Gospel acquits shall be acquitted, and those whom the Gospel condemns shall be condemned. (John 12:48; Rom. 2:16; James 2:12)

III. FINALLY, WE HAVE THE INCREDULITY OF THOMAS, WHO BEING ABSENT, LEARNED OF CHRIST’S APPEARANCE FROM THE OTHER APOSTLES. (VERSES 24-26)

A. THOMAS, FOR WHATEVER REASON, DID NOT GATHER WITH THE OTHERS. (VERSE 24)
1. He was “one of the twelve,” that is, one of the original twelve chosen apostles, of which there were now eleven left.
2. Why he didn’t join the others we are not told. Perhaps he was sad and distraught, and wanted to be alone. Maybe he was sick or tired. Even so, his absence is not mentioned with approval or acceptance.
3. Absenteeism often reflects a spiritual problem, which is not pleasing to the Lord.

B. THE OTHER DISCIPLES SOON INFORMED THOMAS ABOUT WHAT HE HAD MISSED. (VSE. 25)
1. What a joyful report it was! “We have seen the Lord.”
2. This they said to Thomas to either upbraid him for his absence, letting him know what he missed, or to inform him of the blessing they had experienced, wishing he had been there.
3. Absenteeism is very costly, but only those who rightly value Christ’s presence can appreciate the loss.

C. THOMAS REJECTED THE REPORT OF THE BRETHREN, REFUSING TO BELIEVE. (VERSE 26)
1. Perhaps, as some have suggested, Thomas was a negative disposition. (See Ch. 11:16; 14:5)
2. His answer here was not only negative and faithless; it was insulting to the other apostles, in a sense accusing them of credulity.
3. Their report was true; it was in keeping with Christ’s words; and it was unanimously agreed upon, yet Thomas rejected it.
4. Thomas here made a demand that tempted Christ, in that, he would be convinced by his own method, or not at all. We must be careful about skepticism, so as not to limit the Holy One of Israel.

JUNE 30, 2019

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

INTRODUCTION:
1. John’s Gospel did not begin as did the others. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all begin with matters related to The Man Christ Jesus. (Genealogy, birth, early life, and ministry, etc.) John begins his Gospel with Christ, The Eternal Word who is God the Son without generation.
2. Yet, the Fourth Gospel concludes as did the three that precede it, with the history of the resurrection, not of the thing itself, for none of them describe how He rose, but of the proofs and evidences of it.
3. There was nothing more important to the Apostles than to have substantial proof of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
a) This was so because Christ Himself declared it to be the last and most compelling proof of His being the Messiah. (Matt. 12:39, 40; 16:4)
b) This was so because Christ’s whole work of redemption depended upon His resurrection. (I Cor. 15:17; Heb. 9:28, 28)
c) This was so because it was God’s purpose that by them Christ’s resurrection would be published to the world, that those might be blessed who have not seen, and yet have believed. (John 20:29)
4. This chapter contains many proofs of the resurrection.

I. THE INITIAL DISCOVERY MADE BY MARY MAGDALENE, AND THE REPORT THAT SHE MADE TO PETER AND JOHN. (VERSES 1-10)

A. MARY MAGDALENE CAME TO THE SEPULCHER TO FIND THAT THE STONE WAS ROLLED AWAY. (VERSE 1) John does not mention the other women that came with Mary Magdalene, but her only, and that was probably because she was the most active and forward in this visit to the tomb. The love for Christ was very strong in her because He had done so much for her. He had forgiven much, and she, in return, loved much. (Luke 7:47; 8:2, 3) Here again she proved the sincerity of her love.
1. She came to the sepulcher to anoint the body of Jesus with sweet spices. (See Mark 16:1) It was very early, and the women were wondering who they could get to roll away the stone from the door. (Mark 16:2, 3) Love for Christ will not be stayed because of obstacles that hinder.
2. She came as soon as possible, immediately when the Sabbath was ended, Matthew says, “As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week,” even “while it was yet dark.” She spent the day before commemorating the work of the first creation, but she was glad to leave that in order to attend to work by which we are now able to celebrate the accomplishment of the new creation, even the redemptive work of Christ.
3. She found the stone taken away, which she had seen rolled to the door of the sepulcher. This, which was a great surprise, was the beginning of a glorious discovery – the Lord was risen, though she did not as yet apprehend it as such. (This is seen in the verses following.)

B. FINDING THE STONE ROLLED AWAY, MARY HASTENED BACK TO PETER AND JOHN TO APPRISE THEM OF THE DISCOVERY. (VERSE 2) These disciples were probably lodging some place nearby, so she went immediately to them.
1. She anxiously gave the report, and then explained what she assumed had happened. She, seeing the stone removed,and having looked inside, found the grave empty.
2. This is a great mystery, even though we perhaps understand why that, not only Mary, but Peter and John and all therest, did not immediately begin to rejoice and say, “He is risen as He said.” Jesus had as often as He spoke about His death also spoke about His resurrection, but somehow it was hid from them. (See Luke 9:44, 45)
3. Their understanding will come in the same way as all others – when the risen Lord Himself opens up the Scriptures to their understanding. (See Luke 24:44-46; Rom. 10:17)

C. PETER AND JOHN IMMEDIATELY MADE HASTE AND SPRINTED TO THE TOMB, JOHN OVER-TAKING PETER TO ARRIVE FIRST. (VERSES 3, 4)
1. All of the eleven were informed. (Luke 24:9) Perhaps Mary went to Peter and John, and the other women (Luke 24:10) took the news to the other nine.
2. Only Peter and John came with Mary back to the grave.

