Bible Study Guide for April 19
John 20:1-31 On Easter we read the account of the Resurrection news from Matthew’s gospel, which focused mostly on the activity and role of the women, who witnessed the crucifixion, the burial of Jesus and heard first hand from the angel that he was risen. They were given instruction to go tell the disciples that Jesus was risen and would meet them in Galilee. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary encountered Jesus, held onto his feet, worshiped him and were sent by Jesus to tell the disciples.
In John’s gospel Mary Magdalene alone goes to the tomb (John 20:1), sees the stone rolled away and goes to find Simon Peter and another disciple to tell them that Jesus body has been removed from the tomb. Note that in vs. 4 she reports, We don’t know where they have laid him. Simon Peter and the other disciple go to the tomb and see that the body of Jesus is gone and only the linen coverings remain. Vs. 8 states that they saw and believed. That alone sounds as if they believed the resurrection, but vs. 9 makes clear that they did not yet understand from the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. What they understood from vs. 8 is that Mary’s report that the body had been removed was true.
After the disciples leave the tomb, Mary Magdalene remains and Jesus comes to her. Perhaps she does not even look at him, but presumes he is the gardener or the caretaker of the cemetery and asks if he knows where the body of Jesus has been laid. When Jesus speaks her name, Mary recognizes him. Her instinct is to grab hold of him, but Jesus tells her not to do so because he had not yet returned to the Father. Previously I had raised the contrast between Matthew’s gospel where the women hold onto Jesus feet, with no protest from him, and John’s gospel where Jesus directs Mary not to touch him. Again I say that Matthew’s gospel frequently calls Jesus Son of Man noting that in his incarnation he becomes like one of us (Humankind) with all the challenges of being a human. The gospel of John more frequently uses Son of God with special emphasis about the divinity of Christ. Therefore, in John’s gospel, his connection with the Heavenly Father causes him to caution Mary not to touch the Divine. After giving Mary instructions to go tell the disciples that he is risen. Note that in John there is no instruction about going to Galilee. As we see in the following verses, Jesus will come directly to the disciples in the places they have quarantined themselves right there in Jerusalem.
Vs. 19-23 Jesus’ disciples are locked up because they are afraid of the Jews, whom they presume may decide to annihilate them as well. Jesus enters the room. (Note he is not bound by human needs such as unlocking or breaking down the door.) He speaks the traditional greeting of Shalom or Peace be with you! He shows them his hands and side as proof of who he is and they recognize him and rejoice over his presence. In vs. 21 Jesus gives to them the same commission that God had given him. (In Matthew’s gospel this is found in the final chapter, where the Great Commission is given.) Jesus also breathes on them and invites them to receive the Holy Spirit, which they will need to do as he has done. (Note in Luke’s gospel and in Acts, which Luke wrote this Holy Spirit event comes at Pentecost when Jesus has ascended.)
Vs. 23 often seems uncertain. Here Jesus seems to give the disciples the authority to forgive or not to forgive sins. If that were the true interpretation of this verse, then God would be bound by our decisions. That would not be consistent with the rest of scripture, so what else might this verse mean? Remember that Jesus has just given the disciples the commission to go into the world and proclaim the gospel. If people accept that Gospel, then their sins will be forgiven. If they do not accept the gospel, then they remain unforgiven. Our task is to be faithful in sharing the Gospel. The remaining action is God’s work.
The remaining section of chapter 20 focuses on one of the disciples who was not present on Easter Evening when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. When he came back, he found a change in the disciples and their story that was perhaps too impossible to embrace. Remember all he knew was that Jesus was crucified, buried and now stolen away. His proclamation that he had to see and touch are the epitome of how we are often convinced of truthfulness. We accept what we know first hand and do not always accept the testimony or explanation of others. A week later Jesus returns in a similar fashion. The disciples are still locked up, but Jesus does not unlock the door or kick it in. Jesus greets them in Peace and invites Thomas to specifically touch his wounds, but Thomas makes, what say to be the first affirmation of faith following the resurrection, “My Lord, and My God!” Jesus affirms that Thomas is believing because of his seeing, but recognizes that others will believe because of the stories and testimonies that Jesus followers will tell.
Verses 31 and 32 affirm for us that not everything Jesus did was recorded in John’s gospel, but the things that are recorded have this purposed: That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of god, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Contrast that with John 3:16 & 17. John’s gospel is consistent from beginning to end in this purpose.
Acts 2:14a, 22-32 This speech is lifted from a witness that Peter gave on the Day of Pentecost when people had accused the disciples of being drunk because of the speaking in tongues that followed the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Peter outlines not only the life of Jesus and the things that lead to his death and resurrection, but also makes connection with the Old Testament teachings of David. Now remember Peter is talking to Jews from all over the world and David is one of the primary authorities and heroes of the Jewish history. Peter, further contrasts the life of David, who was buried in Jerusalem and Jesus, also buried there, but now raised to life. The final affirmation on behalf of the disciples is that they are witnesses of all of this, including the resurrection. Remember now that this is a record of Luke.
I Peter 1:3-9 This letter is written by the Apostle Peter (a title given to the disciples, which means Sent after the ascension of Jesus and the anointing of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost). He writes to people primarily from Asia Minor, some of whom were in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost). Just the people he addresses affirm the transformation in Peter that occurred in Acts 10 when Peter had a vision of unclean things.)
In vs. 3 Peter uses the term New Birth as a gift of God for a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and for an inheritance which is being kept in heaven for us. God is the guardian of that gift.
Peter reminds these Christians that there may be a time of suffering, but the gift of God is of much greater worth than any suffering that we have or any earthly possession we might acquire.
Vss 8-9 reflect the words of Jesus we read in John 20: 29 when Jesus was talking to Thomas. Peter also affirms that the goal or purpose of faith and faithful living is the salvation of our souls.
Psalm 16 is a beautiful prayer about God’s graciousness even in time of danger.
Once again as I study Scripture, I never cease to be amazed at the parallels in the stories of God’s people then and now. In the Gospel of John Mary is told not to touch, similar to our present time. The disciples are locked up or quarantined, not because of the fear of a virus, but fear of being harmed (but very similar) and David’s prayer of trust that God is Lord of everything and every moment of our lives. Thanks be to God!