Rev. David Holwick N EASTER SUNDAY
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
April 16, 1995
John 20:11-18
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I. A choice of direction.
A. We must look to God, not at disappointments.
B. We need to develop in our relationship with Jesus.
1) We must cut with the past, move on.
2) Get involved in spreading the message.
C. We can learn from Mary Magdalene.
1) She was healed by Jesus.
2) She loved Jesus.
3) She met the risen Jesus.
4) She was sent by Jesus.
II. Mary of Magdala, a remarkable woman.
A. A reformed prostitute?
1) Ancient interpretation, widely accepted.
2) Had seven demons cast out. Luke 8:2
a) Usually a sign of illness, not immorality.
b) Mary associated with socially important women
like Joanna, wife of gov't official. Luke 8:3
c) She was probably an invalid, healed.
3) The anointing of Jesus' feet by sinful woman. Luke 7:37
a) Unusual to be anonymous, if was famous Mary.
b) Mary of Bethany does the same thing later. John 12:3
c) Confusion of Marys and episodes of anointing.
B. A follower of Jesus.
1) Prominent in that Mary Magdalene is usually mentioned first.
a) Helped to support Jesus out of her means.
b) Stuck to Jesus till the bitter end:
1> Helped to support Jesus. Luke 8:3
2> Stood by the cross. John 19:25
3> Watched the tomb, brought spices. John 20:1
2) Love brought her to the tomb.
a) Her faith and hope were gone.
b) She wanted to do something, anything, for Jesus.
c) Tomb is open, others run to town.
d) Mary remains, grief-stricken.
III. Meeting the Risen Savior.
A. Where have they taken him?
1) Despite Jesus' prediction, she is not expecting resurrection.
a) She has no hope, only grief.
b) All she knows is that body is missing, perhaps stolen.
2) She loves him so much, she offers to carry him back. 20:15
a) Her love offers to do the impossible, as love always does.
B. Why Jesus not recognized?
1) Jesus is transformed.
a) There is continuity, but also transformation.
b) Two disciples near Emmaus also didn't recognize him.
2) Couldn't see him because of tears. 20:13,15
a) Blurred her vision.
b) Sorrow is ultimately selfish.
1> It is natural to grieve, but can blind us to reality.
A> It does nothing for loved one who is dead.
B> Sorrow can take our eyes off God.
2> We feel mostly our own pain and loss.
3) She recognizes him as he calls her name. 20:16
a) Jesus is shepherd who knows his sheep. 10:3
IV. Don't cling. 20:17
A. Not "touch," because Thomas was invited to touch. 20:27
1) Present imperative - let go of me, stop holding on.
2) She was locked on his feet, not letting him move.
B. The old relationship is invalid, we must go on to new ground.
1) Note she calls him "Rabboni" (teacher, master).
2) Probably thinks his earthly ministry will continue.
Evangelist D. L. Moody once told a story about two men
who, under the influence of liquor, found their way
to the dock where their boat was tied.
The two men wanted to return home, so they got in the boat
and began to row.
Though they rowed hard all night, they did not reach the
other side of the bay.
When the gray dawn of the morning broke, they were in
exactly the same spot from which they started.
They had neglected to loosen the mooring-line and raise
the anchor!
Mr. Moody used this story as an example of the way in
which many people are tied to this world.
They want to go to heaven, but won't cast off what
holds them back.
"Cut the cord! Cut the cord!" Moody would roar.
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C. There is a time to move on.
1) Mary can't let go of her past relationship with Jesus.
2) Many modern people also cling to past patterns.
a) Our image of God doesn't change from when we were youth.
1> A few cliches are cherished, but have little power.
2> If we don't grow, God cannot use us.
b) What new thing have you learned about God this year?
1> Where are you growing?
2> Is God closer, or the same?
D. Things are different now.
1) Mary was not allowed to wallow in the past.
2) Jesus had a new mission for her - go, tell the others. 20:17
a) She announces she has seen the "LORD." 20:18
b) Before we tell others of our faith, we have to
really believe.
c) Before we tell others, we want our lives to backup
what we are saying.
V. Your father and mine.
A. Emphasis on separateness of relationship?
1) A distinction always made between Jesus and his followers.
2) He will always be God, we won't.
B. Better - emphasis on elevating of relationship. Ruth 1:16
1) Jesus is not making a distinction, but an identification.
a) We are now Jesus' brothers.
b) We are united to Father just as he is.
2) Most important point of passage.
a) We can have a new relationship with God.
b) Christianity is not knowing ABOUT Jesus, but knowing him.
C. Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed.
1) Mary had advantage of actually seeing Risen Jesus.
a) Have you ever yearned for such an experience?
b) It is possible to believe without touching.
2) It is enough to know Jesus is there.
Steven Moseley tells about Anna Pavlova, a Russian ballet
dancer who was a superstar of the early 1900s.
Ms. Pavlova has been acclaimed as the greatest ballerina of
all time.
Her most memorable performance, however, took place after
her death.
Anna was to play the role she made famous, the Dying Swan,
at the Apollo Theatre in London.
Tragically, she came down with pneumonia and died two days
before the event.
Still, on the appointed night, a crowd of her fans packed
the Apollo Theatre.
The orchestra began playing, the curtain rose, and a spotlight
flashed through the dark.
The entire audience rose to its feet.
They all stood gazing at a pool of light wandering around
the stage, accompanied by the orchestral theme.
As the light danced and the orchestra played, they remembered
Anna Pavlova.
In their hearts they could see her on stage, dressed in white
with flashing dark eyes.
And when the music stopped at last, they gave the vanished Anna
a thunderous ovation that echoed on and on in the night.
An empty stage with only a spotlight, but in their hearts she
was alive.
We cannot see Jesus, but we can know he is alive.
We can grow beyond our past, and know him better.
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