John 20:1-10 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

YES! The tomb is empty! Is not this exactly what Jesus told his disciples would happen? But look. They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. Why did Peter and John not know? Why did they go home? Why not go tell the other disciples? Mary Magdalene had come to tell them. She didn’t go home when she saw the empty tomb. Why are these two disciples from Jesus’ inmost circle eagerly searching for the risen Christ?
    Could fear, guilt and shame have been ruling their hearts? Were they still afraid of the authorities? Likely, Peter felt the deep guilt of denying Jesus. Maybe both men were ashamed they had not been more faithful to protect Jesus when he needed them.
    It’s true, isn’t it? Even when we cannot control events, fear, guilt and shame will quickly intrude into our lives. These binding emotions isolate us from people we love. Tragically, these feelings will keep us “at home” to even avoid seeking Jesus. Possibly, John and Peter thought, “He’s alive. But we don’t want to face him.” I don’t know about their hearts. But I do know we all have felt very unworthy of Jesus. We cannot see that “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7c) 
    We thank God, then that Jesus would go to these two and the other nine disciples. He lived into his teaching, “I came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10b) The Living Lord sought his lost disciples. He would redeem their fears into faith, their guilt into forgiveness, their shame into joy. Transformed in Jesus’ resurrection, Peter, John and the others will boldly proclaim to a fearful, guilty world, “He is risen!”
    Do you want to live a confident redeemed life with Jesus? Give to Jesus your fears. Hand over your guilt. Bundle up your shame. Jesus will throw them all away. Eagerly, know Jesus seeks you. In turn, seek Jesus each day, ready to receive his tender care.
    Yes, the tomb is empty. Fill your heart with the Lord’s grace and peace. In Jesus’ blood, you are redeemed.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you have sought after my soul. You have welcomed me into your grace and truth. I love you. You are alive in me, and I rejoice! Amen.

John 19:39-40 Nicodemus, who at first had gone to see Jesus at night, went with Joseph, taking with him about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes.

THIS is the third time John brings Nicodemus into the story. Nicodemus began the discussion that lead to two of Jesus’ often-quoted truths: John 3:3 “no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  and John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”
    I wonder what Nicodemus was thinking as he prepared the rabbi’s body for burial. Jesus’ words had spoken to Nicodemus in a new and powerful way. When Nicodemus asked, “How can this be?” (John 3:9) and Jesus responded with, “I am telling you the truth.” (John 3:11) Nicodemus must have struggled with the truth. He must have examined what he had been taught. And being a Pharisee, he would have studied the law further. In his study, he might have read again of the Passover to be reminded of the sacrificed lamb’s blood on the doorposts. Perhaps he read again of God’s instructions to build a tabernacle and then a temple lighted with lampstands to always light the night. Did he understand anew God’s sacrificial laws, requiring the first-born bulls and lambs to be a perfect offering to the Lord? Maybe he read the prophets, and the Spirit birthed his mind anew to understand they had spoken of Jesus.
    Did he put it all together? If he did, Nicodemus found Jesus. He found the Son of God. The questioning Pharisee would have come to faith, to believe in his heart how true and right Jesus’ teachings are.
    So, I wonder what he thought as he prepared his Messiah’s body for burial. Did he anticipate resurrection? Was he wondering about being born again? Was he disappointed and doubting the truth now? Had he lost hope?
    Or, was there, somewhere in his mind, in his heart and in his soul an understanding that this was not the end? Did a light flicker in the darkness? Did the power of his encounter with Jesus give him pause to say, “Let’s see what God will now do”?
    It’s true, isn’t it, that Jesus has more to offer than we can see. The light of his life goes beyond the broken circumstances of life. Jesus is greater than death. Jesus points us to eternal life.
    Nicodemus is about to find out. 
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray for understanding and knowledge of your Word. I pray I will keep my eyes on your resurrection. In all things I do, Lord, may I know you are alive. Amen.
 

 

John 19:30 Jesus drank the wine and said, “It is finished!”

