John Chapter 20:1-8

Do you understand every one of us is going to go through hard times? Every one of us is going to do something really silly or stupid at some point in our lives. And the tendency is when somebody does something like that to step back from them and go, is that what Jesus did?

Our tendency is to look at people and go, look what you did. Is that what Jesus did? You look at the woman at the well. Do you understand how very little Jesus said about her past?

Oh, he mentioned it. What about the forgiving woman in John chapter eight? Certainly he went through and they explored and analyzed all her mistakes as he said, look what you've done. The only thing he said is that he forgave her. Go and send no more.

What an incredible model. Welcome to Cross the Bridge with David McGee. David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina.

We know that any relationship can be difficult, but it's important to remember that we should be friends during hard times, not just the good times. Today, Pastor David helps us understand how to be good friends as he continues in the Gospel of John chapter 20. Now here's David McGee with his teaching, The Empty Tomb. Please open your Bibles to John chapter 20. We're continuing on with our verse by verse study.

John chapter 20, verse one. Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early while it was still dark and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Now last week in the preceding weeks, we were dealing with the crucifixion, a central event in Christianity. This week, we're going to be talking about the resurrection, which is also a central event in Christianity.

A lot of churches will preach the crucifixion and talk about the cross, but then shy away from the resurrection. And the reason is the resurrection obviously contains something supernatural. It doesn't take something supernatural in order to die.

People die every day. But in order for that dead person that come back to life, well, that obviously takes something supernatural. And there's something about us in our humanity that makes us a little uncomfortable talking about the fact that somebody that died didn't stay dead, but realize that is the resurrection. Jesus died and he didn't stay dead.

I mean, you know, we're so aware of the fact that we don't actually consider it. And it says now on the first day of the week, now understand something, the Jewish people to this day of your Orthodox, you don't name the days. Only one day has a name and that's the Shabbat. There's day one, day two, day three, day four, day five, day six, then your Shabbat, which is Saturday. It's from sundown Friday to sundown on Saturday. That's the Shabbat or the Sabbath is the word that we use. Now, and so understand that this first day of the week, it's Sunday. It's Sunday. They wouldn't have called it the first day of the week. They'd have said, I mean, they wouldn't have called it Sunday. They would have called it the first day of the week because the names for our days came much later. And you, I don't know, maybe you understand the origins of the days. I'm not going to get locked in on this, but Sunday was to worship the sun. Monday was to worship the moon.

Tuesday, Mars, Wednesday, Mercury, Thursday, Thor, Friday, Venus, Saturday for Saturn. Now, does that mean that you can't use those words anymore? No, it doesn't. I mean, because for some of you, you're like, just now you, what really? Moon God, what in the world is that? So it's not like you're worshiping these pagan deities through the names of the days, but you should be aware probably that that's how it came about. And you know what, in a way, using Sunday to worship the sun, S-O-N, that's kind of cool.

And not S-U-N, but S-O-N. So if you're worshiping the sun on Sunday, S-O-N, you're good. Praise God. Verse 2, then she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them, they have taken away the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they laid him. Now, who is the disciple, the disciple that Jesus loved? Yeah, John. How do we know that? John tells us.

But that's, you know, that's good. John knew that the Lord loved him. When Mary went to the tomb, she was going to grieve and they were going to finish the preparation of the body. She wasn't coming there to see if he had risen, because I want you to notice as we go through this chapter over the next few weeks how caught off guard everybody is. They weren't like, oh, this is what he was talking about.

They're like, what happened? Now, understand that because, again, it indicates that this is a whole God thing. Now, it says we. Mary says we. In John's account, this is important to understand, in John's account of the next events, he gives his experience and his eye witness.

Okay? The other accounts of the Gospels give another perspective. But notice that Mary says we. So we know there was other people there.

There's no contradiction there. As a matter of fact, we're told who those, who we is. Now, guys, I'm going to warn you before I read this verse. This is not one of our best moments.

Okay? But in Luke 24, verse 9, it says, then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the leaven and to all the rest. And it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.

Ouch. If you're a guy. Hallelujah, I guess, if you're a girl. God used these ladies to pronounce the good news, and the guys said it was like idle talk.

Man, not one of our more noble moments, my guys. I mean, not just that they didn't believe them, but that it was idle talk. So the picture I get is these ladies, his body's not there. Oh, be quiet. We know, you were probably in the wrong cemetery. You got lost. You're looking in the wrong place talking about he's not there. And understand the irony of this.

This isn't a day and age where in most courts the witness and the testimony of a woman was inadmissible. And this is who God uses to announce the resurrection. And the guys, they miss it. They're like, oh, come on, quit the chatter. Y'all leave. We're having a meeting. We're doing important things.

