John's Witness to the Promise of the Resurrection

[0:00] Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

[0:19] So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, they've taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have laid him.

[0:32] So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together. But the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

[0:46] Stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloth lying there, but didn't go in. Then Simon Peter came following him and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloth lying there, and the face cloth which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloth, but folded up in a place by itself.

[1:08] Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in. And he saw and believed. For as yet, they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

[1:26] And then the disciples went back to their homes. Continue reading in John's Gospel, chapter 20, at verse 11.

[1:37] The disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. And as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb.

[1:52] And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain. One at the head, and one at the feet. And they said to her, woman, why are you weeping?

[2:05] And she said to them, they've taken away my Lord, and I don't know where they've laid him. Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing.

[2:19] But she didn't know that it was Jesus. 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've laid him.

[2:37] And I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him, in Aramaic, Rabboni, which means teacher.

[2:52] Jesus said to her, don't cling to me. For I have not yet ascended to my father. But go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my father and to your father, to my God and to your God.

[3:08] Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lord. And that he had said to her these things.

[3:21] Well, do turn with me in your Bibles to John chapter 20. And I want to think this morning about John's witness to the promise of the resurrection.

[3:32] And first of all, I want to speak about the credible nature of John's witness. It is a credible witness. On Good Friday, we looked together at John's witness in his gospel to the power of the cross.

[3:48] To eyewitness testimony. From John himself. And from several women who were there at the cross. At Golgotha when Jesus was crucified. And one of those was Mary Magdalene.

[4:02] And we find Mary also here in the garden as one of the key witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And to the promise that that resurrection brings to the whole world.

[4:16] Now remember that John is very concerned with recording evidence. Eyewitness testimony. Like Mary and the others.

[4:28] And he's also concerned with giving the explanation of exactly what that evidence means. And why it matters. And John is a credible witness.

[4:42] If you look back to John chapter 19 verse 35 that we read on Good Friday. You'll see that John as it were swears an oath. He who saw it, he says, has borne witness and his testimony is true.

[4:57] Turn over to the end to chapter 21 and verse 24. And you'll see that again. He says, look, you all know me. You know the disciple who is bearing witness about these things.

[5:08] And who has written these things. And we know his testimony is true. So John who wrote all of this down for us is a credible witness.

[5:21] He was known. He was trusted. And of course when he first wrote there were plenty of people who were there. Who likewise could have refuted him. If it were not true.

[5:34] But notice the second thing that these final verses of John's book in chapter 21 tell us. Look at verse 25. John's not just a credible witness. He's a very careful selector of his material.

[5:47] He says the world itself couldn't contain all that could have been written about Jesus. But John has written these things. Carefully selected. And that's because.

[5:59] And this is I guess the third thing by way of introduction. John has written with a clear purpose. Look back over the page again to chapter 20. And verses 30 and 31.

[6:11] Now again he says there that there's far too much just for one book about Jesus. But these things he says. These things are written. And they're written for a clear purpose.

[6:25] Now it's not that John's being dishonest. It's not that he's leaving out awkward things. Awkward evidence. He's not redacting his documents for testimony.

[6:35] He's not cutting bits out or blanking them out. So as to not embarrass powerful people. We've seen that recently haven't we? With the crown office and all the shenanigans going on in our parliament.

[6:46] To its shame. But no. John repeats honest testimony. Verse 30. Things done openly. In the presence of the disciples. And none of them failed to recall these things.

[7:02] And the things were many. They were too abundant. For John to write down. But he records the evidence that he does do. With a very clear purpose. And that purpose is so that we will grasp.

[7:13] The significance of it all. And act on it. Look at verse 31. That you might believe. Well believe what? But believe what the evidence clearly demonstrates.

[7:28] That Jesus of Nazareth was not just a man. Not just a teacher. Not even just a healer. But that he is you see. The Christ.

[7:39] That is the Messiah. The son of God himself. And so that in him and through him. You might find says John. Life. In his name.

