Faith Beyond the Page: A Trustworthy Witness and an Infinite Savior
John 21:24–25 (NKJV)
The Conclusion of John’s Gospel
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Message
John 21:24, 25 concludes the Gospel with two powerful verses. They affirm both the reliability of the written testimony about Jesus and the limitless nature of His life and works. These verses invite us not only to trust what is written but also to seek a living relationship with the risen Christ.
Verses 24 and 25 were likely not written directly by John, but by a later editor or compiler.
I. A Trustworthy Witness (24)
See verse 24.
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
In this verse, "the disciple" refers to John, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. The word “we” likely refers to a group of believers or followers connected to John. They are confirming that John’s testimony is true. Verse 24 helps us understand that the Book of John is unlikely to contain errors or misrepresentations, making this book accurate and trustworthy.
II. An Infinite Savior (25)
See verse 25.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
This verse teaches that there were many other things that Jesus did that are not written in this book (25a). The works of Jesus during His life on earth were so many that they could not all be recorded (25b).
His life was full of divine works that touched many people in many different ways. We are invited to keep believing in Him, experiencing Him, and discovering more about Him each day.
“You Follow Me” – The Personal Call of Discipleship
John 21:20–23 (NKJV)
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
Message
I. Peter’s Question About John (20-21)
Jesus signified by what death Peter would glorify God in John 21:19. Then, Peter saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following (20a). This disciple is John who wrote this book of John.
John had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” (20b). This shows how close John was to Jesus. They were intimate and shared the hidden truths.
There was a relationship of revelation and prophecy between Jesus and John. Jesus revealed the truth to John (revelation), and John later proclaimed it to others—to the world—as prophecy.
Peter, seeing this John, asked Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Maybe Peter was curious about John’s fate (21).
What was the answer of Jesus?
II. Jesus’ Response: A Personal Calling (22)
See v22.
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
From this, we learn that each one of us has God’s specific will for our own life. We don’t need to look at others or compare ourselves with them. We just need to obey the specific will and mission that God has given for our lives. We do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31; John 21:19).
Even though we follow the same Jesus, each of us has a unique destination—a personal path to glorify God through the journey as His disciple.
III. The Misinterpretation of Jesus’ Words (23)
See v23.
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
They misunderstood v22 and thought John would not die (23a). But v22 didn’t say that (23b). So, we should read the Bible carefully and accurately.
Again, we should focus on our own calling, as “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?” is repeated in both v22 and v23. Let us not compare our journey with others. Let each of us follow the unique path.
Peter’s Restoration and Ultimate Devotion to Christ
John 21:18–19 (NKJV)
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
Message
I. Peter’s Failure and Bitter Repentance
When Jesus spoke about His coming sacrifice, Peter declared in John 13:37 that he would lay down his life for Jesus. However, Peter was not able to keep his promise and instead denied Jesus three times, as recorded in John 18:17, 25, 26–27.
After this failure, Peter wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75; Luke 22:61–62). This shows how deeply Peter loved Jesus and how much he desired to honour Him by following Him closely.
II. Jesus’ Resurrection and Peter’s Restoration (18-19)
Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. After His resurrection, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” three times—matching the number of times Peter had denied Him (John 21:15–17). Each time Peter answered, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love You,” and each time Jesus responded by giving him a mission: “Feed My lambs,” “Tend My sheep,” or “Feed My sheep.” Jesus was redirecting Peter’s love into care for His people.
Then, in verse 18, Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to follow Him again:
18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” (18)
Verse 19a explains this:
19a This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.
Peter was later crucified for his faith. According to tradition, he requested to be crucified upside down, not considering himself worthy to die in the same way as Jesus. In this way, Jesus gave Peter the opportunity to recover from his earlier failure and truly follow Him.
Then, Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” (19b).
Earlier, Jesus had helped the disciples recover from their failure to catch any fish (Luke 5:1–11 and John 21:1–14). Now, He helped Peter overcome his failure to follow Him.
III. Peter’s Faith Journey and Devotion
Peter was truly thankful for Jesus. He was forgiven by grace (Luke 5:8, 10) and recognized that Jesus had the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Peter showed his trust and desire to be close to Jesus when he walked on water toward Him (Matthew 14:28–33). He boldly confessed his faith by declaring, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). At the same time, Peter rebuked Jesus when He spoke about His suffering and death (Matthew 16:21–22). Peter resisted but then submitted to Jesus washing his feet (John 13:8–9). In a moment of boldness, he cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant to try to prevent Jesus’ arrest (John 18:10). Out of respect and love for Jesus, Peter put on his outer garment before jumping into the water to reach Jesus (John 21:7). Afterward, Peter affirmed his love for Jesus three times (John 21:15–17). Peter boldly preached about Jesus (Acts 2–5).
