A Ruse?  or A Resurrection?
John 20:1-18
March 30, 1997 

            Heaven's Gate.  That is a rather innocent sounding name for a group of religious devotees.  Yet that innocence turned to tragedy this week as thirty-nine people committed suicide over a three day period so that they could 'enter heaven's gate'.  This curious cult mixed a little Bible, a little astronomy, a little New Age, a little computer and a lot of weirdness into a deadly religion.  It seems that with the appearance of the Hale-Bopp comet in the northwestern, evening sky, members of the cult thought they could enter an extra-terrestrial spaceship which was following the comet, thus opening the way to 'heaven's gate'.  Their devotion was to UFO's.

            We shake our heads at the strangeness of that kind of religion.  We wonder how anyone could be so deluded to join a group like that and meet with such a horrible end.  Yet, with all of its weirdness, members of that cult believed their teaching to be truth to the point of laying down their lives.  But a belief focused on a delusion ends in eternal calamity.  It is a ruse that leads only to the gates of hell.

            As difficult as it may seem to us, there were many people who viewed the early Christian's claims of the resurrection of Christ in much the same way we would view the Heaven's Gate cult.  Paul stood on Mar's Hill in ancient Athens, a center of Greek religious life, and proclaimed the only, true God.  After declaring who God is, Paul declared that this God demands repentance of every man in light of the fact that He will judge the world through His Son whom He raised from the dead.  Upon hearing the teaching of the resurrection, many of the Athenians scoffed!  They thought that Paul was strange and that his teaching of the resurrection of Christ even stranger.

            The source of their scoffing in Athens was their own ignorance of the living God and the uniqueness of the soul of man.  They had erected a memorial to the unknown God and Paul declared to them this God and what He has done to save sinful men through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Critical to the saving work of Christ is His resurrection from the dead.

            The whole Christian faith hinges on the resurrection.  For centuries, scoffers have tried to ridicule the idea of a resurrection.  Yet the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a truth which anchors our eternity upon the solid foundation of the gospel of Christ.  It is not a minor component to our salvation.  The resurrection stands with the death of Christ as the only means for sinners to be reconciled to God.

            To truly understand the resurrection is to be forever changed.  I do not believe that you can honestly look at the resurrection with its implications and remain neutral concerning Jesus Christ's call to follow Him.  Unfortunately, many people consider the resurrection to be a ruse, a trick devised by the disciples to dupe the masses into allegiance.  Some take only a peek at the resurrection but have failed to believe.  Some assume its veracity without considering its power and demand.

            The resurrection of Jesus Christ confronts each of us with our profound need to have the work of Jesus Christ applied fully to our lives.  Do you truly understand the resurrection of Jesus Christ?  Consider with me the call to understanding the resurrection.

 

I.  A resurrection without understanding

            The resurrection was not a first century idea.  The Old Testament prophesies of the resurrection of the Messiah.  Psalm 16:10 declares, "For Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Sheol; neither wilt Thou allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay."  This Messianic psalm reminds us that while all of us are subject to the decay of death, the resurrection powerfully prevented this natural course from affecting our Lord.  Psalm 110 speaks of Christ's Kingship and Kingdom.  A dead king is of no use to his kingdom.  "The Lord says to my Lord:  'Sit at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for Thy feet'" (110:1).  He rules over an eternal Kingdom, one which death could not stop because of the power of the resurrection.  The great gospel of the Old Testament in Isaiah 53 tells us of the agony of Christ's death, bearing the iniquities of sinners before God's justice bar.  With triumph, Isaiah declares, "But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days.  And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand" (53:10, emphasis added).  The Messiah's death would not put an end to what He would see or His continuing prosperity by the Father's hand.  There would be much more to come following His death because of the resurrection.

            Yet, with all of the Old Testament teaching on the resurrection, the disciples were still dull in their understanding of the empty tomb.  They had not grasped the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

            1.  Necessity of the resurrection

            When John saw the empty tomb, he recalls that he "believed."  That belief was not by any means full, but it was moving in the right direction.  Some suggest that John simply believed Mary's report that the tomb was empty.  Others state that John believed that something wonderful had happened.  I believe that his belief was focused upon the truth that Jesus is God, so the absence of His body, the linen wrappings in their place, the promises of Christ pointed him to the wonderful truth that Christ was alive.  What all of that meant in terms of his salvation, John probably did not understand.  But in terms of his worship, he was overwhelmed by the empty tomb.

