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Sermon
of 12-01-01
Running Through the Cemetery
by Dr. David A. Farmer, pastor
Scripture John 20:1-18;
"The first [day] of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the
sepulchre. V:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
V:3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the
sepulchre. V:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.V:5 And he stooping down, [and looking in], saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
V:6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
V:7 and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
V:8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
V:9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
V:10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. V:11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, [and looked] into the sepulchre,
V:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
V:13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. V:14
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
V:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. V:16
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.
V:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God.
V:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and [that] he had spoken these things unto her. know not where they have laid him.
Year's back I remember when I worked in the oil field. I had just hired a man that was totally new to any kind of oil field work. He really knew nothing. His name was Steve. I tried to explain that there were a lot of things he needed to learn and it would take time. But I would start him off with the number 1 thing he had to know. And that was if I ever yelled run, he was not to ask why! He was just to run and not look back until he was a mile or so from location.
Now friends, this seldom ever happens but wouldn't you know it, that night something went wrong. All of a sudden yellow lights started flashing and horns started blowing. Then men started running out of the doghouses. That is a living quarters in the oil field. I didn't know what was happening but I remember turning and yelling to all my men - run!
Since everyone only ran to the edge of the location had stopped, so did we. We all turned around to see what was happening. Friends, this is really a NO-NO!!
What had happened was deadly gas had escaped from the oil well and it set off the alarms. After a few minutes I started counting my men to see if all was there. I couldn't find Steve. No one knew where he was. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw something in the darkness of the night way down the road. It was the reflection off of a silver hardhat. Steve's hardhat, and he's still running. He also had taken my advice and stayed away. Because it was 20 or 30 minutes later before Steve came return.
Did you notice how many times someone went running in those texts? But why are they running? And friends, of all places, why a cemetery! What is it about this story that sends everyone running?
Well, from what I see in these text is that they where running because they are filled with joy. They had just received the Good News that Jesus is risen. He's not in the grave. They probably ran with their feet hardly ever touching the ground.
I would like for us to look at some of the people that went running that resurrection morning. Then I would like to see if we would have done the same if we had been there.
One of the men that went running was John. Now in verse 2 it doesn't say his name, but calls him "The other disciple whom Jesus loved." When you compare other verses find in the Bible you know this was John. Here are some verses for proof to prove this John. Look them up later. John 13:23; 19:26; 21:7,20,24.
But he's called "The other disciple whom Jesus
loved." Wouldn't you love to have that sort of nick-name? We know that John was very close to Jesus. He along with Peter and James made up a close circle around Jesus. It was John we find laying his head on the chest of Jesus at the "Last Supper" in John 13:23. It was John we find at the Cross holding Mary up, the Mother of Jesus. It was John in that Jesus asked to take care of His mother and to become her son. (John 19:27)
And here in chapter 20 we find John in a foot race with Peter to the tomb and beats Peter there. When they both reached the tomb John doesn't go in yet. He just looked inside and saw the linen neatly folded. Then Peter came rushing up and went inside. In verse 8 we find John entering. And the verse simple says: "He saw and believed."
John didn't need a lot of proof that Christ was alive. He was not like doubting Thomas. How would like to have a nick-name like that? The Bible says John simply
"saw and
believed!" There were no Angels telling
him that Christ was Risen.
Are there any "Beloved Disciples" here this morning? Any Johns that simply have faith and believe Christ is alive? A person with John's personality doesn't have to have a lot of proof to believe in Jesus? In fact, a John type person cannot even understand why anyone ever even struggles with the question if Jesus is alive or not. Are you here John?
There was another person there that morning, but his faith was not as strong as John's. You see, Peter also came running with John and went right into the tomb. He saw the same linen that John seen, but Luke 24:12 tells us Peter leaves wondering what has happened.
He had questions, doubts, and concerns. He saw the same evidence as John. And this morning, there may be some Simon Peter's here. Not everyone can just see something and believe like John did. Some people have questions, doubts and concerns like Peter. They want to have strong faith. But it doesn't come easy for them.
If that is you then take cheer because Peters story proves there is hope.
Not only did Peter not understand the Resurrection, he also remember that he had denied knowing Jesus 3 times. When Jesus died, something in Peter died, his faith, and his hope. He probably felt empty like the tomb he was looking into. Simon Peter are you here this morning? Have you come running to Church today hoping but at times doubtful? Do you find it a struggle believing that Jesus died for you? That He has forgiven you of all your sins? Then I would like to encourage you, listen to Mark 16:7;
"But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."
Here we find that Jesus wanted Peter to know that he was not only forgiven, but also that he was not forgotten. Simon Peter probably felt that if anyone should be dropped off God's invitation list, it was he. And this morning there maybe someone in this room that feels the same way. Jesus loves and forgives everyone, especially those who believe that he or she couldn't be loved and forgiven.
If you are you here Peter, then believe Jesus loves you and has already forgiving you of your sins.
The final face that ran that morning is faithful Mary Magdalene. Let me share with you a little bit about Mary.
She was the sister to Martha and Lazarus. She had been a prostitute. She was the one that Jesus cast out 7 demons out of. Luke 8:1-3 says she often could be found with Jesus and the 12 Disciples as they ministered to others. John 11:2 tells us that she used costly perfume to anoint Jesus. She was the one that washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. She was the first one to come to the tomb Sunday morning after Christ had been Crucified. She was the first one that Jesus appears to.
She came there grieving. She didn't have the guilt or doubt like Peter. But the only Person that had ever had faith in her was now dead. She was hurting badly inside. When Mary came to the tomb early that Sunday morning is was still dark. Friends, not only was it dark on the outside, but it was dark on Mary's inside. Her world had just come to an end. She was so confused that when Jesus spoke to her, she thought He was the gardener.
Are there any Mary's here this morning? Have you lost someone you loved and now you grieve for them?
To the Mary's here this morning, I want you to know Jesus is closer than you think. You may not be able to recognize Him like Mary didn't. But the Bible says that when He calls His sheep by name they know Him and come running. (John 10:27)
All of us love to be called by our name. I'll never forget the time I was coming home from a long trip. This was the days of stand by seating on planes. When everyone had boarded that had tickets, they started calling the stand-by names. One by one they called, then all of a sudden, the sweetest sound I ever heard was announced over the loud speaker. "David Farmer". That meant I could board. By the way, I was the last name called. Isn't it nice when you hear someone call you by name.
One day, all the John's, Peter's, and Mary's will be called by name to enter their home in Heaven. That day I know is coming soon. Will you be found waiting, watching, and ready? I hope so, I pray so.
To end let me read one more verse - Rev. 22:12; "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
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