[7:52] Life. That is as you'll understand. If you read John's gospel. The life. Of the world. To come. That Jesus is constantly. Teaching about.

[8:04] Real resurrection life. Life. That can only come in fullness. At the final resurrection. But. Which can be entered into.

[8:14] Now. By faith. In Jesus Christ. I am come. Said Jesus. That you may have. Life. I am. The bread of life. He says.

[8:24] In John chapter 6. The words. That I have spoken to you. Are spirit. And life. And that's what John's gospel is about. From beginning to end.

[8:35] Eternal. Life. Come. Into this world. Now. Already. Through personal knowledge. Of the son of God.

[8:46] And through belief. Through faith. In his name. And notice. And notice. Therefore. That faith. For John. As for the whole bible. Is not. A leap into the dark.

[8:59] Faith is the opposite. It's a step. Into the light. Into the light. Of clear evidence. Testimony. To real events. That occurred. Before many. Many witnesses. And that was passed on.

[9:10] Faithfully. And honestly. And truthfully. I would urge you. If you've never. If you've never done it before. To read right through John's gospel. And it records so many signs.

[9:22] Mighty works. Publicly. Witnessed. By many people. But here in John chapter 20. John records for us. The climactic sign. The sign of all signs.

[9:33] And that is of course. The resurrection. Of Jesus. From the dead. And it too is testified. By many. Many. Witnesses. They give us clear evidence.

[9:44] But more than that. John gives us clear. Explanation. The significance. Which if we accept it. Must. Drive us.

[9:56] To an honest verdict. To belief. That can lead us. To life everlasting. In his name. The life of.

[10:07] Of God the eternal. Himself. Shared. With human beings. I've spent. Much more time.

[10:18] In courtrooms. And among lawyers. In this last. Year or so. Than I'd ever planned. Or wanted. But it has been instructive. And. The testimony of witnesses.

[10:29] Is taken. In a courtroom. One by one. And then. The advocate. Sums it all up. And he puts his. Case. To the judge.

[10:40] Or if there's a jury. To the jury. A case which is solid. And unanswerable. That is to lead. To. A clear. Verdict. That's just what we have here.

[10:51] It's like a courtroom. It's. It's full of evidence. Four. Separate. Groups of witnesses. Each. See. With their own eyes. The physical. Evidence. Of the resurrection.

[11:02] Of Jesus Christ. First of all. There's Peter and John. As we read. In verses one to nine. They see the empty tomb. They see the grave clothes. And at least John. When he goes in. Verse eight. He gets it. He saw.

[11:13] And believed. And then Mary. Verse 14. Saw Jesus. And she testifies. To the others. Verse 18. I have seen. The Lord. And then that evening.

[11:25] Verse 20. There's 11 of them. Together. And they. See the Lord. And last of all. Of course. This famous Thomas. Not a doubter. By the way.

[11:36] But a hardened skeptic. A cynic. A total unbeliever. Look at verse 25. I will never believe. He says. Unless I see. With my own eyes.

[11:47] And I touch. With my own hands. But of course. In the end. He did. See. And touch. And of course.

[11:58] The irony. Is that Thomas. Becomes the great believer. Verse 28. He cries. My Lord. And my God. He goes further. Than all the rest of them. He really does.

[12:08] Get it. Very clearly. But you see. It's all about. Evidence. Credible. Witness. And that's why. Of course. Jesus rebukes Thomas.

[12:19] Because he had rejected. Perfectly good. Evidence. And testimony. Honest. Eyewitnesses. And. In verse 29. Jesus commends. Those who will come later.

[12:30] Who wouldn't be able to see. With their own eyes. Or touch with their own hands. The risen Jesus. Because. He's ascended to the Father. In heaven. But they would believe. And will believe. The credible witness.

