45: More Unbelievable than Resurrection: "My Father and Your Father" (John 20:1 – 18)

They couldn’t believe Jesus’ resurrection. However, the privilege and blessing given by His resurrection are too great for us to imagine.

πŸ‘‰ Read John 20: 1 - 18


Q1. When Mary saw the stone was moved away, what did she think? (2)

Someone stole the body of Jesus.

Jesus had told several times about His resurrection, but she didn’t take the literal meaning of resurrection. She didn’t believe it.

Note that Jesus showed them the empty tomb first before He would appear to them. It was to expose their unbelief of not believing the resurrection and to challenge them to walk in faith. The empty tomb might construe two possible interpretations: resurrection or tomb robbery. They interpreted that the body was stolen, which is more probable, rather than Jesus having risen, even though Jesus had told beforehand. 

The empty tomb could be evidence of the resurrection for those who believe Jesus. However, for those who rely on evidence to believe, it could support the conspiracy that the disciples stole the body and claimed that Jesus had risen.


Q2. When the two disciples saw the empty tomb, the Bible says, they believed. What do you think they believed? (8 – 9)

They believed what Mary had said that the body had been stolen.

It was not that they believed in resurrection. Verse 9 confirmed it.


Q3. What was the message that Mary needed to deliver to the disciples?  

“I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

This is what Jesus has accomplished through His death and resurrection. When Jesus was resurrected, He realized that His plea for forgiveness of sins was granted by God. The resurrection confirms that the atonement sacrifice was accepted.

We can experience the Father just as Jesus experiences Him. We have the same intimacy with the Father as Jesus has. We will see the glory of God as if Jesus sees it. God loves us as if He loves Jesus, for we are one in Jesus Christ. What a great privilege and blessing it is!


Q4. After the disciples had gone, Jesus appeared to Mary. Why do you think He did not appear to all three at once? 

To challenge the disciples to believe the message of resurrection.

There was a more important thing for them than to meet the risen Lord. As Jesus' disciples, they should learn how 'to walk in faith.' Without faith, they cannot be the instrument of the Holy Spirit and witnesses of Jesus. 




The Risen Lord has not appeared in our own eyes individually. Instead, the message of resurrection has been given to us. We are supposed to believe it. 

Experience the reconciled relationship with the Father and know how blessed you are in Christ.


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