But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Joh 20:11-16
First Appearance of the Risen Lord
First Appearance of the Risen Lord
It was a real body that appeared to Mary. "Touch Me not," said Jesus. Then it was possible to touch Him. If not, prohibition was unnecessary. Wisdom never tells us to do what cannot be done. The face that looked at her was not a grey, ghastly gleam; the voice she heard was not a dead voice. The form she saw was not a form that trembled in the twilight far within the tomb, but one that stood boldly forth in the warm, clear, cheerful day outside.
We have in the words "Touch Me not," a gentle reproof, pointing to the lack of spirituality in Mary’s faith. Even her worshipping thoughts of Jesus seemed to rise no higher than an embodied presence; to her mind, the supreme object of faith could be touched with fingers; she could only think of a Rabboni Whose feet she could clasp, and to Whose garments she could cling. Just now, at least, her soul was cleaving to the dust, and was shut up in the world of sights, sounds and touches. The words of Jesus were to discipline and raise her faith, and to break to her the truth that He is no longer to be revealed under the forms of time, and in the world of sensation, but to the soul.
We are taught that although Mary had this check when beginning to touch the risen Christ, all the disciples may touch Him, now that He is in heaven. This is the natural conclusion from the language, "For I am not yet ascended to My Father." The word yet conveys the inference that when He was ascended, she might touch Him as much as she pleased.
These words may have included an injunction to Mary not to delay her errand to the disciples. "Do not touch Me," might have meant "Do not linger." It is almost as if He had said: "Mary, there is no time now for tender intimacies, and protracted intercourse; I have this more important employment for you; go to them at once, for they must make haste if they would see Me; and you must make haste if you would give them fair notice." So now, Christ is always calling us away from the passive to the active—from personal enjoyment to practical service.
(C. Stanford, From Calvary to Olivet, p. 125)
We have in the words "Touch Me not," a gentle reproof, pointing to the lack of spirituality in Mary’s faith. Even her worshipping thoughts of Jesus seemed to rise no higher than an embodied presence; to her mind, the supreme object of faith could be touched with fingers; she could only think of a Rabboni Whose feet she could clasp, and to Whose garments she could cling. Just now, at least, her soul was cleaving to the dust, and was shut up in the world of sights, sounds and touches. The words of Jesus were to discipline and raise her faith, and to break to her the truth that He is no longer to be revealed under the forms of time, and in the world of sensation, but to the soul.
We are taught that although Mary had this check when beginning to touch the risen Christ, all the disciples may touch Him, now that He is in heaven. This is the natural conclusion from the language, "For I am not yet ascended to My Father." The word yet conveys the inference that when He was ascended, she might touch Him as much as she pleased.
These words may have included an injunction to Mary not to delay her errand to the disciples. "Do not touch Me," might have meant "Do not linger." It is almost as if He had said: "Mary, there is no time now for tender intimacies, and protracted intercourse; I have this more important employment for you; go to them at once, for they must make haste if they would see Me; and you must make haste if you would give them fair notice." So now, Christ is always calling us away from the passive to the active—from personal enjoyment to practical service.
(C. Stanford, From Calvary to Olivet, p. 125)
Evidence of Jesus' Victory
The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem - Pastor Robert Morris
https://youtu.be/3cxPZ6COJXo?si=RU8m0L_cf1je_OqZ
Evidence of Jesus’ Death
The burial confirms the reality of Jesus' death. The placement of Jesus' body in the tomb confirms that He truly died, countering any claims that He merely fainted or was unconscious. The sealing of the tomb and the posting of guards (Matthew 27:66) further authenticate the historical reality of His death and burial.
Resurrection
The fact that the tomb was found empty by Mary Magdalene and other women on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1-3) is a cornerstone of Christian faith. The empty tomb serves as a powerful testimony of Jesus' victory over death. Angels at the tomb declared, “He is not here; He has risen!” (Matthew 28:6), affirming the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy about His resurrection (Matthew 16:21).
The tomb symbolizes the inevitability of death for all humans. By entering the tomb, Jesus fully identified with human mortality (Romans 6:23).
Victory Over Death
The empty tomb symbolizes Jesus' triumph over death, sin, and the grave. This is central to the Christian hope of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
The resurrection from the tomb validates Jesus’ claims as the Son of God and the promised Messiah (Romans 1:4). Jesus' resurrection from the tomb is the firstfruits of the general resurrection of believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Women as Witnesses
The Gospels emphasize that women were the first to visit the tomb and witness the angelic proclamation. This elevates their role in the Resurrection narrative and highlights the countercultural nature of the Gospel.
Peter and John’s visit to the empty tomb (John 20:3-9) is a critical moment that strengthens the evidence of the Resurrection.
The tomb where Jesus was laid is not merely a burial site but a profound witness to the central event of the Christian faith—the Resurrection. It serves as a testament to God’s power, the fulfillment of His promises, and the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him.
In the Garden- Tennessee Ernie Ford
https://youtu.be/W8kj_yK39Sg?si=XV60pND_Vw2SG1nx
https://youtu.be/3cxPZ6COJXo?si=RU8m0L_cf1je_OqZ
Evidence of Jesus’ Death
The burial confirms the reality of Jesus' death. The placement of Jesus' body in the tomb confirms that He truly died, countering any claims that He merely fainted or was unconscious. The sealing of the tomb and the posting of guards (Matthew 27:66) further authenticate the historical reality of His death and burial.
Resurrection
The fact that the tomb was found empty by Mary Magdalene and other women on the first day of the week (Luke 24:1-3) is a cornerstone of Christian faith. The empty tomb serves as a powerful testimony of Jesus' victory over death. Angels at the tomb declared, “He is not here; He has risen!” (Matthew 28:6), affirming the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy about His resurrection (Matthew 16:21).
The tomb symbolizes the inevitability of death for all humans. By entering the tomb, Jesus fully identified with human mortality (Romans 6:23).
Victory Over Death
The empty tomb symbolizes Jesus' triumph over death, sin, and the grave. This is central to the Christian hope of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
The resurrection from the tomb validates Jesus’ claims as the Son of God and the promised Messiah (Romans 1:4). Jesus' resurrection from the tomb is the firstfruits of the general resurrection of believers (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
Women as Witnesses
The Gospels emphasize that women were the first to visit the tomb and witness the angelic proclamation. This elevates their role in the Resurrection narrative and highlights the countercultural nature of the Gospel.
Peter and John’s visit to the empty tomb (John 20:3-9) is a critical moment that strengthens the evidence of the Resurrection.
The tomb where Jesus was laid is not merely a burial site but a profound witness to the central event of the Christian faith—the Resurrection. It serves as a testament to God’s power, the fulfillment of His promises, and the hope of eternal life for all who believe in Him.
In the Garden- Tennessee Ernie Ford
https://youtu.be/W8kj_yK39Sg?si=XV60pND_Vw2SG1nx