[12:43] Of the first disciples. Blessed are those who have not seen. And yet have believed. And have trusted. These credible. Honest men. And women. Who brought that testimony to others.

[12:56] What they saw. What they heard. Others like us. Today. And that's why John wrote the gospel. Of course. So that we. And people all over the world.

[13:07] Who cannot see with our eyes. The risen Lord Jesus. In glory. But so that we might believe. And find that life. In his name. That he has promised. The whole chapter is full.

[13:20] Of credible. Witness. Evidence. First hand. To the resurrection. Of Jesus Christ. But this morning. We're going to focus.

[13:30] Just on one of them. On Mary's witness. In the garden. And on John's explanation. Of her evidence. That shows her. Proclaiming this wonderful message. To the other disciples.

[13:40] And through them. To the whole world. And it's that. Meaning. That's carried. In Mary's simple message. It's that meaning. That makes it. A gospel. That makes it good news.

[13:52] For the whole world today. We'll come back in a few minutes. To look at Mary. And see her. As the truth dawns on her. That morning. And she moves. From weeping.

[14:04] To awakening. Understanding. And finally. To witnessing. With great joy. To others. As she tells that gospel of Jesus. Back to John.

[14:15] Chapter 20. And the passage there. Verse 11. And following. First of all. First little scene. That we're. Met with. Is Mary's. Tears. By the graveside.

[14:27] Mary. Mary. Weeping. As she is. At the real pain. Of death. It's one of the. Utterly. Authentic.

[14:37] And rather lovely. Touches. Of the gospels. That we have. These little. Cameos. Of. Of different characters. Around the cross. And on that first. Easter morning. And we're told.

[14:49] About Mary. Verse 1. She'd come early. In the dark. Perhaps with others. Mary's first appearance. Actually. In John's gospel. Is at the cross.

[14:59] In John chapter 19. In verse 25. She was a key witness there. And here she is. As a key witness again. At the tomb. She saw it all. At Golgotha. And now she sees it all.

[15:11] In the garden. As well. By the way. Contrary to. Popular myth. And silly novels. There's nothing. In the gospels. At all.

[15:22] To suggest. That Mary was an immoral woman. Or a prostitute. Or anything like that. We do know. From Luke chapter 8. And verses 2 to 4. We do know. That Jesus had freed her.

[15:33] From a terrible affliction. Of many demons. And it seems. That she was actually. A woman of wealth. Among others. And being one of those. Who had helped to support. Financially. Jesus.

[15:44] Itinerant ministry. So thankful. She was. It seems. For her release. That she'd become. A devoted follower. Of Jesus. And a patron.

[15:54] I suppose. Of his ministry. So you can imagine. Can't you. Her utter desolation. And her grief. Because she'd watched. Her master.

[16:04] And her healer. Crucified. She'd seen his clothes. Divided by the soldiers. She'd heard him. Crying out.

[16:15] His last words. In the darkness. She'd watched him. Wrapped in grave. Grave clothes. And laid in the tomb. Perhaps she'd helped. To prepare his body.

[16:25] For burial. And you can surely imagine. Her fear. Because Jesus. Alone. Had had the power.

[16:37] To free her. From these demons. But he was dead. Now. Who would protect her now? Would it mean for Mary.

[16:48] Going back. To that awful. Awful life. That she'd had. Before Jesus. Came into her life. And now. To add to the agony. Even his body was gone.

[16:59] So. She couldn't even feel near. To his corpse. To his grave. To the last bodily remains. Of her liberator. Her Lord. Terrible thing.

[17:12] We sometimes see that agony. Don't we? When somebody dies. Maybe in a plane crash. Or at sea. Or perhaps in war. And there's not even a body. To grieve over.

[17:22] Not even a grave. To lay flowers on. And so. Verse 11 says. Mary stood weeping. Weeping tears. Of sheer grief. And her tears.

[17:37] Her tears. Are the tears. Of an unbeliever. In the face of death. Mary's not here. Is she? With any hope of resurrection. Verse 2.