THERE it is! The plan is done. The work complete. Now the Son of God can go home. Obedient in all things to the Father, the Son will now reside on his throne in eternity’s glory. It is finished.
    Jesus’ life on earth was to complete the work the Father’s will required at this point in history. Jesus has ministered God’s grace to a world painfully imprisoned with evil. The Servant king has endured human suffering, even to be crucified. Now the work, the suffering is finished. The Lord’s compassion, joy, love and peace begins to flow from the cross to the world and into our hearts. Glory be to God!
    Yes, we praise God that Jesus was “born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and buried. On the third day he rose again and sits at God’s right hand.” (from the Apostles Creed). Oh, the power of those five phrases! God’s Son became human flesh. That alone is too difficult to fully comprehend. But the suffering under Pilate is even more difficult to understand. Can we comprehend the Holy One lived a life of labor, discomfort, poverty, and grief? Do we realize he suffered the insults of teachers of the law? His own people denied him as he proclaimed his love through healings, resurrections and mass food distributions! Jesus suffered the doubts, pride and betrayal of his closest disciples. He suffered the lash. And he suffered the cross and the grave.
    That was the plan. Now the plan of redemption was finished. The blood has been shed. The Passover Lamb of God has been sacrificed to save the children of Abraham. Yes, this is for you and all who have and will confess Christ from that day on. Oh, sin’s curse is finished. The sentence of death is done.
    And now the new testament of grace and forgiveness has begun! Salvation flows from the cross. Praise the Lord!
 
Prayer: Lord God, keep our minds on the great truth that death is done, and life is in your hands. Amen.

John 19:24-26 The soldiers said to one another, “Let's not tear it; let's throw dice to see who will get it.” 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, “He is your son.”
 
THE soldiers who hung Jesus on the cross now await his death. It’s not enough to be beaten to the bone, a mass of blood, torn flesh and searing pain. Our Lord hangs naked, the object of cursing and shame. His crucifiers do not care. In fact, they now see how they can profit from this dying man. His robe is the prize.
    Is that our view of God? Are there are too many days we’d rather look to God to say, “What have you done for me lately?” When we should ask, “What can I do for the One who bore my shame?” Easily we look from the cross to look to our own pleasures. What do must we do to only treasure our Savior?
    As we have seen throughout our lessons from John, we can and must look to live as our Savior lived. See what he does here, even as he died in excruciating pain and shame: So he said to his mother, “He is your son.” Oh, he’s dying. Pain we can’t imagine, a thirst beyond understanding grips his body. How is he even alive? Yet, his compassionate love comes down to the one who bore his human body.
    Do you remember the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary? Luke 1:30 “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Favor is God’s love and mercy. Favor is blessing and salvation. Now Jesus offered one more favor to Mary. Declaring to Mary “He is your son.” Jesus assures Mary that John will care for her.
    Why is this important? Hebrew widows were without means. Hebrew law said it was the oldest son’s responsibility to care for his widowed mother. Jesus is Mary’s oldest son, isn’t he? Where are Jesus’ brothers? Only his cousin John stands close to the cross and watches his Messiah die. Available to his Lord, John receives one last command from Jesus the Hebrew man. “Take care of my mother.”
    See the compassionate, crucified one. See how Jesus cares for you and me. His love comes from the cross, through all obstacles. Through the soldiers’ selfishness, his pain, suffering, and even unto death, Jesus’ love pours out to his mother.
    Rejoice his love did not stop there. Even more fully, Jesus’ love is with you now. The crucified, compassionate Savior has sent his Spirit to comfort and care for you. John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  
    When we become too focused on temporary things, let’s stop to remember Jesus’ compassionate example. He has given himself to you. What will you give him in return?
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your example of love, mercy and compassion. I pray we look to love our neighbors as you have loved us. Amen.
 

John 19:19-20 Pilate wrote a notice and had it put on the cross. “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” is what he wrote. 20 Many people read it, because the place where Jesus was crucified was not far from the city. The notice was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek.


GOD certainly uses people in surprising ways, doesn’t he? The Bible tells us that regardless if one is a pagan or Jew, atheist or true believer, God can use a person’s character and traits to declare his name to the world.
       Here, the pagan Pilate ordered a sign written proclaiming Jesus as “King of the Jews”. Then see that “many people read it”. These were people who had traveled to Jerusalem from nearby towns and foreign countries. They were Jews who lived in Judea and in foreign countries. Many were Gentiles (also called Greeks), merchants, craftsmen, government employees and all types of social classes. For some, no doubt, it was their first notice of Jesus. Curiously, they wondered about the sign to ask, “Why would anyone call this cursed criminal on a cross ‘King of the Jews’?” Why, indeed. How was God using Pilate?
       I wonder what some of these same people thought weeks or years later when the apostles proclaimed: Acts 2:36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” And Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
       Do you think some who heard the gospel thought back to that day when the “king of the Jews” was on the cross? Perhaps the memory of the suffering “King of the Jews” on a cross awakened them to know that the apostles’ words were true. The gospel was real. God’s love was truly for their souls.
       God makes himself known in unexpected ways. He even goes to a criminal’s death on a cross. On that day, the Father planted the seeds of his salvation into the hearts and minds of many who passed by or stood at the foot of the cross. Pilate was a weak, ineffective ruler. He gave in to the crowd and crucified an innocent man. Even so, Pilate acted under God’s’ sovereign purpose. The Lord God gave to Pilate words to introduce the King of Kings to the world.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the ways you choose us to make you known to those who travel into our lives. Amen.