D. PETER AND JOHN PROCEEDED TO INVESTIGATE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO IMPROVE UPON THE ORIGINAL DISCOVERY. (VERSES 5-9)
1. John went no further than Mary had gone – he stooped and looked inside. (Verse 5)
2. Peter, though he arrived last on the scene, went inside, and was able to discover some things that were not seen by the others. (Verses 6-8)
a) Peter, true to character, showed great boldness in that he feared not to go inside the tomb. Though John could out-run Peter, Peter could out-dare John. God’s gifts each one severally. May God make us both swift and strong for Him. (II Sam. 2:23)
b) Peter’s boldness produced a profitable discovery. (Verses 6b, 7)
(1) Christ left His grave clothes behind. Whatever clothes He would later be seen wearing we aren’t told, but they were not His grave clothes.
(2) This proves that the body was not taken. What grave robber would remove the linen grave clothes and lay them in place, and remove the napkin and lay it separately, in its place?
(3) When Lazarus came forth bound in grave clothes, they had to be removed so as to set him free. Jesus shed His binding clothes because it was not possible for death to hold Him. (Acts 2:24)
c) Peter’s boldness encouraged John, who, following his example, went inside the tomb. (Verses 8, 9)
(1) He saw exactly what Peter had seen, and believed.
(2) He saw and began to believe that Christ was risen from the dead. Some think that he saw, and believed what Mary had said, that someone had taken the body, but that seems very unlikely.
(3) John was not as forward as Peter about entering the tomb, but he was ahead of him in faith. Peter saw and wondered (Luke 24:12), but John saw and believed.
(4) Why were they so slow of heart to believe? (Verse 9) Here John tells us it was because they did not as yet understand the Scriptures. Christ Himself would later open their understanding. (Luke 24:45)

E. PETER AND JOHN ENQUIRED NO FURTHER, BUT INSTEAD, WENT BACK TO THEIR OWN HOMES. (VERSE 10)
1. They were at a lost what to do next. The Angel said unto them, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5) There was no point staying at the sepulcher.
2. They no doubt reported these things to the other disciples and talked together about them. We know that later that same day Jesus appeared to them as they were assembled together. (Luke 24:33ff)

II. TWO ANGELS APPEARED TO MARY MAGDALENE AT THE SEPULCHER. (VERSES 11-13)

A. WHEN PETER AND JOHN WERE GONE, MARY STAYED AT THE TOMB.
1. Where there is true love for Christ, there will be constancy and purpose of heart to cleave to Him. Where there is true desire to know Christ, there will be constant attendance on the means of knowledge.
2. She stayed there weeping and mourning her great loss. Though the loss was only temporary; her sorrow, like that of her Lord at the tomb of Lazarus, was real.

B. THE VISION SHE HAD OF TWO ANGELS IN THE SEPULCHER. (VERSES 12, 13) Angels attended the wonderful even of the birth of the only begotten Son of God. Now they honor Him again as He is begotten again in the resurrection. (Acts 13:33; Rom. 1:4)
1. These holy angels were in white apparel sitting on the ledge where Jesus body had lain; one at the head, and the other at the feet.
a) These messengers from heaven were sent, not only to honor the Son, but to minister comfort to Christ’s disciples. (Heb. 1:14)
b) There were two, for they were to bear witness that Christ was risen.
2. They tenderly enquired into the cause of Mary’s grief. (Verse 13)
a) This was a gentle rebuke. “Why weepest thou?” Why are you not rejoicing?
b) This was done to make way for the glad tidings that would turn her sorrow into rejoicing.
3. She gave the reason for her awful grief. “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him.” Clearly, she was not considering the possibility that He was risen.

III. THE RISEN CHRIST HIMSELF APPEARED TO MARY MAGDALENE AS SHE TALKED WITH THE ANGELS. (VERSES 14-18) Before the angels had given her any answer, the Lord Himself stepped in to satisfy her enquiries, and to dry her tears. God now speaks by His Son, and He alone can direct us to Himself.

A. NOTICE HOW CHRIST AT FIRST CONCEALED FROM HER WHO HE WAS. (VERSES 14, 15)
1. “She turned herself back.” Many believe that she turned and looked behind her because of the response of the angels to the presence of Christ.
2. The angels may have known that it was the Lord, but to Mary He was concealing His identity by appearing as a common man.
3. When He enquired of her why she was weeping, “She, supposing Him to be the gardener,” thought that perhap she had taken the body, and wanted him to take her to it so that she could retrieve it.

B. CHRIST, AT LENGTH MADE HIMSELF KNOWN TO MARY, AND COMMISSIONED HER TO BEAR THE NEWS TO HIS BRETHREN. (VERSES 16, 17)
1. He made Himself know to her by simply calling her name. He knows His sheep by name, and they know His voice. (John 10:27)
2. He spoke as Himself, and not as the gardener, and that familiar kind of loving tone was instantly recognized.
3. She turned (no doubt, quickly) and said, Raboni, that is, my Master, or my Teacher or teaching Master.
4. A further instruction He gave in Verse 17.
a) First, He headed off any familiar interaction with Him at that time. “Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended.” Later in the day he bade His disciples to touch Him. This means that His ascent to the Father occurred soon after this.
b) Second, He directed her what message to carry to His disciples. “But go to my brethren and say to them I ascend to my Father and your Father; and to my God and your God.” Two great consolations are here in these words:
(1) Our joint-relation to God resulting from our union with Christ, “…my Father, and your Father; …my God and your God.”
(2) Christ’s ascension into heaven is likewise an unspeakable comfort, because it is the further prosecution of His undertaking for us.

C. MARY MAGDALENE FAITHFULLY REPORTED OF WHAT SHE HAD SEEN AND HEARD TO THE DISCIPLES. (VERSE 18)