[17:48] She's. She's. Sure that Jesus' body. Has been stolen. And in verse 9. She. She says. Plainly. Or we're told.

[17:58] Plainly. Aren't we? That she hadn't yet. Nor had the others. Understood. The scriptures. That. That tell them. That Jesus must rise. From the dead. So Mary. Is not expecting. Anything more.

[18:09] Here this morning. Than a dead Jesus. And she assumes. Doesn't she? Just like Thomas. That death is the end. And that's why she's shedding.

[18:21] Such tears. It's tears. At the bitter pain. Of death. As the end. Of human life. Just as people. Weep those tears today.

[18:32] In the face of death. In the misery. Of the graveside. In the gloom. Of the crematorium. Weeping. With no hope. Because like Mary.

[18:43] They've got. No understanding. Of the resurrection hope. That there is. And there isn't Christ. So there's weeping. Sometimes there's wailing.

[18:55] At the inconsolable grief. Of those who grieve. In ignorance. That's what the apostle Paul. Speaks about. In first Thessalonians 4. Those who have no hope. Who have no comfort. In the pain of loss.

[19:06] No solace. When that open grave. Yawns hideously. To receive the coffin. No relief. When. And the empty space.

[19:18] In the bed. Beside you. Feels so cold. So empty. Poor Mary. She's alone. In real misery. In real grief. And yet she's not alone.

[19:31] Is she? In experiencing. That hopelessness. Of grief. So many. Have grieved like this. Do grieve like this. Will grieve like this. With inconsolable sadness.

[19:43] Because they share. Mary's lack of understanding. Of the glorious truth. That actually surrounds her. But which as yet. She's completely ignorant of. And so she's still weeping.

[19:55] At the real pain. Of death. Mary's tears. By the graveside. Well back to John.

[20:07] Chapter 20. Where. John's account. Moves from. Mary's tears. At the graveside. To show us. Mary being taught. By the gardener. And we see her wakening.

[20:20] To the real presence. Of resurrection life. In Jesus himself. Her misunderstanding. Is challenged. And it's changed completely. In the course of these verses.

[20:32] 13 to 17. From groping in the dark. She begins to grapple. With the facts. That start to dawn on her. Through the words of the angel. And then of course. Through the words of Jesus himself.

[20:42] And it's the picture of. Of ignorance. In a faltering seeker. Whose. Whose unbelief. Is beginning to be rebuked.

[20:54] By the incontrovertible. Evidence of resurrection. But. But who hasn't yet. Just grasped. The full significance. Of what it really means. But nevertheless.

[21:05] Into her darkness. Into her grief. Comes real evidence. She cannot deny. And even though. She doesn't properly. Understand it. It's confronting her.

[21:17] You can hardly blame her. Can you. For not understanding it. At first. But look what happens. Verse 12. First of all. She sees the angels. And they gently rebuke her. Woman.

[21:28] Why are you weeping? I suppose. I suppose. Nothing could seem more bizarre. Could it? To angels. Who knew the truth. Than there should be grief. At the empty tomb of Jesus. Who had risen from the dead.

[21:38] And then in verse 14. She sees Jesus. So that she doesn't. Recognize him. And he too rebukes her. Why are you weeping? As if to say.

[21:50] Don't you be an unbeliever. Who are you seeking? After everything I taught you. Were you really looking. For a dead body. Mary.

[22:04] Wouldn't you love to have seen her face. Right at that moment. When Jesus spoke her name. But even then. Verse 17. When no doubt. She's fallen to her knees.

[22:14] And grasped hold of his feet. In a rapture of joy. Again. Notice. Jesus gently rebukes her. Don't cling to me. Like that. He says. You still haven't understood.

[22:28] Things aren't going back. To the way they were before. Something new has happened. Yes. It is me. It is the same Jesus. Jesus. And I have risen. I'm alive. But Mary.

