John 20 | What's happening (and who's involved)?

Despite the fact that Jesus declared that it is finished, the story is not over. The power in the death of Jesus is made of effect when met with His resurrection. And it is exactly that that we will talk about this week.

John 20 opens up with Mary Magdalene going early to the tomb. When she gets there, she sees that the stone had been removed from the tomb. She ran back to Simon Peter and the disciple whom Jesus loved (believed to be John) and shares her report. Someone took Jesus' body. They both run back to the tomb, John outrunning Peter, and look in only to find that Jesus' body is in fact not there. John entering in, Scripture tells us, then believed. Even still, they did not yet know that He must rise again. Then they head back to their own homes.

Mary stayed at the tomb weeping. She stoops down and looks into the tomb and is met with an incredible revelation. You have at the place where Jesus' body was laid, an angel at the foot and an angel at the head. They inquired of why Mary was weeping. She confessed that she still believed someone took His body. She turns and sees Jesus but believes Him to be the gardener. She begs to know where Jesus was taken. Then Jesus calls her by name. At this her eyes are opened and she sees. "Rabboni!" She cries out. Now I want us to picture this scene for a moment. Mary Magdalene is distraught at not being able to find the body of Jesus. She is left alone at this and is inquiring of someone to help her find Jesus' body. When her eyes are opened and she recognizes that this person she is asking about the body of Jesus is Jesus, she hastens to Him. How do we know that? Jesus' response is to tell her not to cling to Him. She is running up and holding on to Him. He gives her a simple command to tell the other disciples that He is going to ascend to His Father and their Father and His God and their God.

That very evening, Jesus also appears to the disciples, save for Thomas. He showed them His hands and side. He also imparted on them the Holy Spirit. But by the time Thomas is present, Jesus is gone. They tell Him that they have seen the Lord but he, as any skeptic would, tells the disciples that he will not believe unless he places his fingers in the holes and in the side. Either days later, Thomas gets his wish. Jesus appears to them again and invites Thomas to touch the holes in His hands and the gash at His side. A powerful statement is given. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. And He blesses those who do not see but yet believe.

The chapter concludes by highlighting that Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples. The ones that have been selected are for the purpose of doing exactly what Jesus had instructed, that we may believe. And in our belief, we may have life through His name.

What observations are you making?