They miss it. Now, it's interesting that Mary is the one that's telling Peter and John. Mary was, you know, Mary Magdalene who had been possessed by seven demons.

Not, a lot of people think that she was a prostitute before she got saved. That's not a biblical concept. That's a church traditional concept that came up later. In verse three, Peter therefore went out and the other disciple and we're going to the tomb.

Now, we're on verse three. Let's talk about the three day thing. The three day thing is you find it throughout scripture. If you remember, there was three days with Joseph and the Pharaoh and the baker and the butler.

There was three days of darkness during the plague there in Egypt. And also, of course, the classic of Jonah being in the belly of the whale for three days. And Jesus referred to that and even told what was going to happen.

Matthew chapter 12 verse 40, for as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. He told them. They didn't believe him.

I want you to understand that. They believed him about some things. Evidently, they didn't believe him about this.

Why? Oh, and this is important. They had their own picture in their mind and in their heart about how things were supposed to go. And the death of Jesus was not how they were supposed to go. They had in their minds and in their hearts and units plain from the Bible that they thought Jesus was going to overthrow the Roman Empire, establish a new government and establish freedom in Israel. That's what they thought was going to happen. When Jesus died, that was shattered.

They had no idea that Jesus had a much better plan than they came up with. We all have plans, don't we? You probably, and the Bible says it's a good thing to make plans, to know or to consider or pray about what's going to happen tomorrow or next year or five years from now. Those are good things. But be flexible.

Why? Because unless God came down with his very finger and wrote out those plans, those plans are subject to change. And if you're so locked in as to what you want to do and when you want to do it, you could miss what God wants to do in your life. You could miss what God wants to do in your life because you want what you want.

How often we act like small children in these areas. Something doesn't go the way we want it and doggone it, God, why didn't you do that? Don't you love me, God? I mean, it reminds me of when my children were real small and used to say things like that.

Well, if you really love me, you'd buy me that bucket of ice cream. But we act like that with the Lord, when the Lord changes the plans. The Lord has plans for your life. Do you know what they are? I don't know what they are for me. I mean, I can think, I can plan, I can prayerfully consider, but do I know the exact specifications of the next year or 10 years of my life?

Absolutely not. I don't. And I've learned that when God throws me a curve ball, I need to go with it because he has a better plan. He knows more. Verse four, so they both ran together and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. Now, is it just me or do you notice that in this verse, Peter, John records that he outran Peter. I'm faster.

I got there first. Peter was older. John was younger. And so, and we know that John was the youngest from the order of the Last Supper.

You can go back to John 13, I think I'll talk about that. But John was younger, probably quicker. And he notes that he outran Peter because Peter and John kind of had this thing going on.

We've talked about that before. How do we know that Peter is the one that cut out the ear of the guy in the garden? John tells us. Matthew doesn't tell us. Mark doesn't tell us. They just say the ear got cut off. John says, it is Peter. Peter cut his ear off. And then he records in here that he was first, I was first. But you know what I do like in looking at this verse? They both ran.

I like that. They both ran. They didn't know what was going on. They weren't sure what was going on. But you know what? They weren't like, well, let's mosey on down to the garden tomb in a couple of hours and see what's going on.

We'll go buy Starbucks first and then we'll go check it out. They, you know, it was like, what? And they ran. Ah, loved one.

That's a good model. Why? Because you know, often in life we're going meandering and moseying.

That's a Southern thing. I'm going to mosey on down. That means you're going at some point, but it kind of lacks purpose. I think running is a good thing. We're told to run the race. Are you running or are you walking or are you moseying? So we're supposed to run, run the race. That's what Paul encourages us to, but are you running? I can't imagine at this point that they would be walking and you know what? I can't imagine that some of us would be walking now, but some of us are instead of running. We're running the race, encompassed by a great cloud of witnesses. So let's run. Let's don't be walking. I mean, we only have so much time here. It should be full tilt boogie.

Paul would have used that, but that really wasn't around at the time. A full tilt boogie for God is what we should be involved in. Not, eh, I don't know.

At some point take a little step. No, run for the Lord. You're listening to Pastor David McGee on Cross the Bridge. He'll be right back with more in just a moment, but I want to remind you of the free resources available to you on crossthebridge.com. There's a team of hundreds of people that will pray for somebody to be saved. You have a loved one that needs to know Jesus as Savior. You need people to pray for him.

You need someone to present God's word to him. Every day we're presenting God's word to him here on Cross the Bridge with Pastor David McGee. We can pray for them as well just by simply going to crossthebridge.com and click on the pray for the lost button. All you need to do is put in the first names of the people you love that need to know Jesus as Savior. Click on submit and immediately hundreds of people will begin praying for your lost loved ones.

