This is a sermon that continues in our series, Easter, John 20:11-18. You can watch more here.
My name is Michael. It’s great to be with
you this morning! Can we give a round of applause for the worship team?
Yes, Lord! We got some turkey and ham for you today from our very own
Dustin Rogers. We get some time with God’s people today. We get to get into
God’s Word today. So good! (Turn to page ???)
A special welcome to those who are new this morning. We are so thankful for
you to worship with us this morning. We understand it is a lot to step into a
new space on Easter Sunday but we ask you to lean in with us, stick around,
we’re glad you are here!
You might see this morning as a national holiday with pastels and candy, and
think this is just a fun event but all over the world men, women and children
are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Amen?
Just to be clear, we’re not celebrating the tradition of Jesus’ resurrecting from
the dead, but the truth that Jesus resurrected from the dead. There are
tongues, tribes, and nations around the world celebrating the resurrection of
Jesus today. This is a great day! (Pause)
You know that phrase, “Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
That’s never happened in my life. I prepare. I have had opportunities, but the
luck has never happened!
It all started when I was 15. I played high school soccer. I tried so hard! I
practiced all the time, and I was always on the bench. There was a moment
the coach puts me in the game. It was against the Trinity Trojans in Euless.
We called them Useless! I finally got my big break, but I couldn’t get my
sweatpants off in time. Coach is yelling at me, so I go running onto the field
tripping over my sweatpants! It was horrible! You’re thinking I wasn’t
prepared, but it happened again!
When I was 16-years old I was in theater and we would do these UIL
competitions where my friend and I make it to the finals. Definitely prepared,
practiced, ready but in the final round I get so overwhelmed with emotions
and excitement I can’t stop crying! My son is so embarrassed by me right
now!
In those moments, at that age, I thought those were the most important events
in my life, but I completely misunderstood what was actually happening.
In our passage this morning we’re about to see someone who also
misunderstood what was happening at the most important moment in human
history, because Easter doesn’t begin with everyone getting dressed up in
pastels. Easter begins with a woman crying alone in a garden about a problem
that has already been solved. Let’s read the passage:
John 20:11-18, “11 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and
looked into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the
body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them,
“Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was
Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the
gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take
Him away.”16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means,
Teacher).
17 Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and
say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”18 Mary Magdalene
came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.”
If you are new to the Bible, that’s okay. The Old Testament points to a Savior
that is coming. The New Testament is about the Savior who came! His name
is Jesus, and at this point in history Jesus has told everyone that He is God in
the flesh. He is going to die. And three days later He is going to resurrect from
the dead.
In the context of the passage this morning Jesus has been put to death in the
most horrible way imaginable, and Mary, one of Jesus’ followers has been
watching all of this unfold. This isn’t Mary, Mother of Jesus. This isn’t Mary of
Martha and Mary. This is Mary who was tormented by demonic spirits and
Jesus saves her. I don’t want to creep you out, but there is still demonic
activity today, and Jesus is still saving people today! Amen?
Mary loved Jesus, Mary’s life was changed by Jesus, so the passage we are
reading this morning is a moment that would have definitely started off
looking like failure. The most important person she has ever met has been
horribly put to death, and she doesn’t realize she is standing in the midst of
the greatest miracle in history.
Jesus had told Mary and the disciples that He would be put to death and He
Jesus had told them He would resurrect from the dead, but people don’t
resurrect from the dead, so in this moment Mary is weeping because doesn’t
understand how this could be a celebration.
I think in a similar way, we can imagine difficult moments in life. We can
imagine what it’s like to be in those ups and downs of life. (Pause) It’s
possible some of us are there right now, so we know what it’s like to be in a
low place. It’s in those low places, we might believe in Jesus but we don’t
understand what He’s doing. Let’s look at verses 11-13:
John 20:11-13, “11 But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and
looked into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the
body of Jesus had been lying. 13 And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them,
“Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
In verse 11 Mary looks into the tomb where Jesus was buried, and in verse 12
Mary sees two angels sitting where Jesus’ body should be and there might be a
part of us that is thinking, “I’ve never seen any angels in my low points.”
What’s up with that?
But keep in mind, the angels don’t do anything to make it all better. Does that
make sense? Sometimes we get excited about angels, but notice the there’s no
trumpet blast to fix everything! They don’t wow Mary with special miracles.
But instead they simply ask her human questions like, “Woman, why are you
crying?” (Referring to her as “woman” isn’t condescending. It’s a title of
creation as woman.) Do you see that in verse 13? Mary’s like, “Uh, because
Jesus’ body is gone!”
