WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?    John 20:1-20

With Christ being taken down from the cross, there were no doubt a lot of questions going through the minds of those who loved Him.

Each went to their homes for Passover. It was a holy time for all of Israel, but that did not stop questions from being thought or asked.

What do we do?  How could this happen? Why didn't He defend Himself?  Where do we go from here?

WOMEN STAYED  Waited for the time for them to go to the tomb to prepare the body for proper burial. They knew what they had to do including rolling away the huge stone, although they were not sure just how they would do it.

But one thing was sure: These were women of faith.

Mary Magdalene had already felt His power when Jesus cast out seven demons. (Mark 16:9)

The other women had been supportive of His ministry.

Sometimes abiding is just what God wants us to do.

Application:  Where do I go from here? There are times when we know what we need to do, but we just don't know how we are going to do it. If God places a burden on our hearts, He has a way for us to get it done. Sometimes, it is just on a need-to-know basis. Sometimes it is a matter of waiting, abiding.

DISCIPLIES WERE AFRAID  The disciples were in hiding for fear they would be next. The shoddy way the trials were held no doubt put fear in their hearts. (John 20:19)

Application: Where do I go from here? There are times when we are afraid. We these times come, it is all the more reason to trust in God.

PS 56:4  In God I have put my trust; I will not fear.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS DELIGHTED They got what they wanted. Jesus of Nazareth was dead, dead, dead, and they could not have been happier. Undoubtedly, Satan was sure he had stopped God's plan. The tomb was sealed, guarded, and secured.

As far as he was concerned, nothing was going in, and no one was coming out.

Application: Where do I go from here?  Did you ever have someone gloat over your predicament? Satan loves it when we are miserable.

How do we respond when the ungodly seem to flourish?

David wrestled with the same problem. He learned that God would ultimately take care of him and chastise the ungodly.

CROWD QUIETED Less than a week earlier, the crowd was jubilant as they cheered, “Hosanna! Save us now!” as Jesus entered the Eastern Gate of Jerusalem.

Four days later, many from the same crowd now shouted, “CRUCIFY!”

Now, with Jesus dead, buried, and Passover happening, it became eerily quiet in Jerusalem.

And at the tomb, there were only the sounds of the soldiers making their rounds. It was the lull before the revelation of resurrection.

Application: Where do I go from here? Sometimes quietness can be deafening and scary. The fear of the unknown.

THE LORD WAS SIGHTED

Mary and the other women found the empty tomb attended by an angel.

The greatest message of all time was given

"He is not here. He is risen."

To Mary Magdalene

On Emmaus road 9John 20:11-18)

Peter in Jerusalem (Luke 24:34)

Disciples in upper room (John 20:19-31)

Seven disciples in boat (John 21:1-23)

Eleven disciples (Matt. 28:16-20)

500 believers (1 Cor. 15:56)

To James (1 Cor. 15:57)

To disciples  (Acts 1:3-8)

Application:  God always has a witness here. In this case, there were hundreds who saw the risen Lord.

So where do we go from here?  

As with Mary, we go and tell, but for us, it should be show and tell.

As with the disciples, we trust and obey.

As with those touched by the Word of the disciples, we follow Christ’s example.

As with all in God’s kingdom, we keep going

The resurrection means life, not death.

Hope, not despair.