            He makes a very important comment for us that underscores the necessity of the resurrection.  "For as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead."  The emphasis is on the word, "must."  It shows the necessity of the resurrection.  So, why is the resurrection necessary?

            A denial of the resurrection is really a denial of the gospel and God's ability to save sinners.  The resurrection is a must, not simply a fanciful religious tale.  It was necessary for several reasons:

            First, the resurrection vindicates the false charges of blasphemy which the Jews made concerning Jesus, treating Him as if He was a criminal.  The Jews who instigated the arrest and crucifixion of our Lord also added charges that He was a criminal of the basest sort, deserving the ignominious death of crucifixion.  The resurrection proved that Jesus is who He declared Himself to be, the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4), not a criminal deserving death.

            Second, the resurrection gave evidence that the sacrifice of Christ satisfied for man's guilt and condemnation before God.  It was the declaration that all the Father sent Christ to do in the cross was accomplished; that atonement was made and a satisfaction completed (John 19:30).  We know that Jesus "paid it all" by the fact that death could not keep Him as it has all other humans.

            Third, the resurrection demonstrates that Jesus, as the Captain of our salvation, has conquered the enemies of sin, death, and Satan.  There is no more fear of death because its sting has been taken away and its power has been conquered through the work of Christ (Heb. 2:14-15; I Cor.15:54-57).

            Fourth, "the resurrection was necessary to enable Christ to be our Sanctifier, Advocate, and King."  The continuing work of the Spirit began only after the resurrection.  Christ continues to intercede for us and to reign over us.  A dead man cannot sanctify, mediate, or reign!  (John 16:7; Rom. 8:11; I Cor. 6:15; I Thes. 4:14).

            Fifth, "the resurrection of Christ is the earnest and proof of our" own resurrection.  Because He has been raised from the dead, so also shall we who are in Him.  His resurrection is the first-fruits of those who will ultimately be raised in His likeness (I Cor. 15:20,24; Phil 3:21) [outline and quotes are gleaned from R.L. Dabney, Systematic Theology, 548-549]

            This is why we can call the resurrection the 'hinge of our salvation' or as Calvin states, "the chief article of our faith, and without it the hope of eternal life fails" [Calvin's New Testament Commentaries, 191].  As Paul put it, "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (I Cor. 15:14).  The resurrection declares with finality that our salvation has been accomplished through our Mediator, Jesus Christ the Lord.

            So we can appeal to any who do not have the assurance of a right standing with God, that through Jesus Christ there is hope.  Because He is alive, having conquered the sin that enslaves you, having removed the curse of Adam's fall, you can be brought into a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

            2.  False conclusions

            In some ways, it is rather easy to see these truths after 2000 years of Christian history.  But for the first disciples, it was not so easy.  They did not have the benefit of the testimony of the four Gospels, nor the detailed explanations of the resurrection in the Epistles.  At the dawning of the resurrection, we see some early followers drawing false conclusions. 

            Mary Magdalene stated, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him....they have taken away My Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him....Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away."  Mary was earnest about Christ and desiring to find His body.  She had seen the lifeless body of the crucified Lord.  Now she was a first witness to the empty tomb.  Rather than thinking of a resurrection, which Christ predicted, she could only think that further adversity had afflicted her. 

            Grave robbing was not uncommon during that era.  It was so rampant that a later Roman Emperor had even made it a crime punishable by death [Emperor Claudius in 41-54 AD, according to D.A. Carson, The Gospel According to John, 636].  When the discoverer of the treasures of King Tut, Howard Carter, began to unearth the 3300 year old tomb of the boy king, he found that grave robbers had proceeded him by 2000 years!  But grave robbery was out in this case.  Robbers would not have taken the time to unwind the expensive linen cloths from a body and not take it with them.  Plus, this tomb was guarded by Roman guards who had authority to kill anyone who attempted to enter the tomb.

            Mary did not understand the resurrection.  She did not grasp, at this point, the necessity of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  She was an ardent follower of Christ, but her eyes had not been opened to the need to rest in His death and resurrection for her eternal salvation. 

            There are a lot of people who are similar to Mary Magdalene.  They have an affection for Christ.  They admire Him.  Perhaps they have even made commitments to follow Him, but they have failed to see the power of His death and resurrection.  They have made some false conclusions.  My friend, Jesus Christ came to save sinners through bearing their sin and guilt at the cross, rising from the dead to declare the sufficiency of His work.  Jesus is not simply a great religious figure to admire.  He is Lord of all who demands that we repent of our sin and trust in Him and His finished work for our eternal salvation.