IV. Conclusion
Because Jesus loved Peter, He blessed and helped him grow to love Him in the greatest way.
Peter’s Restoration by Love and Commission
John 21:15–17 (NKJV)
Christ Speaks to Peter
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep."
Message
I. Background
A. The More You Are Forgiven by Jesus, the More You Will Love Him
Once, Jesus taught, “The more sins someone is forgiven, the more love that person shows toward Jesus.” (See Luke 7:47).
B. Jesus Forgave Simon Peter
Simon Peter experienced Jesus’ forgiveness in Luke 5:1-11. Simon Peter was an ordinary fisherman who worked hard to feed his family. On that day, he had worked all night but, unfortunately, caught no fish (Luke 5:5). Jesus told him to try the deep water (Luke 5:4). When he obeyed, they miraculously caught a great number of fish, so much that their net began to break (Luke 5:6). Through this experience, Simon Peter realized he was a sinner (Luke 5:8), and Jesus forgave him by saying, “Do not be afraid.” (Luke 5:10)
C. Peter Loves Jesus
Peter loved Jesus so much that he declared he would die with Him (Matthew 26:35, Mark 14:31, Luke 22:33, John 13:37).
Peter expressed his love for Jesus by fighting to protect Him when they came to arrest Him (Matthew 26:51-52, Mark 14:47, Luke 22:49-51, John 18:10).
D. Peter’s Failure
However, Peter disowned Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-62, John 18:15-18, 25-27)
II. Peter’s Restoration by Love and Commission
Now, Jesus asked Simon Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Each time Peter answered, “Yes,” Jesus instructed him to feed or tend His lambs or sheep (15-17).
A. Jesus Loves His Sheep as Himself
This reminds us of Matthew 25:35-36, 40, where Jesus considers those who need care as ‘Himself’. Jesus wanted to redirect Simon Peter’s love for Him to those who need care.
B. The Primary Mission: Feeding His Sheep Spiritual Food and Tending Them
Also, this teaches us that feeding His sheep with spiritual food is a primary mission to fulfill, along with tending them with care and guidance. Let us remember John 6:63 and John 8:31–32.
John 6:63 (NKJV)
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
John 8:31–32 (NKJV)
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
The greatest problem of humanity is slavery to sin (John 8:34), and spiritual food—“truth”—sets them free from the slavery. Spiritual food gives eternal life, not physical food.
From Failure to Faith: Evangelism and Fellowship in the Risen Christ
John 21:1–14 (NKJV)
Christ Appears to the Seven Disciples
21 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
They answered Him, “No.”
6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.
7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. 8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. 9 Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
11 Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. 13 Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.
14 This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.
Message
I. The Disciples’ Failure at Sea (1-3)
John 21:1-14 records that Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. Seven disciples, including Simon Peter, were fishing but caught nothing during the night (3).
It was an unfortunate night of failure. They had experienced a similar failure just before Simon was called to follow Jesus. On that day, Simon said, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing.” (Luke 5:5 NKJV). Sometimes, we experience failure so that we can experience God's miracle.
II. Jesus Appears and Gives Direction (4-6)
That morning, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus (4). Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” (5) He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So, they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish (6).
Jesus performed a similar miracle in Luke 5:1-11. He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” When Simon and his work partners obeyed His word, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking (Luke 5:6 NKJV). Through this miracle, Simon Peter experienced the revelation and forgiveness of Jesus, surrendered before Him, and was called to be a fisher of men (Luke 5:11).
This miracle shows that Jesus will take care of them both physically and spiritually. Therefore, they simply needed to trust the Lord and prioritise the mission above all else (Matthew 6:33).
III. Recognising Jesus and Peter’s Passionate Response (7-8)
John told Peter, “It is the Lord!” Simon Peter put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea (7). Peter’s act of wearing his outer garment shows his respect toward the master. His plunging into the sea shows his passion and love for Jesus.
IV. Evangelism and Fellowship in the Risen Christ (9-14)
Jesus had set a fire of coals and fish laid on it, and bread (9). When they came to the land, Jesus asked them to bring some of the fish they had just caught (10). The net was full of large fish — 153 in total (11a). What is the meaning of 153?
- The literal count shows this event happened ‘actually’ and is a real miracle.
- Augustine suggests that 153 is related to 17 because 1 + 2 + 3 + … + 15 + 16 + 17 = 153. And 17 is 10 + 7, with 10 symbolising the Ten Commandments, representing the Law and with 7 symbolising Spiritual Completeness, representing the Holy Spirit. So, 10 + 7 = 17 (Law + Spirit). Thus, 153 symbolises the fullness of God’s people saved by Law and Spirit – the complete harvest of believers into the Kingdom.
