Witnesses to the Risen Lord (John 20)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
17 April 2022
Jewish law prescribed the need for two or three witnesses before charges could be made against a person (Deut.17:6). Jesus upheld this principle (Matt.18:16).
Eye witnesses are important to corroborate matters. We note the risen Lord was seen by many people who gave testimony to his resurrection.
Jesus did die. This is the biblical record. Our theme today is that of people testifying to seeing the risen Lord Jesus. It is the testimony of eyewitnesses.
I have in my library a book titled “I Saw the Welsh Revival.” It is an eyewitness account of the revival in Wales in 1904. Such accounts give indisputable verification of happenings.
In 1953 the NZ cricket team made test cricket history by scoring the lowest ever test innings score. The team made 26 runs against the MCC (England). Do you believe that? If not, come and speak to me. I was there (along with many other schoolboys). I was an eyewitness.
Jesus not only died but he arose according to eye witnesses.
He appeared to certain women including Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18). They were tender hearted followers and it is noteworthy that Jesus appeared first to gentle child-like people.
He appeared to a group of perplexed fearful disciples and said "Peace to you" (John 20:19).
Thomas the doubting disciple was later present and Jesus appeared before him convincing Thomas he had truly risen (John 20:27).
There were two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They were perplexed. Jesus appeared to them and their heart burned within them as Jesus opened up the scriptures to them (Luke 24:13).
Peter and other fishermen were at the Sea of Tiberius when Jesus appeared to them (John 21:4; 21;14).
He appeared before over 500 brethren at once (1 Cor. 15:6).
Jesus appeared before the apostle John in exile on Patmos (Rev. 1:12-19).
He appeared before Saul of Tarsus the persecutor of the Christian church (Acts 9:4).
All these eye witnesses of the risen Lord give credibility to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ultimately the most powerful witness is the witness of the Holy Spirit who has been given, and is here today to bear testimony to Jesus. Have you received this witness Holy Spirit?
Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Before his own resurrection he raised people from death. He raised Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:21); Lazarus (John 11:1ff.); the widow’s son (Luke 7:11). He alone can raise the dead.
The Holy Spirit testifies to these things in the hearts of believers.
You can trust the testimony of so many people. You can trust the testimony of the Holy Spirit who cannot lie. You can trust the scriptures. Jesus died and rose again according to the scriptures (1 Cor.15:3-5).
If you want life and life in abundance believe in the Lord Jesus who is the resurrection and the life (John 10:10; 11:25,26).