THE EMPTY TOMB

JOHN 20:1-18

Introduction

Think about this.Ann is lying on the floor dead.There is broken glass and water all

around her.Stuart is asleep on the sofa and is

oblivious to the death.How did Ann die?

Well Ann is a fish and Stuart is a cat.The glass and water all around Ann

on the floor is the fishbowl.Stuart successfully knocked it over.

On Friday night, a man dies. He is buried the same night.

On Sunday, some friends arrive at the tomb to pay their respect.

But the tomb is empty.What happened?

The Scene

At least 5 women approach the tomb to properly prepare the body of Jesus for burial.

They are wondering about the huge stone at the entrance – Mark 16:3

When they arrive, the find the soldiers asleep – Matt.28:4

An angel has rolled the stone away – Matt.28:2

But the body is gone.Angels announce that Jesus is risen.They run and tell the disciples.But none of it made sense.Two disciples, John and Peter and

Mary Magdalene go to the tomb themselves.

They wanted to decide for themselves why the tomb was empty and what it meant.

We all agree that the tomb was empty.

But what is your response to that?How does it affect your life?Three different people came and

each one responded differently.

1. JOHN THE BELIEVER

The first to arrive at the tomb was John – v.3-5

John heard the news.He jumped and ran to the tomb.He wanted to believe. He loved Jesus.

He was the most faithful.He was there at the courtyard.He was there at the cross.He was willing to take Jesus’ mother

into his house.But when he got to the tomb, he did

not enter.Maybe he was breathless.

What if it was a Roman trap?What if the women were wrong?Then Peter arrives and he enters.John follows Peter.They both see the evidence.But each responded differently -

(v.8-9)John saw and believed.

The empty tomb was enough evidence for him.

He did not need to see Jesus to know that He was alive.

He had heard the Jesus’ prophecies about His death and resurrection.

It was enough.

Some of us are like John.We believe there is an empty tomb

and also the testimony of Christians to the fact that Jesus is alive.

We do not need to see to believe.This is what Jesus said – John 20:29John reacted to the empty tomb

with belief.

2. PETER, THE SKEPTIC

Peter was a litter slower than John to arrive at the tomb.

Maybe because he was older.Peter wanted to see Jesus.The last time Peter saw Jesus was when he denied Him.

He knew he would be confronted with his sin and guilt.

Peter was feeling the pain of his past.

He wanted Jesus alive, but did not know how he was going to face Him.

Some of us are like that.

We want to believe but there is too much pain.

We forget that Jesus can forgive and He can heal.

Peter went into the tomb.He saw the evidence – the linen and

the cloth.

He knew something had happened.But not enough to prove that Jesus

was alive.Luke says that Peter was “wondering

to himself as what had happened” – Luke 24:12

He needed more evidence..In v.10, we read he left.

He left without even coming to a conclusion.

If he had waited a little longer, he would have experienced a miracle.

Today many people do not have enough evidence to place their faith in Jesus.

The do not hang around long enough.

They do not read God’s Word enough.

They do not spend enough time in prayer.

They walk out before they see the miracle happening.

Peter walked out of the empty tomb with a broken heart.

3.MARY, THE BROKEN - HEARTED

Peter and John left. But Mary stayed. (v.11-13)Mary Magdalene came to tomb

when “it was still dark”.It also describes the condition of their heart.Mary was depressed.

She had lost someone she valued.Jesus meant a lot to her:a. Release – when she met Jesus she

was enslaved by 7 demons.Jesus released her and she found

peace.b. Forgiveness – Jesus had forgiven

of all her actions and released her from her sin.

c. Leadership –She was lost without Jesus. He had given meaning to her life.

She though all was gone and so she wept.

But a miracle happened.

“I have seen the Lord -”v.14-18Mary wanted to see Jesus more than

anyone else.She got her desire.

CONCLUSION

All three saw the same tomb.But each had their own different

reactions.Many are like John – they see and

believe.Jesus calls them “Blessed”.

Some are like Peter – they see but do not know what to believe.

They also do not understand why people come to church every Sunday.

They do not wait long enough to see a miracle.

Some are like Mary.They wait to have their questions

answered and see their faith grow.The witness the power of

transformation.What is your response?