A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. WONDER IN THE GARDEN
A. REPORT
1. DEVASTATION
Mk 16:10 [Mary] went and told those who had been with Him who were mourning and weeping.
2. ASSUMPTION
Jn 20:2 She said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid Him.”
B. RECONSIDERATION
1. INVESTIGATION
Jn 20:3-5 Peter and another disciple left and went toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t enter.
John “saw” Greek blepo = to clearly see a material object
2. OBSERVATION
Jn 20:6-7 Then Simon Peter arrived and entered the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up separately.
Peter “saw” Greek theoreo = to contemplate, observe, scrutinize
C. RESULTS
1. COMPREHENSION
Jn 20:8-9 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also entered, and he saw and believed; (for as yet they didn’t comprehend the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead.)
John “saw” Greek eido = to understand, to perceive real significance of
2. ATTENTION
Lk 24:12b And they went home wondering ‘What has happened?’
Stage is now set for Jesus to appear in His resurrected body to allay all “wonder” or “doubt”
II. WEEPING IN THE GARDEN
A. RETURN
1. INTRODUCTION
Mk 16:11 Now when He arose, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons.
2. CONDITION
Jn 20:11-12 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.
3. QUESTION
Jn 20:13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She replied, “They took away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid Him.”
B. REVEALING
1. INTERVENTION
Jn 20:14-15a Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she didn’t know that it was Jesus. He said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
2. CONDITION
Jn 20:15b Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
3. EXPLANATION
Jn 20:16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned and answered Him, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).
(also Mark 10:51-52)
C. RESPECT
1. ADORATION
Jn 20:17 Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'”
2. PROCLAMATION
Jn 20:18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”, relating the things He had said to her.
After this poignant scene a postscript of Easter morning: Jesus appears to the faithful women
III. WORSHIP IN THE GARDEN
A. REJOICING
1. RECEPTION
Mt 28:9a As they were going to tell the Disciples, behold, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!”
charis = same as Phil 4:4
2. PROSTRATION
Mt 28:9b And they came up and grabbed His feet and worshiped Him.
(also Phil 2:10-11)
B. REMINDER
1. CONSOLATION
Mat 28:10a Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid
2. COMMISSION
Mat 28:10b Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”
Conclusion: English used the word “see” to describe three very distinct Greek words
Blepo = see data
Theoreo = theorize about data
Eido = understand the data, significance
Test is NOT if you memorize it or even understand it. Test is whether YOU have seen the evidence of the resurrection and, like John, believe it.
Many only hear. Some think about it. Very few believe.