- Jerome (early 400s AD) explains that ancient zoologists believed there were exactly 153 species of fish in the world. So, the 153 fish symbolise all nations and peoples – the whole world being brought into Christ through the Church.
While their net was breaking in Luke 5:6 but the net was not broken in v11b. The ‘large’ fish and ‘unbroken’ net show that their faith and capacity of evangelism had grown. The harvest of the church born through the resurrection of Jesus will be greater and more glorious.
Jesus then invited them to eat breakfast (12). Jesus took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish (13). Jesus demonstrated His love toward the disciples. He also demonstrated servanthood and taught the greatness of humility and serving others, as He showed and taught in John 13:1-17. Also, this fellowship is new if compared to the miracle written in Luke 5:1-11. This symbolises that the church is not only evangelising but also enjoying intimate fellowship and being nourished by Christ Himself.
This was now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead (14).
Easter Message: The Resurrection and the Unity
Zechariah 4:9 NLT
“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple, and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent me.
I. Background (9a)
Zechariah 4:9 is the message that came to the Prophet Zechariah from the Lord (Zechariah 4:8). Zechariah wrote this around 519 BC. See verse 9a.
“Zerubbabel is the one who laid the foundation of this Temple,“
Solomon began the construction of the First Temple, approximately in 966 BC, and it took seven years to complete (see 1 Kings 6). The First Temple was destroyed in 587 or 586 BC by the Babylonian forces under King Nebuchadnezzar II (see 2 Kings 25:8-9, 2 Chronicles 36:19-20, Jeremiah 52:12-14). After conquering Babylon in 539 BC, Cyrus, the founder of the first Persian Empire, issued a proclamation permitting Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (538 BC). Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, laid the foundation of the Second Temple in 536 BC (9a).
II. The Resurrection of Jesus and the Unity of the Church (9b)
See v9b.
“and he will complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent Me.”
God revealed that the Second Temple would be completed (9b). This completion is expressed as “setting the final stone of the Temple in place” (Zechariah 4:7), which represents the resurrection of Christ Jesus and the resulting birth of the Church. This event will show us that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has sent the Lord speaking in verse 9—who came as Christ Jesus.
In John 2:19, when Jesus said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” He was referring to His own body as the temple.
Therefore, the completion of the temple mentioned in Zechariah 4:7, 9 can be understood as the resurrection of His body. And this resurrection will make it known to the world that God the Father has sent Him.
Christ Jesus is the Head of the Church, and the Church is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23 NLT, Ephesians 4:15-16 NLT, Ephesians 5:23 NLT, Colossians 1:18 NLT, Romans 12:4-5 NLT). When He was raised—when the ‘temple’ was completed—His Church was born, where all believers are united as one. This unity of believers is clearly expressed in John 17:20-26.
John 17:20-26 is Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and all who will ever believe in Him through His disciples’ message (John 7:20 NLT).
See John 17:20-26 NLT.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.
22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”
Through the unity of believers, the world will know the Father has sent Jesus.
We learned Jesus’ resurrection gave birth to His Church, which means the unity of believers. Both Jesus’ resurrection and the unity of believers show the world that the Father sent Him (Zechariah 4:9 NLT, John 17:20-26 NLT).
Happy Easter!
Believe and Live: The Gospel of John and the Voice of Zechariah
John 20:30–31 (NKJV)
The Purpose of John’s Gospel
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
Message
The disciple John wrote this book. Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not recorded in this book (30). However, he wrote what he did write to help us believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that by believing, we may have life in His name (31).
John 1:14 declares that the Word became a human being and lived among us (c.f. 1 John 1:1-4). Jesus often affirmed that the Father had sent Him (see John 5:36, 6:38, 8:42, 12:49). The book of Zechariah, one of the prophetic books in the Old Testament, foretold these truths. See Zechariah 2:10-13 NLT.
10 The Lord says, “Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. 11 Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they, too, will be my people. I will live among you, and you will know that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies sent me to you. 12 The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. 13 Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling.”
Jesus said, “It is finished!” just before dying on the cross (John 19:30), indicating the work of redemption for the sins of humanity was complete. This fulfillment was foretold in the book of Zechariah. See Zechariah 3:9 NLT.
…and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.
I share these verses from Zechariah with readers of the book of John to illustrate the Old Testament prophesies and strengthen their faith.