Mary has been told Jesus would resurrect from the dead, but there’s no
category in our head for people resurrecting from the dead. Logically she is
thinking, “Someone must have taken Jesus.”
Listen to me, in a similar way, when we are in that place of grief, confusion,
and frustration, it’s likely the Lord will speak to us in a similar way. It’s likely,
He isn’t going to rush in with trumpets blaring and fix everything.
That’s not what’s happened in my life. It’s likely He isn’t going to come with
miracles and wonders to make it all better, but instead the Spirit of God is
going to nudge us to His truth and trust in Him just like we see with Mary.
Let’s look at verses 14-15:
John 20:14-15, “14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know
that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him
to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I
will take Him away.”
In verse 14 we see the reminder that sometimes we can be right in front of
Jesus and not even see Him. Amen? It’s likely Jesus is working in our life, His
grace over our life, and we’re like, “I don’t see Him!” (Jesus is running around
like blessing, blessing, blessing, and we’re like, “I don’t see it!”) Do you see
Mary’s tension in verse 14? Mary is so caught up in despair she can’t see
straight!
In fact, Mary’s thinking, “This must be the gardener.” Do you see that? In
verse 15 Mary says, “If you tell me where you took Him, I will go get Him and
fix it.” It’s because in moments of loss and pain, in those low moments in life,
we are going to try to fix our problems on our own.
I don’t care how old you are this morning, life delivers blows (Failed test,
broken relationship, cancer, finances, family) and when those gut punching
moments come our immediate response is to try to fix it. I’m gonna work
harder.
I’m gonna turn on Kelly Clarkson, “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger!”
We might move cities. We might change jobs. We might turn to addictions
like alcohol, shopping or ice cream! Our natural response in those low
moments is to try to fix it, but look at how Jesus responds. Look at verse 16:
John 20:16, “16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (which means,
Teacher).”
In this moment, Mary thinks she’s talking to the gardener. Mary’s trying to fix
the problem. And then Jesus says one word…He says her name! Jesus doesn’t
scold Mary by saying, “I told you I was going to resurrect!” I told you three
days! Friday, Saturday and Sunday! Three days! Why aren’t you getting it?
He doesn’t do that!
It’s not lecture. It’s not a correction. He just says her name and it changes
everything! Jesus speaks one word, and that one word breaks through her
confusion, because in this moment the glory of God becomes personal.
This is what sets Jesus apart from any faith system in the world. Every other
faith system in the world is a list of rules about what you need to do to get to
God, how you need to pray, how you need to give, how you need to act, but
faith in Jesus is personal.
Prayer and obedience and walking with Jesus comes, but it all starts with
Jesus being personal, so that in our passage this morning we see Jesus comes
to us and Jesus calls us by name! Amen?
There are so many times we cry out to Jesus when we are in that place of
feeling disoriented because we want that problem to be fixed, but more than
anything, Jesus wants relationship with us.
I know this call to “Jesus being personal” can sound abstract, so let me try to
make it clear. It doesn’t mean we are hearing an audible voice in those
moments. I’ve been walking with Jesus for 30+ years and I have never heard
an audible voice.
“Jesus being personal” doesn’t mean we are swept up in emotional
experiences. I have emotional moments with Jesus, but it’s not the root of our
relationship. It doesn’t mean we don’t have doubts and struggles. Mary was
in the midst of some pretty big doubts and struggles!
“Jesus being personal” means when we read His Word, we find it to be
personal instead of just informational. Not all the time, but in general, God’s
Word is warm and personal and inviting and life giving, because the Bible is
speaking to us on a personal level. He’s personal!
In addition, “Jesus being personal” means we begin to recognize His voice
from our voice. I heard someone say last week, “I needed to be able to tell the
difference between His voice and my voice, and to do that I needed to be in His
Word every day, so I could know His voice.” Jesus voice becomes personal.
Lastly, Mary moves from trying to fix it in verse 15 to surrender in verse 16.
Did you see that? In the same way, “Jesus being personal” is when we bring
those low moments to Him instead of trying to fix those low moments on our
own. It’s because when Jesus is personal we are trusting that that He’s in that
grief, confusion and frustration with us! He’s personal!
I remember when my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she came to
live with us for about 9-months and it was definitely a place of grief, confusion
and frustration, because there were times she would just walk out of our
house in the middle of the day.
As a result, I would take my mom to work with me, put on a movie, and try to
do some work. Sometimes I would go to meet people, sometimes new visitors
to our church in Austin, and I would bring my Alzheimer’s mom with me to
the meeting. It was so weird. I was hanging on by a very thin thread!