John 19:17 He went out, carrying his cross.
 
IS it not enough that his back is a mass of blood and broken skin, that blood streams off his forehead from the excruciating crown of thorns, that his wrists and arms are numb from the ropes that tied him to the lashing pole? Is he not broken and weakened enough? Now he must carry his own cross.
    Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Messiah, bears his cross to the place where he will be crucified. He bears his cross to demonstrate the truth of his own words, Mark 8:34 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
    Yes, these words are figurative, symbolic of perseverance through trial and difficulties that come against many of us from the world as we follow Christ. But our Lord sets for us a real cross-carrying example. He shows us in the reality of his walk to the cross, that bearing a cross is impossible without help.
    See how Simon of Cyrene is forced to help Jesus when Jesus can bear the wooden beam no longer. In a like manner, we must face our cross and bear it forward. And as we do, our Lord will step in to say, “Here, I know this is too heavy for you alone. Let me help you.”
    When we face a difficulty in our lives, a cross to bear, we know we can trust our resurrected Lord for his help. He has borne his cross for you and for me. He knows you cannot bear it alone.
    Living into Jesus’ resurrection is turning to Jesus and calling to him for help. He will come alongside you to strengthen you. You don’t have to go to Golgotha. Jesus already did.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for bearing your cross, that I would be free of sin’s burden’s forever. Strengthen me to bear the crosses you give to me, so I will help others know you. Amen.

John 11:37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
 
DO you remember John 9? Jesus healed a blind man. Many people and the ruling Jews wondered how the man was healed. The Jews questioned if he had been born blind. Many loud voices negated the miracle and Jesus. In addition, this healing occurred on a Sabbath. The ruling Jews charged Jesus with blasphemy against God’s law! It was impossible for Jesus to be from God, doing God’s work if he healed on the Sabbath!
    Their unbelieving hearts have not changed in the weeks since that confrontation. Their hard hearts now mock, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Their unbelief continues to discredit Jesus. Even more, they ridicule Martha’s and Mary’s confession, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:32b) Unbelief’s dark cloak blinds many from knowing God’s blessings.
    Unbelief is grief, isn’t it? See Cain’s deep grief in Genesis 4:5 but on Cain and his offering God did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
    The Jews mocked Jesus; Cain mocked God. Cain’s unbelief led to his grievous life. Genesis 4:13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
    From Cain’s unbelief came the generations who eventually caused God to grieve his creation. Genesis 6:6 The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. In his grief, God destroyed the world with the flood to begin again through Noah. 
    The Jews’ remarks illustrate the sin that crouches at the door of our hearts, ready to assault our souls in a moment. Be on your guard. The Jews needed to believe in Jesus. They needed to call on the Lord to pray, “Help my unbelief.” How much more pleasant God’s world would be if God’s creation would pray such words and be humble to receive as the Lord gives.
    Psalms 147:1 Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!...3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. 6 The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp. 8 He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. 
    Praise God. Be satisfied in him.
 
Prayer: Lord, I pray for a growing faith to keep sin from crouching at my door. Amen.

John 11:35-36 Jesus wept. 36 “See how much he loved him!” the people said.
 
HERE again, we discover our Lord’s comfort. Can you imagine the Lord of Life standing in front of a grave? Yes, I’m sure he had done this before. Other friends had died. Apparently, his earthly father Joseph was dead when Jesus’ ministry began. In his humanity, the God of heaven would have known human grief.
    But why would the Lord of Life weep? After all, he knows that in a few minutes this grave will open, and his friend will walk out. Why the deep sorrow?
    To know the “why’s” of God, it is essential we focus on who God is. We know God is love. Yes, see how Jesus loved Lazarus. Even more, see how God loves humanity. Because God so loved the world (John 3:16a) we can surely know Jesus wept not only for Lazarus’ death, but he mourned for all humanity.
    Oh, surely our loving Lord wept when evil entered the Garden of Eden! He wept because so very, very much had been lost at the moment death had broken into paradise. After all, Jesus had spoken, and a formless void became a sparkling universe of exact proportion and extraordinary perfection. Death was not part of the good creation. Jesus wept over death’s curse that separated mankind for our Creator.
    How would our God deal with the death of peace, the death of perfection, the death of humanity’s personal relationship with him?
    God who is love would fulfill his loving plan to destroy death. Since eternity before time, the Triune God knew he would destroy death through the death of the Son. Mankind would be rescued from death’s curse because Jesus’ sacrifice would redeem the curse. Once again, mankind would have a way to know the life-giving wonder of a blessed relationship with our Holy God.
    Can you see this love? Can you feel Jesus’ passion in your life? This is why the cross is called “the Passion of Christ”. Love moved Jesus to weep for a man. Love moved Jesus to weep for mankind. Love moved Jesus to die, so you may live. Indeed, God is love.
    Praise Jesus he wept over death. Praise Jesus he has come to provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3-4)
 
