The Love of God: I Have Seen the Lord
John 20 is resurrection.
Death is defeated.
The tomb is empty.
And the love of God has conquered.
Mary finds the empty tomb
Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb early in the morning.
The stone is rolled away.
The tomb is empty.
She runs to tell Peter and John.
The love of God does not leave Jesus in the grave.
They did not yet understand
Peter and John run to the tomb.
They see the linen cloths lying there.
But the text says:
"They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead."
Resurrection was not their expectation.
But it was God's plan.
The love of God accomplishes what we cannot imagine.
Jesus appears to Mary
Mary remains at the tomb weeping.
Jesus appears but she thinks He is the gardener.
Then He speaks her name:
"Mary."
She recognizes Him and says:
"Rabboni!"
The love of God speaks our name and makes Himself known.
Peace be with you
That evening, Jesus appears to the disciples.
He says:
"Peace be with you!"
Then He shows them His hands and side.
The disciples are overjoyed.
The love of God brings peace through the resurrection.
Receive the Holy Spirit
Jesus breathes on them and says:
"Receive the Holy Spirit."
The promised Helper has come.
The same breath that created man now gives new life.
The love of God breathes spiritual life into His people.
Blessed are those who have not seen
Thomas was not there.
He refuses to believe without seeing.
A week later, Jesus appears again.
He invites Thomas to touch His hands and side.
Thomas confesses:
"My Lord and my God!"
Jesus responds:
"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
The love of God blesses faith that trusts without sight.
These are written that you may believe
John concludes:
"These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
This is the purpose of the Gospel.
Not just information.
Transformation.
Life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Final exhortation
The love of God in John 20 is this:
Christ is risen.
Death is defeated.
The tomb is empty.
And through faith in Him, we have life.
Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Trust Him even when you have not seen.
Because the love of God raises the dead and gives life to all who believe.
Closing prayer
Father, thank You for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thank You that death could not hold Him and that through Him we have life. Strengthen our faith to believe even when we have not seen. In Jesus' name, amen.