John 20,21; Acts 1

John 20

Mary Magdalene comes early to the tomb and sees the stone has been removed

• She runs to tell Peter and “the beloved disciple”
• Both disciples run to tomb
  • Beloved disciple outruns Peter 
• Peter enters tomb and sees linen cloths and a folded face cloth
• Beloved disciple sees and believes
• Disciples still do not fully understand resurrection Scripture

Mary weeps outside the tomb and sees two angels

• Then sees Jesus but does not recognize Him initially
• Jesus says “Mary.” And She recognizes Him “Rabboni!”

Jesus tells Mary “Do not cling to me…”

• Jesus has not yet ascended to the Father
• Mary sent to announce resurrection to disciples

Disciples gathered in fear with locked doors 

• Jesus appears in the midst saying“Peace be with you.”
• Jesus shows his hands and side

Jesus breathes on them and says “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus sends disciples as the Father sent Him

• Power to forgive and to withhold 

Thomas the Apostle (who was not with them) refuses to believe without seeing wounds

• Eight days later Jesus appears again even though locked doors
• Invites Thomas to touch wounds

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Purpose Statement of John

• Jesus performed many other signs
• John writes so readers may:
  • believe Jesus is the Christ
  • believe He is the Son of God
  • have life in His name

John 21

Peter says he is going fishing in Sea of Tiberias

• Several disciples join him
• They catch nothing through the night

Jesus Appears on Shore

• Jesus calls from shore and tells them to cast net on right side
  • Huge catch of fish results
• Beloved disciple saysv“It is the Lord!”
• Peter jumps into water to reach Jesus

Jesus prepares bread and fish for the group 

John notes this was Jesus’ third appearance to disciples collectively

Jesus asks Peter three times “Do you love me?”

• Mirrors Peter’s three denials
• Jesus responds each time:
  • “Feed my lambs”
  • “Tend my sheep”
  • “Feed my sheep”

Two Greek words for love appear:

• ἀγαπάω (agapaō) Jesus asks this twice
• φιλέω (phileō) Peter responds with this word twice. Finally, Jesus asks using this word and Peter responds with this word as well. 

Jesus predicts Peter will die as martyr

• Indicates kind of death glorifying God
• Jesus calls Peter again “Follow me.”

Peter asks about beloved disciple’s future

• Jesus says “What is that to you? You follow me!”
• Jesus did not promise beloved disciple would never die

Beloved disciple identified as witness/testifier

 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Acts 1

Written by Luke

• Acts is the sequel to the Gospel of Luke
• Luke addresses both books to Theophilus 

Acts showsvthe spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to the nations

• Written likely around AD 62–70
• Events begin about 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection

Luke references his “former book” (the Gospel of Luke)

• Jesus:
  • presented Himself alive after suffering
  • gave many proofs of resurrection
  • appeared over 40 days
  • taught about the kingdom of God

“many proofs”

• Greek: τεκμήριον (tekmērion)

Jesus commands the disciples:

• stay in Jerusalem
• wait for “the promise of the Father”
• John baptized with water, the disciples will be baptized with the Holy Spirit
• This fulfills:
  • Joel 2
  • promises in John 14-16
  • Luke 24:49

The disciples ask “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

• They still expected a political kingdom and defeat of Rome
• Jesus redirects them from timing to their mission

Jesus says they will:

• receive power
• receive the Holy Spirit
• become witnesses

Geographic progression:

1. Jerusalem
2. Judea
3. Samaria
4. ends of the earth

Greeeeeeek word

“witnesses”

• Greek: μάρτυρες (martyres)
• Where we get the English word “martyr”
• Originally meant someone who testifies
• Eventually associated with dying for testimony because many believers were killed for their witness.

Jesus ascends into heaven

• A cloud takes Him out of their sight
• Two men in white robes say Jesus will return
  • He will come back in the same manner He ascended

The disciples return to Jerusalem and gather in the upper room

Listed persons:

• Peter
• John
• James
• Andrew
• Philip
• Thomas
• Bartholomew
• Matthew
• James son of Alphaeus
• Simon the Zealot
• Judas son of James
• women followers
• Mary the mother of Jesus
• Jesus’ brothers
• About 120 believers gathered

Peter says Scripture had to be fulfilled regarding Judas

• Psalm 69:25
• Psalm 109:8

Judas

• betrayed Jesus
• acquired a field
• died violently in “Akeldama”
  • Means “Field of Blood”

They need a replacement. Requirements include:

• accompanied Jesus during His ministry
• witnessed the resurrection
• Two men proposed:
  • Joseph called Barsabbas (Justus)
  • Matthias

The believers pray for God’s guidance and cast lots. Matthias is chosen.

Application

Jesus calls us to focus less on timelines, and more on our present ministry. We must remember that spiritual work cannot be done on our strength alone. God gives us the Holy Spirit to help shape and guide us.