Monday, 27 March 2017

John devotional week beginning 27/3/17 – John 20:1-18 Jesus is risen!

16:12 Posted by Matthew Beaney No comments


Going deeper week 4 – Personal daily study notes on Jn. 20:1-18
No one believes what Jesus has said about His resurrection! Mary believes that Jesus’ body has been stolen; John and Peter run to the tomb but ‘did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead’.
Slowly, through a number of encounters, Jesus convinces them of the reality of the resurrection. They go on a journey from mourning and fear, to joy and courage; the journey that we are all on as we, daily, allow the truth of the resurrection to saturate our perspective.
Monday: “They have taken the Lord”
Read John 20:1-2, Mark 16:1-8. It is probably the case that Mary Madeline runs back to the disciples, leaving the other women at the tomb who have a meeting with an angel (Not recorded in John). She declares, “They (Jesus’ enemies) have taken the Lord…” She was not expecting a resurrection! Let’s not allow fear cause us to lose sight of the resurrection. “Where is Jesus?” you ask, He is right here with you!
Tuesday: ‘They did not understand’
Read John 20:3-10. Peter and John run to the tomb. Finding it empty we read,They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead’. Neither Peter nor John were expecting a resurrection. Despite all that Jesus had said and the testimony of these women, they fail to grasp what has happened. Are you living in assurance of the resurrection? Ask God to deepen your faith and trust.
Wednesday: “I don’t know where they have put Him”
Read John 20:11-15. Mary returns to the tomb. Maybe she has not heard the testimony of the other woman who remained behind and saw the angels (Matt. 28:5) or she is just overwhelmed with confusion and grief. Either way, she doesn’t recognise Jesus who is ‘standing there… she thinks He is the gardener ‘; Jesus wants to meet us where we are. He comforts us through scripture, friends, sermons, a song etc. Let’s expect and listen for His comfort; don’t dismiss Him as He speaks to you.
Thursday:Mary”
Read John 20:16. When Jesus calls her name, it finally dawns on her that Jesus is alive. Her grief and confusion are dispelled with the revelation that Jesus is with her. We can know the promises, we can hear of other people’s experiences, but have we met the risen Jesus? And if so have we done so recently? We know that at least three other women were with Mary, but God is focussing on her. God loves you and wants to meet with you personally. Let’s ask the Spirit to fill us today with the presence of the risen Jesus.  
Friday: “Don’t hold on to me”
Read John 20:17, 16:5-7. Jesus is telling Mary, and us, that although He is risen, His will not be with us bodily, but by the Spirit. Mary holds on to Him, and we also may wish that Jesus were here physically; but let’s remember, the physical Jesus could only be with one person at a time! Now He is equally with all of us as our loving God.
Saturday: “I have seen the Lord”
Read John 20:18. Now Mary is convinced that Jesus has risen from the dead as He had promised. Revelation is always accompanied by action – faith and action always go together. Are you convinced that Jesus is alive? How is this being seen in your life and relationships? Pray for grace to live as one who knows the risen, Spirit giving, Saviour.
You can catch up on all the messages in the John series at:



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