 

II. A resurrection with partial understanding

            At least John was unlike Mary Magdalene at this point.  "So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb entered then also, and he saw and believed."  He may not have grasped all of the saving ramifications involved in the empty tomb, but he knew that the Messiah was accomplishing what no one else had ever done.  John knew that death could not hold his Lord.  Jesus Christ was alive.

           

            1.  Investigation

            When Peter and John first heard the report of the empty tomb, they raced to see if it was so.  "Peter went forth, and the other disciple, and they were going to the tomb...."  Later, we see the persistence of Mary Magdalene who continued to seek an answer to the dilemma of the empty tomb.  There was investigation on their part.  They had all seen the lifeless body of Christ.  They had all seen it wrapped in the linen cloths with the burial spices spread over His body.  They knew that a huge stone had been rolled in front of the tomb and that it had been sealed by the Jewish authorities.  They also understood that Roman guards stood in front of it so that no grave robbers could come near.  They knew all of this, but now the tomb was empty.  They found only the grave cloths, lying as though His body simply passed through them.  They were puzzled because they understood that the myrrh used in burials would have cemented the linen to His body.  Now the cloths are in their place and the face-cloth rolled up and set aside by itself.

            You almost have the makings of a great mystery to be solved!  These followers of Christ wanted answers.  They began to investigate what had happened.  It was in the process of investigation that Mary found her answer.

            I would point out this very simple truth to you this morning for the reason that if the resurrection of Jesus Christ is true (and I believe it is!), then it demands your investigation to its claims and purpose.  Some of you have heard of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ but you really could not give a definitive answer as to why Jesus had to die and why He had to be raised from the dead.  You just assume it.  It is merely religious rhetoric to you.  But can you be so casual about something so incredible?  Can you consider the resurrection only one day out of the year and live the rest of the year as though it was not true?

            I challenge you to seriously investigate the claims of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Look into the truth that Jesus Christ claimed to be God Himself.  Look into the truth that Jesus Christ never sinned; never in thought or deed.  Look into the truth of Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, leading to His death.  Why was He agonizing?  Surely it was not simply due to the pain of physical death which he faced.  Many men before and after have faced death without flinching.  Could it be that the agony of His death was due to the weight of bearing your sin before God?  Could it be that He understood the horrible wrath which would fall upon Him on your behalf, a wrath that you deserve?  Consider the cross and what took place.  What did Jesus mean when, in His last breath, He cried, "It is finished!"?  You must understand that Jesus did not die to inspire you to give yourself for others.  Too many other people have done that.  What Jesus did in His death on the cross had to be unique.  So what did He do?  He claimed that He would rise from the dead.  The whole New Testament gives detailed testimony to this truth.  Over five hundred people saw Jesus Christ after the resurrection.  His disciples all claimed it to be true and to a man, they all were either martyred or exiled for their testimony.  Could they have continued with such a testimony in the face of persecution and execution had it not been true?

 

            2.  Contemplation

            In your investigation of the claims of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I would encourage you to contemplate what you see.  That's what John, Peter, and Mary were doing.  They were puzzled.  They certainly did not understand all that they had seen.  But they continued seeking and thinking about it.  Their minds were consumed with the thoughts of Jesus dying on the cross and Jesus rising from the dead.

            I think this is gathered from the narrative, as John ran first to the tomb, "and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings there; but he did not go in....So the other disciple who had first come to the tomb entered then also, and he saw and believed."  He saw and believed.  With his physical eyes he saw.  And with all of his heart and mind, he believed the report of his physical sight.

            We do not have such occasion to physically look at the empty tomb.  I've heard a number of people report on their visit to Jerusalem and seeing the Garden tomb that is reported to be the burial place of Christ.  Their conclusion:  it's empty!  But you do not have to travel to Jerusalem to see this.  Look into God's Word.  See the declaration of the Gospel writers that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.  Hear the testimony of its witnesses, including the persecutor of the church, Saul of Tarsus:  ""But now Christ has been raised from the dead" (I Cor. 15:20).  Look at the record of the centuries as believer after believer has been transformed by the power of the crucified, risen Lord:  He lives! 

            Can you see the record of God's Word and the unimpeachable testimony of believers through the centuries and be careless with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?  If you have any hope of eternity or any hope of knowing God, then you must investigate to see if what I'm preaching to you is true.  You must contemplate it as the only hope for sinful men.  But let's be more pointed.  You must see the death and resurrection of Christ as your only hope for a right standing with Almighty God.