And what an awesome way to bring your loved ones to Jesus. Here's a word from Associate Pastor DA Brown. Hey, we thank you for listening today. We want to pray specifically for a few cities in our listening audience.

Elko, Fernley, Las Vegas, Lovelock, Reno, Eli, and Round Mountain, Nevada. God, we thank you for these cities and the people listening. Lord, we thank you for the people who live in these cities.

We pray that you would convince and convict them of their need for you and how much you love them and everything that you've done for them to have a relationship with you. God, I pray that you would fill people with faith to say yes, that they would put their hope in you, Jesus. Lord, we pray for the town governments, the town council, the mayor, the police chief, those in the fire department, all those working to lead in these cities. We pray that you would give them wisdom and discernment, that they would be people of your word who would look to your Bible for answers. And God, we pray that you would pour out your Holy Spirit on these cities for your glory. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen.

Thank you, brother. And now, let's get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse. Verse 5. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen claws lying there, yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came following him and went into the tomb, and he saw the linen claws lying there. So Peter stops at the entrance. I mean, John stops at the entrance. Peter goes on in, and he sees the claws lying there.

And you know what? These are the grave claws of Jesus. I understand something. Now, I think we should take care of our bodies, and I try to eat right and exercise and do all these things.

But this is just a tent. If you will, these are grave claws. And at some point, I'm laying them down. At some point, people will be able to view the grave claws and say, well, that's what he used to be in, but he's not in there anymore. That's the same for every one of us.

We need to realize that so that there's a balance to that perception. And so at some point, realize that you're done with your body. It's a tent. And you're going to lay those grave claws around. You're going to be a butterfly, and that's just your cocoon. And at some point, you're going to come out of it. And it's going to be, as Tigger says, ta-ta for now.

You know, I mean, you're going to be out of here. And that's what was going on with these grave claws. And I think John stopped probably out of reference at the entrance. And Peter, isn't he just like Peter? I mean, Peter's like, I'm in there.

I'm going to see what's going on. I mean, I love Peter. And I probably, you know, as much as I talk about Peter and Peter being ready, fire, aim, Peter, you know, at this point, he's a Gonzo guy.

He's that full tilt boogie guy, isn't he? And John stops. I don't think Peter ever stopped. I don't think he ever thought about stopping at the entrance. He just ran straight in. I like that about Peter. He doesn't hesitate. And sometimes that didn't work for him. But again, he was Gonzo for the Lord. He plunges on in. So let's see what happens.

Verse 7. And the handkerchief that had been around his head, not lying with the lending claws, but folded together in a place by itself. Had somebody stolen the body, they wouldn't have gone through this trouble. They wouldn't have unwrapped the body.

They'd have just grabbed the body and been out of there. So it tells us something significant, you know, happened. And I think actually this verse cast a little bit of doubt on the Shroud of Turin.

And I'm not going to make, we don't need to break fellowship of whether you think it's the real deal or not. But evidently, there was a cloth that was wrapped around his head. And if you've ever seen the Shroud of Turin, it contains the imprint supposedly from the head of the person. And part of what wigs me out about that is people worship the shroud, which I'm not sure Jesus would have provided that.

But we can agree to disagree. It's just curious that that verse notes that. Now, verse 8. Then the other disciple who came to the tomb first went in also and he saw and believed. Just in case you missed it the first time, John was actually the first to the tomb.

And now, here is one thing that I do find interesting. I want you to stop and think about this. What's Peter thinking right now? He goes into the tomb.

It's empty. Now, let me remind you. Peter denied Jesus. Not only did he deny him, but Jesus had told him, you're going to deny me.

You remember that conversation? Jesus says, Peter, Satan has desired you to sift you like wheat. Now, how would you like to have Jesus say that to you? He said that to Peter. Now, if I'd have been Peter, I'd have been talking about, well, you told him no, didn't you? I mean, you're not going to. But that's not what happened.

He got sifted. And at that point, he was so arrogant, he said, not so ain't going to happen. Peter made those bold statements. He said, even if these other guys leave you, they're kind of questionable anyway. Not sure why you chose them.

I'm with you. He made those types of sweeping statements. But his pride and his confidence in himself led to a fall. And he denied Jesus. And others knew he denied Jesus. John knew he denied Jesus because John saw part of it, as he tells in the Gospel of John. What was Peter thinking? He obviously was very dejected. I like that in Mark chapter 16, verse 7, the ladies are told, but go tell his disciples and Peter.

