St. John - session 11
Level 1
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Two men, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, brought the body of Jesus to an empty tomb in a garden. It has been thought to be the tomb that Joseph had built for himself to use at a later date. He was a wealthy man, so the tomb was probably larger than most. I'm sure you remember Nicodemus. The answer that Jesus gave to him is probably one of the most revealing that Jesus said "cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless you are born of . . .the Spirit." (John 3:5)
There are two sites in Jerusalem that might be the original sites of this tomb. I was impressed with "the Garden Tomb" prepared for tourists by the British. It was located in a garden, underneath a cliff in which one can make out a formation in the stone that resembles a skull. That was the name given to the hill on which Jesus was crucified. The word Golgotha means "hill of the skull". The tomb there is a actual one, obviously carved out of the stone by some wealthy man. The tomb has two rooms. One can picture that there were two angels in the first room and an empty slab in the other where the body had lain. Who knows, but it DID make an impression on me.
There are two sites in Jerusalem that might be the original sites of this tomb. I was impressed with "the Garden Tomb" prepared for tourists by the British. It was located in a garden, underneath a cliff in which one can make out a formation in the stone that resembles a skull. That was the name given to the hill on which Jesus was crucified. The word Golgotha means "hill of the skull". The tomb there is a actual one, obviously carved out of the stone by some wealthy man. The tomb has two rooms. One can picture that there were two angels in the first room and an empty slab in the other where the body had lain. Who knows, but it DID make an impression on me.
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. She saw that the stone had been rolled away. (John 20:1)
In John's account she ran to tell Peter. In Matthew's account, "the other Mary" was with her. An angel, with an appearance of lightening said to them "He is not here, He has risen . . ." (Matt 28:6) As they ran to tell the disciples, suddenly Jesus met them. He said, "Go and tell them to meet me in Galilee."
As it turns out, Matthew, Mark and Luke devote only ONE chapter to the "post-Resurrection" life of Jesus. John wrote four verses in his chapter 19 describing the burial, and then wrote TWO chapters about the risen Jesus. So, if you only have time to read one Gospel, please read John. He had more to say because he was actually there! He witnessed the crucifixion and was with the other disciples when they approached the tomb. He referred to himself when he wrote,
As it turns out, Matthew, Mark and Luke devote only ONE chapter to the "post-Resurrection" life of Jesus. John wrote four verses in his chapter 19 describing the burial, and then wrote TWO chapters about the risen Jesus. So, if you only have time to read one Gospel, please read John. He had more to say because he was actually there! He witnessed the crucifixion and was with the other disciples when they approached the tomb. He referred to himself when he wrote,
"but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first." (John 20:41)
It was still hard for the disciples to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. Later Jesus appeared to them when they were altogether and the doors were locked (in fear of reprisal from the Pharisees). Jesus showed them His hands and His side. Thomas was not with them. Later he said he could NOT believe, until he saw this for himself. A week later, Jesus appeared to him. Then Thomas believed. This disciple has been called "doubting Thomas", but perhaps the others were just as much in doubt, until they saw Jesus in person. John continued by adding, "Jesus did many other miracles, which were not recorded in this book." John hoped that all who read this would believe, "that you may have LIFE in His name." (John 20:31)
Level 2
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Please take time to read the "walk to Emmaus". This is found in
Luke, not in any other Gospel (Luke 24:13-32). It is a very
touching story. The Resurrected Jesus walked along the road with two men, starting about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They had NO IDEA who He was. They talked at length and LISTENED! The men invited Jesus into their home when they arrived. He went in with them and sat at the table. This version does not say that He ate anything. It was during the breaking of the bread that they suddenly knew who He was! At that moment, He disappeared from sight. They said to each other,
Luke, not in any other Gospel (Luke 24:13-32). It is a very
touching story. The Resurrected Jesus walked along the road with two men, starting about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They had NO IDEA who He was. They talked at length and LISTENED! The men invited Jesus into their home when they arrived. He went in with them and sat at the table. This version does not say that He ate anything. It was during the breaking of the bread that they suddenly knew who He was! At that moment, He disappeared from sight. They said to each other,
Were not our hearts burning within us as He talked to us and opened the Scriptures to us?
Each time I read this story I remember the words that were written in the journal of John Wesley, back in the 1800s, in England. He wrote "My heart was strangely warmed" during a service at Aldersgate. There were many references to the "fire" of the Holy Spirit. I have not felt the warmth, but I have known that my spirit was lifted and experienced a sense of peace that I attribute to the Holy spirit. One can only imagine the effect of being in the presence of Jesus! In chapter 21 John gave us an account of a miraculous catch of fish. This was a parting GIFT to the disciples, that showed Jesus CARE and LOVE for them. In the next paragraph, Jesus "reinstated" Peter.
Three times Jesus asked Peter, "DO YOU LOVE ME?"
Peter answered each time, "Lord, you KNOW I do!"
"Then FEED MY SHEEP!"
Jesus used the question three times because Peter had denied Him three times. Since Jesus had told the disciples He would make them "fishers of men" we reckon He meant Peter should witness to the Good News, encouraging all he met to Come to Jesus, strengthening and nurturing all who came. It was as if Jesus said "feed them with the BREAD of Life"!
Reading and re-reading the four Gospels gives us a better idea of the character of Jesus: His wisdom, His compassion, His love and His courage to stay in His Father's will! Many want to grow CLOSER TO JESUS, and this is certainly one way.
Three times Jesus asked Peter, "DO YOU LOVE ME?"
Peter answered each time, "Lord, you KNOW I do!"
"Then FEED MY SHEEP!"
Jesus used the question three times because Peter had denied Him three times. Since Jesus had told the disciples He would make them "fishers of men" we reckon He meant Peter should witness to the Good News, encouraging all he met to Come to Jesus, strengthening and nurturing all who came. It was as if Jesus said "feed them with the BREAD of Life"!
Reading and re-reading the four Gospels gives us a better idea of the character of Jesus: His wisdom, His compassion, His love and His courage to stay in His Father's will! Many want to grow CLOSER TO JESUS, and this is certainly one way.
If any man comes to Me, I will in no way cast him out. (John 6:37)