Touching the Wounds, Finding the Truth
John 20:24–29 (NKJV)
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”
Christ Appears to the Disciples (Thomas Present)
1 Cor. 15:5
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Message
I. Thomas – Accustomed to Death, Slow to Believe Life
Last week, we studied that Jesus appeared to the disciples in the evening on the day He rose from the dead (John 20:19). At that time, Thomas was absent (24). The other disciples said to him that they had seen the Lord (25a). So, he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (25b)
Thomas is another example that shows how we tend to believe in the power of death and doubt the resurrection (25, John 11:16, 24, 39, John 20:2, 13, 15).
What Thomas said showed he was, in philosophical terms, like an empiricist, who believed that knowledge comes primarily from experience and observation, especially through the senses. Scientists often rely on empirical methods such as observation, experimentation and evidence-based reasoning. How did Jesus help him?
II. Faith Beyond Sight: Embracing Resurrection
See v26-27.
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
Jesus came to His disciples when Thomas was with them and let him see and touch His scars to help him believe. In Jesus, who is the resurrection and life (John 11:25-26), there is no despair and no darkness. How did Thomas respond? See v28.
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus changed Thomas from a believer in the power of death to a believer in the power of resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, all humanity—who once believed in the power of death—can be transformed into believers in the power of resurrection. Jesus included Thomas among His disciples so that people like him could also become true followers of Christ.
See v29.
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
While Jesus helped someone like Thomas, who needed physical evidence, He encouraged faith without seeing, saying, 'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' (29b)
Peace, Holy Spirit, Mission and Authority in the Risen Christ
John 20:19–23 (NKJV)
Christ Appears to the Disciples
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Message
At the predawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene discovered the stone had been taken away from the tomb (John 20:1), and the resurrected Jesus met her and spoke to her (John 20:14-17). She told the disciples this (John 20:18).
On that evening, Jesus came to His disciples (19a). They were afraid of the Jews (19b). Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you.” (19c)
Earlier, Jesus had foreseen that they would be afraid, so He had already given them His peace (John 14:27). Jesus reaffirmed the peace He had already given them in John 14:27.
The disciples saw His scars from the crucifixion and could confirm that the person standing before them was indeed Jesus and that He was resurrected from the dead. So, they were glad (20).
Jesus give them ‘peace’ again and send them to the world, just as the Father has sent Him (21).
Then, He breathed the Holy Spirit on them (22). The Holy Spirit empowers them to be witnesses to Jesus (Acts 1:8). Jesus gave the authority to forgive or retain sins of any (23).
Mary Magdalene: The First Witness of the Risen Christ
John 20:11–18 (NKJV)
Christ Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”
18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.
Message
I. Mary’s Grief and the Empty Tomb (11-13)
It was Mary Magdalene who first discovered Jesus’ tomb to be empty (John 20:1-2). Peter and John heard of it, came and saw the tomb empty, but they went back home. However, Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping (1a). She saw two angels in white inside the tomb (12). The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” (13a) What was her answer? See verse 13b.
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
She thought some people had taken away Jesus’ dead body. She did not even consider the possibility that Jesus had risen and walked out of the tomb.
We are used to thinking that death is the end. Our hearts are negative and darkened by the power and finality of death. When Jesus took His disciple with Him to raise the four-day-dead Lazarus in John 11, Thomas, one of His disciples thought they were going to die to see Lazarus in the realm of the dead (John 11:16). When Jesus said, “Your brother will rise again.”, Martha didn’t expect that Lazarus would rise now but at the last day (John 11:23-24). When Jesus wept because He was saddened by their unbelief in the resurrection and their belief in death, they mistakenly thought He was grieving over Lazarus’s death (John 11:35-37). When Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”, Martha advised Him of the stench from the four-day-dead body of Lazarus, reminding Him of ‘being too late’ due to her faith in the power of death (John 11:39).
Thanks to Jesus, who is the Resurrection and the Life, we are no longer bound by such negativity and darkness.
II. The Risen Jesus Appears to Mary (14-16)
Her belief in death was so strong that she couldn’t even recognise the risen Jesus when she saw Him alive—until He called her name (14-16)!
III. Jesus' Instruction and the New Relationship with God (17)
See verse 17.
17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ”
Here, ‘My Father and your Father’ and ‘My God and your God’ reveal that the barrier between God and humans was removed through Jesus’ redemption on the cross (Matthew 27:50-51, Mark 15:37-38, Luke 23:45-46). From this point on, as Jesus promised in John 16:23, they could pray to the Father directly in the name of Jesus.
IV. Mary as the First Witness and Messenger of the Resurrection (18)
Jesus had delivered Mary Magdalene from seven demons (Luke 8:2). She thanked and loved Him because of His forgiveness and salvation (Luke 7:41-48). Verse 11 also reflects this. Jesus not only forgave and saved her but also honoured her gratitude, love, and faith in Him by blessing her as the first to see the risen Jesus (14-16) and proclaim His resurrection to the disciples (18).