I like that. Be sure to tell Peter. Because they knew that Peter, who had been so proud and standing firm, was now just crushed. And he was singled out. The only one noticed, the only one singled out. Go tell the disciples and Peter, be sure to tell Peter.

You know what else I like? John knew Peter had denied the Lord. Who do we see hanging out together? John and Peter. There's some indication in the Scriptures that some of the other ladies went to tell the other disciples, but John and Peter were separate.

Why? Well, may I suggest that the division had been caused by the denial? I mean, it might have been as strong as Peter showing up, and they said, no.

You need to go somewhere else. And at that point, John said, I'll go with you. I'll go with you.

And John and Peter hanging out. The life lesson here, be a friend during a hard time, not just in the good times. You understand every one of us is going to go through hard times?

Every one of us is going to do something really silly or stupid at some point in our lives. And the tendency is, when somebody does something like that, to step back from them and go. Is that what Jesus did?

Our tendency is to look at people and go, oh, look what you did. Is that what Jesus did? You look at the woman at the well. You understand how very little Jesus said about her past? Oh, he mentioned it. What about the forgiven woman in John chapter 8? Certainly, he went through and they explored and analyzed all her mistakes as he said, look what you've done.

No. The only thing he said is that he forgave her. Go and sin no more. What an incredible model.

What an incredible model. So John knew about Peter's weakness. He knew about his failing. And yet, he still hung out with him.

He didn't kick him to the curb. There's words in here in these three verses, verse 6, verse 7, verse 8, talking about the word Saul, verse 5, verse 6, and verse 8, the word Saul. And it's the same word in the English, but there's three different words in the Greek, which I think is interesting. And the first one is to, in verse 5, it says, he saw the linen claws. That's like you see, you look.

That's probably the closest to our word see. He went in and he saw, he looked, he saw. Verse 6 is, when it says he saw, it's meaning that he perceived, he understood what he was seeing.

It's a little deeper than the first. The third one in verse 8 means he knew. And the other disciple came to the tomb, first went in, also he saw and he believed. He knew. John knew something had happened.

He might not have been sure of what. And see, this is the progression that we travel, isn't it? You see, at some point in your life, hopefully you've looked at Jesus and said, well, I see that. I see that Jesus died for me.

But you just saw it in a superficial way. But then one day you understood Jesus died for me. And it was on a deeper level. And then as time went on, you knew Jesus died for you. And it was probably at the point of knowing that you made a decision.

See, because you can't understand and perceive and really know that Jesus died for you without understanding, now there's a decision to be made. Not just a one-time decision. It's supposed to be the start of a beautiful relationship. Just like if you called a girl and said, hey, you know, I want to marry you. And she says yes. Then you're like, okay, see you later.

And then you never called her again or something. See, that's not the relationship that Jesus desires. He desires to have a relationship with you.

Jesus desires a friendship. So you have to make this progression from seeing to understanding to knowing. And when you know, you have to be called into action. Let me ask you a question.

Where are you in these three? Do you understand this morning that Jesus did die on the cross for the sins of the world? It's a great place to start.

That's where all of us started. But do you understand that? Do you understand that outside of the atoning death of Jesus Christ, you have no opportunity for forgiveness? Friend, do you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven?

You can know right now. I want to lead you in a short, simple prayer, simply telling God you're sorry and asking Him to help you to live for Him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me, that I could be forgiven. And I believe you were raised from the dead, that I could have a new life. And I've done wrong things. I have sinned.

And I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you all of my days. In Jesus' name.

Amen. Friend, if you prayed that prayer according to the Bible, you've been forgiven. You've been born again. So congratulations, friend.

You just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you. If you prayed that prayer with David for the first time, we'd love to hear from you. You can visit crossthebridge.com to receive our First Steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ.

Or you can write to Cross the Bridge at P. O. Box 12515, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27117, and share how God is working in your life. You know, the Bible tells us that the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. But it does cost for us to come and bring that message to you and to others in your neighborhood through radio, through the internet, and through the mobile technologies that God has gifted us to be able to use. So if you'd like to support this ministry, please go to crossthebridge.com, click on the donate button, and ask God how much he would have you give, either on a one-time basis or a continuing basis each month to help ensure that the teaching of God's Word continues to go out through Cross the Bridge.

Thank you so much. Well, DA, before we go, what are some ways that we can bless our listeners? Each day you can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David through the Word of God, with his email devotional, life lessons to consider, a daily reading plan, and a thought to meditate on throughout your day from the heart of David McGee. Those are terrific, and it's easy and it's free, so folks, sign up today at crossthebridge.com. Thanks again for listening, and join us next time as David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the Gospel of John.