[22:40] You need to understand. But that means. I haven't yet. Gone to my father. He says. But I'm. I'm risen from the tomb. And I am going. I'm on the way. And soon. I will.

[22:51] Arise. To my father. And. Notice verse 17. To your father. Also. And that's. What I want you to go and tell all the others.

[23:03] Not just that I've risen. You know that now. But also what it means. What it means that I've risen. The evidence that you can see right in front of you.

[23:14] It needs to be understood. It needs to be understood according to everything that I've already told you. And. And according to everything that the scriptures. Have always said.

[23:26] That's what makes the evidence of the resurrection into a gospel. That's what makes it good news. And that's what makes what you've witnessed Mary.

[23:37] This morning. That's what makes it the words of eternal life. So you see Mary's grief. Mary's. Unbelieving.

[23:48] Her hopeless grief. It turns to a grappling for understanding. And from her weeping. There comes this wonderful awakening.

[23:59] To reality. As she's guided by what she hears. In Jesus. Own words. And she. And she gets it. She realizes. That what's happening now.

[24:11] Is far more wonderful. Than just having Jesus back alive again. No. She wakens to the reality. That this now. Is the beginning. Of the life.

[24:24] That Jesus was always talking about. The real life. The eternal life. The life. In all its glorious fullness. The life that Jesus. Went to the cross.

[24:35] To prepare. For everyone. Who loves him. And follows him. And that's why Mary does let go of Jesus. That's why she stops clinging to him.

[24:46] Verse 18. And why she goes. To proclaim. The gospel message. The good news. The words. Of eternal life. See Mary's weeping. Has been totally transformed.

[24:59] Through her wakening up. To the real significance. Of the resurrection. In Jesus words. And now to witnessing. To others. Everything.

[25:09] That this. Glorious truth. Promises. To all. Who like her. Will love the Lord. Jesus Christ. Mary's weeping.

[25:22] Transformed. To real witnessing. Well. One more time. Back to John. Chapter 20. And. Wonderfully.

[25:32] This little. Easter morning episode. With Mary. Ends. Not with Mary's tears. Or even. With Mary's teaching. By Jesus. But with Mary's. Telling. Of the gospel.

[25:43] With her witness. To the real promise. Of resurrection life. Through. Jesus Christ. And the message. That Mary carries.

[25:54] Is. Is much more. Than just. The bare words. That you see there. In verse 18. Wonderful as they are. I've seen the Lord. Now. It's the significance.

[26:05] Of the resurrection. It's the explanation. Of this wonderful evidence. That Jesus. Has now made clear to her. See verse 18. Is clear. She told him. All that Jesus. Had said.

[26:15] She said. All. Of these things. That Jesus. Had spoken to her. That is the things. That he tells her. There in verse 17. That I am ascending.

[26:26] To my father. And to your father. To my God. And to your God. And you see. That saying. Is absolutely. Full to bursting.

[26:37] With significance. For Jesus disciples. Because just a few days. Before. In the upper room. Jesus had spoken. To them. And told them. With absolute clarity.

[26:48] What it meant. That he was going. Back to his father. Remember what he said? You turn back. To John 13. The very end. Verse 36.

[26:58] You'll see where it begins. He. He speaks to Peter. And he says to Peter. Where I'm going. You cannot follow me now. But you will follow me. Afterwards. Words. And then in chapter 14.

[27:11] Verse 1. Immediately. He says. Let not your hearts. Be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also. In me. In my father's house. Are many rooms. And if it were not so. Would I have told you.

[27:22] That I. Go. To prepare a place. For you. In verse 6. The famous verse. I am the way.

[27:33] And the truth. And the life. No one comes. To the father. To the father's house. Except through me. And you see.

[27:43] Here. If Jesus is now. Arisen from the dead. If he is. Ascending to the father. Then it means. That everything. That Jesus promised. To his followers.

