For the disciples it was no ordinary day. Just two days earlier Jesus had been crucified. His body had been taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. It was then the Sabbath, which was a day of rest so the earliest things could happen was on Sunday Morning, for us Easter Sunday. 

Today we are conscious of the death of the Queen Mother and for the Royal Family today would have had a different feel. Just as the Queen Mother’s death was not purely a private affair so too with Jesus. Not only were his family affected but all of his followers, many of whom had known Jesus for three years and had grown to love Jesus.

Mary – John 20

She with other ladies had gone to the tomb. They were staggered to discover it empty. Angels were there, saying Jesus was alive but it was all too unbelievable. 

Mary who had been wonderfully set free from things that had bound her in her life, Jesus had cast them out and she was a changed woman. One who clearly was devoted to Jesus but as with many others so lost. 

Jesus appears to Mary and she thinks he is the gardener, possibly he looked different. 

Jesus asked her two questions v15. These are the first words that are recorded in John spoken by Jesus after he had been raised from the dead. 

Q1     Why are you crying? 

Q2     Who are you looking for?

Mary does not answer directly she is preoccupied in looking for the body of Jesus. The probable answer. I am crying because Jesus is dead and because his body has gone.

So in reality she was looking for a dead Jesus.

A dead Jesus is the reality of Good Friday but not of Easter Sunday.

Jesus called Mary by her name and that changed everything.

I thought……!

The 10 Disciples

They were not looking for Jesus, they were hiding from the authorities. If Jesus could be put to death what would they do to them ? 

They were afraid 

Jesus came among them – no door is any longer a problem. Everywhere is accessible to Jesus – You can’t shut him out of a place. 

Clever animals – open doors with their paws.
Clever people – Houdini – managed to escape from all sorts of difficult scenarios
Clever technology – that can unlock door with the right technology. Mission Impossible type stuff.

Jesus has a different body he is resurrected, it is not subject to our physical limitations, plus He is not only fully human but fully God with all of those resources available to him. He in his earthly life chose not to draw upon those resources but once again they are at his disposal.

Jesus appears to the 10, he shows them his wounds to convince them of his reality and he brings to them peace and forgiveness and a job to do for this peace and forgiveness are gifts that are to be offered to all.

Spike Milligan illustration. 

Thomas and the 10

Jesus is concerned about the individual – Thomas has missed out. He is the pragmatist let me see him, let me touch Him then I will believe. 

So once gain Jesus comes to them and gives Thomas that opportunity. He is moved to faith “My Lord and My God”. v20

You and Me

John wrote his book of good news in order that we who can’t see Jesus physically might come to that place of believing and discovering Jesus as our Lord. So its about a faith journey. Jesus is alive. The disciples saw Jesus and were transformed by that experience. They wrote what they saw and about what happened. They were inspired by the Holy Spirit in their writings. The Bible is not only human words but Divine. Today two people Luke & Michala are getting baptized to publicly offer their lives to Christ to dedicate their lives to Jesus and in doing so they experience a fresh encounter with Him. Three others Chris & Rachel and Alma are joining our Church today. For all have discovered the reality of the living Jesus.

For Mary and the disciples that first Easter Sunday was the first day of the rest of their lives. For us that is also true. Will you have Jesus as your God, as your Lord, the one you live for, the one you love? He died for you and as the living Lord he longs for you to receive his love, his peace, his forgiveness.

If you have never asked Jesus into your life why not do it today. For others you may want to explore the Christian Faith. We have The Y course or Alpha that give opportunity for that as well. There are others here who would love to share with you about Jesus. For those who have trusted in Jesus, reaffirm his Lordship in your life. Know he goes before us. He has a mission for us and we have good news to live and tell about.