John 20:11-18

John 20:11-18

Jesus Comes to Mary Magdalene

Joh 20:11  But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,

Joh 20:12  And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

Joh 20:13  And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

Joh 20:14  And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

Joh 20:15  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Joh 20:16  Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

Joh 20:17  Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

Joh 20:18  Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

  

1. Often in Hard Times We End Up Looking for Jesus in All the Wrong Places – vs. 11-13
1. Mary was looking for a body instead of a risen Savior – often Jesus seems far away and out of touch with what is going on right now in our lives.

                                                              i.      Jesus is not just an important historical figure He lives right now

1.      Matthew 16:21-23 

2. Finding Jesus is Often as Easy as Turning Around – vs. 14
1. Because Mary was looking for a body she was unaware that Christ was already with her – Just like Mary we miss out on the precious relationship with Christ that is available to us because we are looking to connect with Christ outside of ways He has designed for us.

                                                              i.      Acts 2:38 

3. Jesus Wants to Help Us but We Try to Do it On Our Own – vs. 15
1. Mary wanted to carry the body away on her own which would have been impossible for a woman alone to do – Just like Mary it is impossible to improve our condition without God’s intervention.

                                                              i.      Ephesians 2:8-10 

4. Jesus Calls Us by Name – vs. 16a
1. All Jesus had to do was say her name and she knew instantly who He was – Just like Mary we learn the voice of the Shepherd by His personal call to us.

                                                              i.      Isaiah 43:1-2 

5. Jesus Wants us to Surrender to His Lordship. – vs. 16b
1. It is a blessing to recognize Christ as our Lord just like Mary did that day. He is the most glorious King.

                                                              i.      Jeremiah 23:5-6 

6. Jesus is Never Going to Leave Us
1. ‘Don’t touch me’ sound harsh in English but really the Greek expression is more like “You don’t have to cling to me, I am never going to leave you) – vs. 17-18

                                                              i.      Hebrews 13:5-6 

                                                            ii.      1 Corinthians 15:14-19