John 20:1-18

No More Confusion

            When was the last time you had good news? You know all those things that people get excited about, such as an engagement, a pregnancy, a new job offer, or any other major life event. When the excitement is real, it’s difficult to contain it. Even if it’s not something major, it could simply be bringing home good grades on your report card. It could be announcing a family trip or vacation you’ll be taking. If there’s one thing in common about all of these, it’s that we can never wait to share them. Few people will be able to contain their excitement from others in a way that doesn’t give off even a hint towards the good news you keep. But honestly, why keep it in anyway? If it’s truly good news, won’t everyone else be happy to hear it also? And if you’re worried that it will upset others, then perhaps you think it isn’t good after all. For of course, on a day like today, you know where I’m going with this. As Christians, we have the greatest news ever to be shared. Our excitement this morning is a testament to this fact. Indeed, the joy and happiness we feel today is unbridled by the animosity we face in our world. But the question should be, why do we let this excitement ever lessen? Why do we give in to the criticism of this world telling us that it’s not actually good news? If Jesus was truly raised from the dead, what in this world could truly trump such good news? Unless we don’t fully understand what his resurrection means…

            For as we rise early on this Easter Sunday, we join with the disciples who found this good news firsthand, and yet, remained confused by it. As the women journey to the tomb, they expect to find Jesus laying there, still wrapped, and dead. For their confusion isn’t lifted until they see our Lord risen from the dead. For so, as we come to see our Lord risen from the dead, let us learn:

GO AND TELL THE WORLD THAT JESUS IS RISEN!

I.

            As the women walked to the tomb that morning, I wonder if they talked at all. I wonder if they had any conversation, or if the weight of what had happened had drained them of any warmth. How common it is for all of us to shrink back into our own shell when our world just fell apart. But these women would be surprised when they arrived. As we read, “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him,” John 20:1-2. Mary is among the first to experience the empty tomb. Yet, while she might have heard from the other disciples about Jesus’ promise to rise, she assumes the worst. In her mind, an empty tomb creates more confusion than joy. After all, when we find things how we don’t expect, don’t we often assume the worst also? Who took Jesus’ body? Did the Pharisees hide him somewhere so no one could find him? Thus, she goes to the disciples to see if they know of the situation.

            Upon telling Peter and the others, Peter decides to go to the tomb himself. Racing to the tomb with John, Jesus’ “beloved” disciple, they come to find the tomb empty as well, except one new detail. The cloths that had been wrapped around Jesus were folded nicely and laying in the spot where Jesus was. For most of us, you would think that would be enough. Especially after thinking about what Jesus said during his time among them. However, this is what John tells us, “for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead,” John 20:10. Even after seeing the tomb, after seeing the cloths, after three years of Jesus teaching them about all of this, they still didn’t understand! But let’s be honest, do we always understand? Sure, we have the gift of hindsight, but have we fully grasped the significance and uniqueness of the Resurrection? Or have we let our experience in sin tarnish our belief? For this is the problem with the disciples even on this resurrection morning, they still didn’t fully believe someone could rise from the dead!

II.

             Of course, there was only one thing to clear up the disciple’s confusion. They had to see Jesus. For what happens next? Let’s read, “And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet… Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher),” John 20:12, 15-16. Jesus wasn’t dead! He was risen! What becomes the first of many resurrection appearances, Jesus reveals himself to Mary just by saying her name. For how do we see Jesus today? No, he may not stand in front of us physically and talk with us. We don’t have the benefit of touching his hands and feet. Rather, we see him today through his Word. Yes, even today, we see Jesus by faith as he comes to us through his Word, in his church, and through his people. For God doesn’t want us to doubt either! Thus, he hasn’t left us without witnesses.

             Consider that now you have become his witnesses. Yes, you! For together, we have seen our Lord betrayed by Judas. Together, we have listened as his life was judged by Pilate and the chief priests. We’ve stared at Jesus as he hung on the cross in complete agony and pain. We’re the ones who now have placed our Lord into the tomb. And yet, here we are on the third day, as he has said, seeing him risen from the dead! You’re the ones to whom our Lord has spoken and now must grasp the meaning of his words. For what does the resurrection mean for you? It’s not something you can so quickly brush off. Rather, it means that the sin which once controlled you met its match. It means that the death you have so long feared is now afraid of you. It means that you have been claimed by the Lord of all the universe so that by his sacrifice, he may forgive you and grant you life everlasting! Jesus’ resurrection means that you now have new life! From the moment he has claimed you as his own through all of eternity! You are his so that he shall come back and call you from your grave.

            So, what is left to do but to tell the world? Yes, with such tremendous news, we can’t help but go out to all people and tell them this wonderful news. That Jesus has died for us and our sins, and now is risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity! So, go… go and tell the world that Jesus is risen! In Jesus’ name! Amen!