A garden at the first grey of morning: a hoe and a clay water jar left beside a path among young olive trees, a small rock tomb far off below.

The Gospel According to

John 20

An open tomb before sunrise, a race in the half-light, and a woman who mistakes the risen Lord for the gardener.

31 verses≈ 5 min4 peopleBSB

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In this chapter

The Resurrection

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.

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So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.

Mary Magdalene

“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”

And he saw and believed.

John 20:8

For they still did not understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

Question

Quick question

Mary’s news sent two disciples running for the tomb.

Of the two disciples who ran, who reached the tomb first?

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

Then the disciples returned to their homes.

Inside a rock tomb, two figures in white light sitting at either end of an empty stone ledge, seen from behind and blurred by light.

But Mary stood outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent down to look into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.

0:13

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Two angels

“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked.

Mary Magdalene

“Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.”

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus.

“Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Jesus

“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”

I have seen the Lord!

John 20:18

Reflect

Called by name

Mary was looking for a body. She saw Jesus standing there and took Him for the gardener. Then He said one word: “Mary.” Where might Jesus be closer to you than you have noticed? What would change if you heard Him say your name today?

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.

John 20:21

Jesus Appears to Thomas

Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.

The disciples

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

Thomas

But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.”

A plain lamplit room at night, the heavy door barred, one man seen from behind standing quite still in the middle of the room.

Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”

0:26

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Seeing and believing

Whiteboard

First an empty tomb, then the risen Lord Himself: one by one, His followers see and believe. Then Jesus speaks of everyone who will come later and will not see Him with their eyes. John wrote down these witnesses for them.

Pray

My Lord and my God

Thomas wanted to see “the nail marks in His hands.” Jesus did not turn him away. He came back and said, “Stop doubting and believe.” Bring Him your honest doubts today, and ask for the faith to say with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!”

The Purpose of John’s Book

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.

You’ve experienced

John 20

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A verse to carry with you

But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:31

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