[27:53] In the upper room. Is now a sure. And certain promise. It's sealed. Forever. By the blood of his cross. And by his bodily. Resurrection. From the tomb.

[28:05] And that promise. Of Jesus resurrection. Which is to all. Who believe. And trust in him. It guarantees. Three wonderful things.

[28:16] First. That we have. Real. Family. That our adoption. Is real. That our home. In the father's house. Has been prepared. For us. Jesus says.

[28:28] He's going to prepare. A place. In the father's house. For all of his followers. He's bringing. His whole family. Home. To God. To his father. And our father.

[28:42] Jesus resurrection. Means. That the way home. To God. Is open. It's assured. For all. Who believe. And trust in him. Jesus resurrection.

[28:53] Means. Adoption. Of sinful. Human beings. Prodigal sons. And daughters. Into. God's. Own family. It's the promise.

[29:03] Of the very first chapter. Of John. Chapter 1. Verse 11. Fulfilled. To all. Who believed. In his name. He gave the right. To become. Children of God.

[29:14] Born of God. Go and tell that. To my disciples. Says Jesus. To my brothers. And sisters. My resurrection. Doesn't mean going back.

[29:25] Just to what we had before. It means going on. To something. Far. Far. More. The very thing. That I came to bring. To this world. No longer.

[29:35] You're just going to be disciples. Your brothers. And sisters. Of mine. Sons. Heirs. Of the same. Heavenly father.

[29:48] That's why. Easter shouts. Hallelujah. It's the declaration. Of the waiting father. From Jesus parable. Seeing. His long lost.

[29:59] Sons and daughters. Come home. It's the command. Bring out the robe. Bring out the rings. Bring out the fatted calf. Of heaven. And let the celebration. Begin. All because.

[30:11] I am ascending. To my father. And your father. And that's. Mary's gospel witness. We have. A real family.

[30:22] A real home. Prepared for us. Now. In the father's house. And because. We have. That adoption. Now. Already. As sons and daughters.

[30:32] Of God. Because we're. Born of God. Into that family. Now. Through his resurrection. resurrection. Then that eternal life. Of heaven. Has begun.

[30:44] Now. In our lives. And so. That's the second thing. That the resurrection. Guarantees for us. We have. A real. Faith. Our new birth.

[30:54] Is real. Through the Holy Spirit. Poured out. On us. Paul says. To the Galatians. Because you are sons. God has sent. The spirit.

[31:05] Of his son. Into our hearts. Crying out. Abba. Father. And that means. The beginning. Of an absolute. Intimacy.

[31:17] Of relationship. With God. Our father. Through the spirit. The Holy Spirit. Of the risen Lord. Jesus himself. Who comes. Because. Jesus. Is risen.

[31:28] And is ascended. To the father. But what Jesus said again. Just a few days before. In the upper room. Chapter 16. Verse 5. Now. I am going to him. Who sent me. And because. I've said these things.

[31:40] Sorrow has filled your hearts. But I tell you. It's to your advantage. That I go away. For if I do not go away. Then the helper.

[31:51] That's the Holy Spirit. Will not come to you. But if I go away. I will send him. To you. And now Jesus says to Mary. I'm going.

[32:04] And I will send him. To all of you. Who love. And trust in me. That's your message Mary. To go and tell to my brothers. And although it will be different.

[32:19] And yes. Your relationship with me. Won't be the same. You won't be able to. To see me soon. You won't be able to touch me anymore. But it will be better. It will be greater. It will be more wonderful.

[32:31] Remember his promise in the upper room. In John 14 verse 23. If anyone. Loves me. My father will love him. And we. Will come to him.

[32:42] And make our home with him. Forever that is. Through the indwelling. Of his own Holy Spirit. In us. You see.

[32:54] When the spirit came. After the Lord Jesus. Ascended to glory. The life. Of the world to come. Broke into this world. And into our lives. Forever. Bringing new birth.

