“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN”

St. John 20:1-10

Christ’s Triumphant Victory Over Death

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the prominent theme in this section of the Apostle John’s presentation, for without the resurrection of Christ, the grand

Gospel message would indeed be incomplete (I Corinthians 15:1-4).  In chapter 20 of John’s presentation, he records the various appearances of the Saviour after He was raised from the dead; thus, these appearances confirmed that Christ indeed had emerged from the grave in triumphant glory!

This same theme of Christ’s triumphant victory over sin, death, and the grave dominated the powerful preaching of the Apostles in the book of Acts (Acts 2:24-36; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:34).  As I contemplated while reading this chapter, one serious prevailing thought brought gratitude to my heart:  “I am grateful that all members of the blessed Trinity were engaged in the resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:4; St. John 10:17-18; Romans 8:11).  It is awfully instructive that chapter 20:1 begins with the reference to “the first day of the week”.  Christ’s resurrection on the “first day of the week” marks a new beginning, for Christ had finished His work of redemption, in relation to the Old Testament, as the Sabbath stood as a reminder of God’s consummate work in the old creation (Genesis 2:3).

In verse 1, the supreme devotion of Mary Magdalene is brought to bear, for she never forgot the fact that Christ had delivered her from the oppression of being in bondage to Satan.  She was not only seen at the cross, but the first at His grave.  Her deep and abiding love is displayed,  for she never forgot that Christ expelled seven demons from her (St. Luke 8:2).  There is an amazing phenomenon that takes place in verse 1:  “the stone had been taken from the sepulcher.”  According to Matthew 28:2, the stone had been removed by an angel; thus, this action proved that God had intervened.

Having perceived that the stone had been removed, Mary Magdalene tells Peter and John (v. 2).  In her excitement, she tells others about her discovery!  Now, anxious and excited, both disciples went to the sepulcher, with John outrunning Peter (vs. 3-4).  In verse 5, we see the anxious expectation of the Apostle John; however, as he inspects, he doesn’t immediately go into the sepulcher.  On the other hand, as the curious Peter arrives, he goes into the sepulcher (v. 6).  In verses 6 and 7, the Apostle John supplies us with ample and sufficient evidence that Christ was victorious over the grave, having left His grave clothes in the sepulcher!  With all of the ample evidence at hand, John could only conclude that Christ had risen from the dead (v. 8).

Having heard Christ speak of His resurrection for three years, these disciples did not comprehend the message (v. 9).  Having received an eyewitness account of the resurrection, the disciples went to their homes.  These disciples went to their physical or earthly homes after receiving the grand message of Christ’s resurrection.  But, before we go to our heavenly home, we need to spread the message that “Christ lives today.”  And should someone ask us how we know He lives, we can confidently say – “He lives within my heart.”  Yes, He lives, oh yes, He lives!