What is John 20:11-31 specifically about? In John chapter 20:11-31 John has moved on from talking about the resurrection of Jesus (20:1-10). He is now talking about the appearing of the resurrected Lord. The lesson for us from John 20:11-31 is clear. People Who See The Risen Lord Shall Be Transformed. Today, we do not see Jesus visibly but with inner perception. Jesus taught that those who do not see him visibly yet believe are blessed. How blessed you are if you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Consider now the three parties who saw the risen Lord and were transformed. They are Mary Magdalene, the disciples and Thomas. Their transformations are typical of all persons throughout the ages who have experienced Jesus and have been changed.

Consider Mary Magdalene. She stood outside the tomb weeping (v.11). Can we understand her state of mind? She was bewildered and downcast. But the risen Lord appeared to her and she was transformed. From bewilderment and sadness she is changed into a confident and convinced disciple. And all because Jesus appeared to her. She went and told the disciples “she had seen the Lord” (v.18). The statement that she had seen the Lord is significant. The risen Lord appeared and was seen by many people. The resurrection is not an hoax. It was witnessed by trustworthy people.

Today we do not see Jesus as Mary Magdalene saw him. We see with spiritual eyes as we read the Scriptures and as we see him we are transformed.

Next, consider the disciples. They were gathered together (v.19). They were fearful of the Jews and were confused and depressed by the turn of events. Suddenly Jesus came and stood in the midst of them and said “Peace be with you” (v.19).

The risen Lord showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were glad. They, like Mary Magdalene had seen the risen Lord (v.20, 25). Like Mary Magdalene they were now changed people. From confusion, fear and discouragement they were now joyous. The risen Lord brings people out of despair. The Chinese evangelist John Sung was put into a mental asylum. He spoke of a “moment of despair” when he contemplated suicide. But then he saw from the Bible the risen Lord Jesus. John Sung became a transformed person. He saw Jesus and was completely changed. He became arguably China’s greatest evangelist under whose ministry a quarter of a million people were converted.

Consider now Thomas. He was not with the other disciples when the risen Lord appeared to them. But now he is assembled with them. His fellow disciples told him they had seen the Lord (v.25) but he expressed his doubts and unbelief (v.25). Suddenly Jesus appeared to them all. He challenged Thomas to touch him and to see for himself the wounds he had suffered on the cross. Thomas breaks down and all he can say is “My Lord and my God” (v.28). Thomas is no longer an unbeliever. He is humbled. He now believes in the risen Jesus. Like Mary Magdalene and the other disciples, Thomas has now seen the risen Lord and believed. Jesus said of him “Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed ..” (v.29). All Thomas’ doubts and unbelief dissipated when he saw the risen Lord.

You too will be changed if you see the risen Lord. You may initially be a doubter but when you experience Jesus you will be transformed. Hudson Taylor returned to England from China to recover from illness. He had plans to go again to China to reach the interior of that land with the gospel but he had doubts whether it could be done. In 1865 whilst walking along Brighton Beach Hudson Taylor saw Jesus with spiritual eyes and his faith was renewed. He wrote “The Lord conquered my unbelief.” Just as the Lord conquered the unbelief of Thomas and Hudson Taylor, so he can conquer your unbelief.

From John 20:11-31 we learn that people who see the risen Lord will be transformed. The Bible characters saw the risen Lord and were transformed. Look to Jesus now. See his wounds. See why he had to die. See him with spiritual perception. You will be transformed. Blessed are those who believe.

(Summary of sermon delivered by Pastor David Yan)