The Message of an Empty Tomb John 20:1-9 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, Intro: and to the other disciple, whom loved, and A) Last week we looked at Jesus’ saith unto them, They have taken away triumphant entry into the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not (so much happens in one week in where they have laid him. John’s account) 3 1) Jesus has now washed the disciples’ Peter therefore went forth, and that other feet and taught them disciple, and came to the sepulchre.

2) He foretells of the betrayal of Judas 4 3) He foretells of the denial of Peter So they ran both together: and the other 4) He teaches of the important role of disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the the Holy Spirit sepulchre. 5) He reminds them of the hatred of the 5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the world which would rest upon them linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6) Jesus was captured and tried • Even with the accusations – 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and ultimately of stirring an went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen insurrection against Rome clothes lie, • Jesus said: “My kingdom is not of this world.” 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not 7) He was crucified lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together 8) He was buried in a place by itself. 9) And we have our text before us • READ vs 1-9 8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and John 20:1-9 The first day of the week believed. cometh early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he stone taken away from the sepulchre. must rise again from the dead.

B) There is a documentary about a man John 20: 5-7 “And he stooping down, and named Medgar Evers looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet PHOTO PROJECTION went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter 1) He is a civil rights worker who was following him, and went into the sepulchre, shot to death in his own driveway in and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the Mississippi in 1963 napkin, that was about his head, not lying 2) Almost 30 years later, his family with the linen clothes, but wrapped together asked for his body to be exhumed in a place by itself.” • The family’s hope was that A) After the cross, Jesus was buried another autopsy would shed more 1) Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus light on his death prepared His body and buried Him 3) The documentary shows a body • The tomb had belonged to Joseph remarkably preserved after 30 years 2) Jewish leaders asked Pilate to seal the • His body and his clothes were in tomb and detach guards of the Roman remarkable condition soldiers • They were fearful of disciples stealing C) This morning we will study a grave His body for some claim! opened 3) Several strange events occur near the 1) This time – not by the will of man garden tomb ….. • But by the will of God • An earthquake resulted with the 2) We have looked at Mark’s account Roman guards scattering and the over the last four months stone rolled away • Today we will build on last week’s 4) Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty account through the eyes of John and she runs to tell the disciples 3) The empty tomb is a message to the • The next scene has Peter and John world running to the tomb (vs.4) John beats • Let’s notice the message it brings Peter there • The tomb is empty

B) News of the resurrection became I. A Message of Peace public knowledge 1) The Jewish leaders concoct a story • Three days earlier He was to try to conceal it (Matthew 28) arrested, tried and crucified 2) However, the condition of the tomb • What a difference three days proves this to be a lie make!!! • The wrappings and head scarf folded? B) The resurrection gives validity to all • Had the disciples done this – they of His promises … could not have taken this kind of 1) To resurrect would be the most time difficult feat! • He repeatedly told them He would C) The whole scene was a picture of die and resurrect ….. peace and control • John 2:18-22 Destroy this temple 1) The grave clothes and head scarf and in three days I will raise it up. neatly folded …. • Matthew 12:39-40 As with Jonah • That is our GOD! in the whale’s belly three days and 2) He can leave you with the same three nights peace! • Matthew 16:21 “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto II. A Message of Power his disciples, how that he must go A) The story of a risen Savior unto Jerusalem, and suffer many 1) Several events showed the power of things of the elders and chief our Lord priests and scribes, and be killed, • The earthquake and be raised again the third day.” • The stone rolled away 2) His resurrection gave validity to His • The angel’s appearance recorded other important claims in Matthew • John 14:6 He is the only way to • Even the folded garments the Father • Hebrews 7:25 and John 6:37-40 He is able to save 3) What a wonderful message!

2) Even the scoffer would have to admit III. A Message of Promise this powerful scene! John 20:6-7 “Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying IV. A Message that is Personal (vs. 5-9) with the linen clothes, but wrapped A) The resurrection is so persuasive together in a place by itself.” 1) Men like Henry Morris and Josh McDowell A) John calls particular attention to the converted because of the truth of the grave clothes resurrection. McDowell Quote: 1) Clearly the grave clothes were not disheveled or disarranged After more than 700 hours of studying this subject, • They were lying still in their folds I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection • Lying (keimai) = to lie in place of Jesus Christ is either one of the most wicked, • William Barclay says the Greek word vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted on the minds used denotes the clothes laying of human beings — or it is the most remarkable where the body would have been fact of history. ….. as if Jesus simply evaporated out • The living witnesses of them! • The reliability of the with • This sight is probably what convinced corresponding history (Josephus) John He had resurrected • The broken Roman seal • The Roman guard AWOL B) The napkin about His head folded • The large stone removed 1) The wrapping was neatly folded apart from • His repeated and recorded appearances the clothes • All the efforts to squash the reports of the 2) It has been referenced that in the Jewish witnesses custom of eating a feast ….. 2) A lost person can look at this text and come up with dozens of reasons it may not be true • If one excused himself from the table • People who die – do not get back up and wadded up the napkin …. he was again! finished ……

• But …. if he folded it, he would be right back! 3) I ask you to scrutinize the evidence …. 3) This is for sure – the careful way He left His • See 10 of the 11 remaining disciples die garments and head wrapping ….. declaring He is alive! • Proved He was giving a sign of His sovereign control! B) Chapter 20 concludes with each person 4) We serve a master that fulfills His confronted with His resurrection promises! 1) The facts require a decision … • The stone • The grave cloths • The head wrappings • The empty tomb 2) Ultimately, they will see Him for themselves 3) Two stand out …. • Thomas – the doubter • Peter – the one astray

Conclusion: A) We could have the same in our auditorium 1) Are you a doubter? • Could we be allowed to help you? 2) Are you astray? • The resurrected Savior comes to you as well!