Recap of 4/14/13 (John
20:9-18):
1. “John closes his
profound gospel with a particularly detailed account of the post-Resurrection
appearances of the Lord. The Resurrection is the ultimate sign that points to
Jesus as the Son of God.” (Wilkerson)
2. John authenticates the resurrection and by
it the deity of Jesus Christ, by:
-the empty tomb
(20:1,2)
-the position and
order of the grave clothes (20:3-8)
-the repeated
surprise of the disciples over the resurrection (it was not something they were
expecting)
-the appearances of
Jesus after the crucifixion to Mary (20:10-18), to the Disciples without Thomas
(20:19-25), to the Disciples with Thomas present (20:26-29), to some Disciples
on the shore of the Sea of Galilee (21)
-the change in the
disposition of Mary (20:10-18) and the Disciples (20:19-28) from fear, gloom,
and sorrow to rejoicing
3. Mary’s devotion, her heart is wrapped up in
the Savior, she wouldn’t be distracted from the desire to be with Him. She is a model to believers today who are
distracted too many times from devotion to Jesus by career, material things,
life’s circumstances, even family and friends.
4. “How did [Mary] respond [to Jesus freeing
here from 7 demons]? By becoming a
devoted follower of Christ who not only talked the talk, but walked the
walk. She put her money where her mouth
was in support of the ministry of Christ and His disciples. Her life, values, priorities—all had been
changed, radically transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ!” (Bill Crowder, The Path of His Passion)