 

III. A resurrection with understanding

            It is true that the resurrection became the central message in the preaching of the early church.  Of course, the mention of a resurrection necessitates first of all a death.  The death of Jesus Christ was a propitiatory death.  By that I mean, His death was a satisfaction for the demands upon us due to our guilt before God.  We all died in Adam.  We bear in our own bosom the curse of his fall in the Garden of Eden (Romans 5:12-20).  We stand condemned before God and under His wrath as law-breakers.  Our own enmity with God prevents us from putting ourselves in a more suitable condition with God [see Romans 3].  So, out of God's great mercy and love, Jesus Christ died on behalf of sinners, so that sinners might become righteous before God.  But how do we know that this death was accepted by God?  That's where we see the authenticating power in the resurrection. 

            But it is possible for you to have all of this in your head and still be at enmity with God.  I would suppose that there are some this morning who listen that say, 'I believe all that you've said,' but your are still full of guilt and have no assurance of God's favor upon your life.  So, how can this change, forever?

 

            1.  Encounter

            Mary did not understand the resurrection.  But she investigated and contemplated what she had seen.  Still, she was not affected until she encountered Jesus Christ. 

       When she had said this, she turned around, and beheld Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"  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 Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher).

            This has to be one of the most moving portions of God's Word!  Mary saw Jesus, yet she did not see Him.  Then, suddenly, her eyes were opened as He spoke her name.  With that encounter, faith became sight, and Mary knew that her Redeemer lives.

            You can see these truths written in black ink on white paper and never be moved.  But when you encounter Jesus Christ, all you can do is humble yourself in the dust and cry, "Rabboni!"  My friend, people still have encounters with Jesus Christ.  I'm not speaking of a mysterious, physical encounter.  I'm referring to a faith-encounter.  You encounter Jesus Christ through the reading of God's Word; through the preaching of God's Word; through the teaching of the Word in a Bible study; through the testimony of someone who has become a new creature in Christ; through the goodness of God shown to you in acts of His mercy; through the singing of Christ-filled hymns; through an act of worship.  Perhaps you have encountered Him this morning or better yet, in your own heart He has called your name as He did to Mary.  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28).

            When you encounter Jesus Christ, I can assure you that you will become conscious of your own sinfulness and unworthiness.  Just as Isaiah saw the Lord and cried, "Woe is me, for I am ruined!  Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5), you too will see your sinfulness.  And as Mary, you too will see the worthiness and sufficiency of Jesus Christ.  She clung to Him as if she would never let go!  But she did not have to do that.  Jesus kept her in His hand forever, just as He does all who come  to Him in faith.  When you encounter Jesus Christ, you cannot be neutral.  When you see Him as the Savior, Lord, Mediator you will run to Him for mercy and grace.

 

            2.  Response

            Mary's response was quite simple.  She immediately knew who Jesus was and in great submission, she called, "Rabboni!"  It was a title reserved for an elevated and illustrious teacher.  Though we do not use it in our common tongue, it carries the same effect of Mary calling Jesus, "Lord."  Later, when Thomas encountered the risen Lord, he uttered the confession, "My Lord and my God!"  Both of these are responses of faith and submission to the revelation of Jesus Christ.

            That brings us to the focal point of this study in God's Word.  If your understanding of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ seems to suddenly be running over, then believe Him.  Cast aside your doubts.  Turn from your self-trust.  Repent of your own sin against God.  And like Mary, embrace Jesus Christ in faith, trusting Him alone as your Mediator before God, as your Redeemer from the bondage of sin, as your Lord who rules over your life forever.

            Faith is really our believing response to the revelation of God in Christ.  By faith, we lay claim to the merits of Jesus Christ as our own merits.  By faith, we open our minds and hearts to receive the Holy Spirit to indwell us.  By faith, we rest in Jesus Christ and Him crucified and raised from the dead as our only sufficiency before God.

           

Conclusion

            Mary gave testimony to understanding the resurrection.  "Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her."  The reality of Christ's saving work in your life means that you will want to declare before other believers, "I have seen the Lord."  That is, 'the Lord has saved me; I now belong to Him forever.  I have received of the well-springs of His mercy and grace.  I truly believe and I will never be the same'.

            Is this your testimony?  My friend, if not, then I appeal to you to consider the cross of Christ and the empty tomb.  The truth of Easter demands your response of repentance and faith.

            If the resurrection is merely a ruse, then I would recommend that you never set foot in a church again.  Nor should you ever give a passing thought to Jesus Christ. 

            But if it is real, and this is the truth upon which we stand, then cry to this living Lord for mercy and grace to secure you in His righteousness forever. 

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