Prayer: Thank you for your tears, Jesus. I grieve my sin. I rejoice in my salvation. You have given me life. Amen.

John 11:30-34 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
 
WE continue to learn from Mary. In her grief she goes to receive Jesus and seek his solace. Humbly, she falls at his feet to lament and confess, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Once at his feet to learn, Mary is now at Jesus’ feet desiring the Lord’s comfort. This is faith as Paul expressed in 2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. It is good to seek, receive and praise God for his comfort.
    Jesus then acts into his purpose to raise Lazarus. Remember, he had said to his disciples: John 11:15 “And for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe.” Jesus is preparing them for ministry without him. The Twelve are watching Jesus’ compassion and power at work. When the disciples see the sisters’ and mourners’ grief, perhaps they, too, are wondering of Jesus, “Why did you wait, Lord?”
    Their answer will come as they again learn the answer to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15) As they witness Jesus ignite God’s life power into his world, the disciples will more faithfully confess, “My Lord and my God.” (Matthew 16:16)
     Through Lazarus’ resurrection, they will know more personally that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. They will see he is the Good Shepherd, who leads his people into the green pastures of true faith. The light of the world will invade death’s darkness. Living water will flow into Bethany to prepare for the day it will soon disperse throughout the earth. Jesus will demonstrate God’s will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
    Through the Scriptures, the Lord has shown us who he is. Will you get up and go to him, humble to confess, “My Lord and my God.”
 
Prayer: Lord God, I see your mercy, comfort and peace. I see your resurrection power. I believe your power is alive in me. May I be comforting, merciful and loving to people who need to know you. Amen. 

John 11:28 And after Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him.
 
MARY had stayed in the house when Jesus arrived in Bethany. She had been the one, when Jesus first came to their house, to sit at his feet, humble and eager to learn. (Luke 10:39) But the Teacher, who also healed the sick, blind and lame, had not come in time to save Lazarus. How would Mary relate to Jesus? Would her disappointment keep her away? Or would her love for Jesus draw her near to him?
    We can thank God Mary’s love overruled her distress. It is a blessed assurance to know the Lord “is asking for you.” Quickly, Mary went to Jesus. She wanted to ask him, “Where were you? She also needed his comfort and longed for his touch. Mary could not resist his love. She needed to be in his presence. Where else would we want to be when we weep? Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
    See in these two sisters how we are to respond to God’s love in our distress. In the sisters’ perspective, Jesus was late. But Martha stepped out of her house to meet Jesus outside the village. In her grief, she still confessed her faith in his resurrection power. Hope rose in her heart as she heard Jesus’ promise, “Your brother will rise again.” Her faith strengthened as Jesus affirmed: John 11:25 "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”
    With hope and faith in her heart, Martha went to Mary. She wanted Mary to know this hope and faith, too. Martha, once too busy to go to Jesus, now tells Mary to go, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”  Together they will witness a most unexpected, wondrous miracle.
    How is your hope? Is your heart full of faith in Jesus’ resurrection? Do you believe? Or do life’s disappointments keep you “at home”, away from the Teacher? If so, I urge you to get up and go to Jesus. You can do so when you get up in the morning to read the Bible, to know what God says, to know what God has done and to know his promises for you.
    Continue to go to him in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to God’s miracles around you. Ask for help to see Jesus’ resurrection power. Desire a true hope that his resurrection is for you and your loved ones. Seek a faith that will urge you to get up more eagerly each day to meet with your Lord. Martha and Mary each allowed busyness and grief to keep them from their Lord. Then in faith, they moved through those barriers to believe and trust Jesus.      
    Be as Martha. Go to Jesus. Invite those who “sit at home” to know, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.” Be as Mary. Get up and go to Jesus when he calls. He’s calling your right now. Are you listening? Are you believing? Are you going?
 
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your resurrection power. I pray I live full of hope and faith, that I am eager to invite people to get up and go to you. Amen.