Bible Text: John 20:1-15 |  

“Why Are You Weeping?” John 20:1-15

Introduction:  (v1) “On the first day of the week…” 8th sign/8th day/Genesis 1 renewed/curse annulled

I.        “While it was still dark”

A.     (v1) “Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark”

1.      She sees the moved stone and assumes the worst.

2.      She is accompanied by other women, at least three.  No one looks inside the tomb.

B.     (v2) “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.”

1.      The infamous “they” and our capacity for paranoia and blame

2.      She things grave robbers; she has forgotten or does not understand the promise of hope

C.     (v3) Mary summons Peter the denier.

1.      He and another disciple race to the tomb.  The other disciple (our author) arrives first.

2.      He looks inside tomb, but remains outside until Peter arrives.  Two independent witnesses.

3.      Neither disciple sees angels.  Neither disciple sees Jesus.  How come?

II.       Genesis 1:3, “And God said, ‘Let there be light.’”

A.     What Peter and The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved saw

1.      (v5) “Linen cloths lying there (inside the tomb)”

2.      (v6) Peter saw linen cloths and Jesus’ head covering folded up and lying separately.

B.     (v9) “As yet they did not understand the Scripture.”  Now they believed.

1.      (v10) “Then the disciples went back to their homes.”

2.      Why not rouse the other disciples?  Why not alert the ladies?

C.     Meanwhile Mary had found her way back to the tomb, where she stood weeping.

1.      (v11) She finally gathers her nerve and looks inside.  She sees two angels!

2.      (v13) They ask, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

3.      (v14) She turns and sees Jesus, though she fails to recognize him.

4.      (v15) He asks her, “Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?”

Conclusion:   John 1:4-5, “In him was life and that life was the light of humanity.  The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”