[33:06] The birth from above. That Jesus spoke about. To Nicodemus. Into our human lives. Now. Already. In this world. To make us.

[33:18] Live. Forever. Because I live. Says Jesus. You also will live. That's what he said to them. In the upper room.

[33:28] In John 14 verse 19. And not only that. Do you remember he said. Not just you. That I'm speaking to there. But others also.

[33:40] Who will find. That eternal life. Through your. Testimony. Through your witness. What you are going to take. To the world. And you remember he said. In John 15 verse 26.

[33:51] When the helper comes. When the Holy Spirit comes. The spirit of truth. He will bear witness. About me. And you also. He says to his disciples. You also will bear witness. Because you. Have been with me.

[34:02] From the beginning. So Jesus. Going to his father. Through his death. And resurrection. It means new birth. Into eternal life.

[34:13] For all. All who believed his message. Then. And. For all. Who believe that message. As they have passed it on. As a witness to the truth. So that we.

[34:25] Today. And people. All over the world. Can believe this same message. That leads. To life everlasting. Jesus said. Remember back in John chapter 7.

[34:37] Whoever believes in me. Out of his heart. Will flow rivers. Rivers of living water. Flowing to others.

[34:48] So that they too. Might share. In that life. Jesus resurrection. Means that that river of life. Has been opened to this world.

[35:00] To all who will receive it. Real faith. Born out of a real new birth. Through the Holy Spirit. Poured out from heaven. On all who believe.

[35:13] So the resurrection means. That we have a real family. That we have a real. Living faith. And. Of course. That we have a real future.

[35:25] That we have a hope. That is permanent. Within us. A living hope. As Peter puts it later. Through the resurrection. Of Jesus Christ. From the dead. To an inheritance. That is.

[35:36] Imperishable. Undefiled. Unfading. Kept. In heaven. For you. Who have believed. And trusted him. Jesus resurrection.

[35:47] Isn't just a joy. Of adoption now. Wonderful. As that is. Welcome. Into God's family. Not just a joy. Of new birth. And the Holy Spirit. Living in us.

[35:59] Giving us real faith. In Jesus. Now. Today. Every day of our lives. But also. Above all. It is a sure. And certain hope. Of our.

[36:11] Full. And wonderful. Bodily. Resurrection. To life. Everlasting. With Jesus Christ. When he returns. We have a future. We have a future. We have a future.

[36:23] Beyond the grave. If I go to prepare. A place for you. I. Will. Come. Again. And take you.

[36:35] To myself. So that where I am. You may be also. Go and tell that. To all my brothers. Says Jesus to Mary. That's what it means.

[36:46] That I'm risen. That's what it means. That I'm going to the father. And verse 18. Shows us. Doesn't it? Mary. Once full of tears.

[36:56] At the gravesite. But having been taught. By the gardener. Who in fact. Is. The second Adam. Who is the. The first true man. In the glorious. New Eden.

[37:08] Taught by him. Now she's telling. The gospel. This gospel. Of resurrection. Joy. Her weeping. Waken. By the dawning. Light.

[37:18] Of the glory. Of the risen Lord. And turned. To this wonderful witnessing. Witnessing. To the sheer. Hopelessness. The darkness. The misery of death.

[37:30] Overcome. By the hope. Of glory. Through the resurrection. Of Jesus Christ. From the dead. Friends. There is no. Other message. In this world.

[37:42] That can. Ever. Turn. The horror. Of an open grave. Into the hallelujah. Of an open heaven. But that is the promise.

[37:54] Of the resurrection. Of Jesus Christ. A real family. A real faith. And a real future. Through the power of his cross.

[38:06] There is. For every single person. In this world. Who will believe. And trust in him. Through the power of his cross. There is. The promise of a crown.

[38:18] The crown of life. Go to my brothers. And say to them. I am ascending. To my father. And to your father. To my God. And to your God.

[38:32] Christ is risen. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. And amen.