But Jesus was with me in those moments. He never did anything miraculous
to fix it. There were no angels who came to make everything better. But Jesus
met me in those moments. His Word met me in those moments. The church
family met me in those moments, so that He gave me strength and
perseverance and endurance to keep going, because He’s personal.
I don’t know where everyone is on their spiritual journey this morning. I
don’t know if you’re in a place of frustration, but I need you to see Jesus is
personal. I need you to hear that Jesus is personal. He knows us by name.
He probably isn’t going to fix every problem in our life in the twinkling of an
eye, but He is entering into those places with us, so that we can know Him and
turn to Him, but He needs to become personal for you.
You can come talk to me or anyone on this stage. Or, you can stop listening to
me and just start talking to Him. You can take time later today to read about
His life. You just need to meet Him. Look at verses 17-18:
John 20:17-18, “17 Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My
brethren and say to them, ‘I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.’”18 Mary
Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her.”
I mean, Jesus is personal, but He still has a purpose. In verse 17 when you see
Jesus say, “Stop clinging to Me.” It’s not rejection. It’s moving Mary from a
physical presence to eternal mission!
It’s stop holding on to what you’ve known, and open your heart and mind up
to what is to come. Does that make sense? It’s why in verse 18, we see Mary
move from seeking for Jesus to speaking about Jesus. Mary runs to tell others.
Mary turns into the Chi-lites, “I have seen Him!”
Mary runs to tell the disciples. Jesus is alive! Mary’s telling the disicples, “He
told us He would raise from the dead, and I’ve seen Him! Do you see that in
verse 18? Listen to me, there are people seeking for truth all over our city
right now.
Our city has always been a spiritual city, but here recently, our city is filled
with men and women that are hungry for truth. I am not saying they are
looking for Jesus. They are looking for truth. They are looking for answers,
and they could be standing right next to Jesus, not see Him, therefore, those
who are His need to call out, “I have seen Him. I know Him.” And invite them
to know Jesus! Amen?
Listen to me, Jesus’ resurrection isn’t the end. Jesus’ resurrection is just the
beginning, because He wants us to go and tell others about Him, but it all
starts with Jesus becoming personal. Do you see that in our passage this
morning?
I know our spiritual lives are hard to grasps sometimes, but the glory of God
didn’t come so that we can just sit in a worship service on Sunday morning,
and be like, “Yes, pastor!” It’s not about our career track. It’s not about our
401K. It’s not about political candidates. It’s not about the United States. I
love our country, but it’s always been about Jesus!
Jesus came to bring heaven on earth in His Kingdom! Therefore, Jesus is
inviting us to live heaven on earth in His Kingdom by grace through faith in
His life, death and resurrection, and share Him with others, because we’ve met
the One who’s overcame death and darkness.
Therefore, if we want to see this happen in our life, let me give you some
practical application:
1. Slow down. It’s really hard to see “Jesus is personal” when we are
constantly making our lives noisy. Therefore, take a moment each day
to be still. Take a moment each day to look at God’s Word. Take a
moment each day to engage in honest prayer with Jesus to hear from
Him and see Him!
2. Be honest with Jesus. We don’t have to dress up our lives for Jesus.
We can be honest about the frustrations, grief, and pain, and trust that
Jesus meets us in those low moments. But at the same time, we don’t
have to be defined by those low moments.
3. Respond. Jesus sends Mary out immediately. Did you see that? Mary
didn’t go through a class. Mary didn’t know how to explain that Jesus is
alive. Jesus just sends her, and she says, “I have seen Him!” therefore, if
you’ve met Jesus, if He has become personal, then share the hope of
Jesus with others. Look to bring encouragement. Look to be a blessing
to others. Look for ways to share hope with friends, co-workers, and neighbors for His glory!
North Village Church
This sermon is brought to you by North Village Church, a non-denominational church in Austin. established in 2009 and built around Jesus and Bible teaching.
Are you looking for a church in Austin? At North Village Church we put Jesus at the center of our church family. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30am, encourage Christ centered fellowship through groups, and host special events such as Bible studies and Theological Training, to ensure that we are rooted in in God’s Word. We also serve our local community in association with several Austin based organizations.
North Village Church is made up of professionals, married couples, singles, and families who are wanting to experience the life-transforming power of Jesus. If you are a family with children or teens, we can support you with either or both our Kids Ministry and Youth Ministry.
You are welcome to contact us if you would like more information.
NVC Online
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