John 20

John 20  •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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This chapter gives us a record of the outstanding feature of Christianity—the resurrection of Christ. Christ's resurrection stands as God's ultimate victory over sin and death, and marks the beginning of a whole new order of things in the ways of God. John states that he "saw" three great things. These things lay the foundation for all our Christian blessings and privileges:
•  The sight of a dying Saviour (chap. 19:35).
•  The sight of an open grave (chap. 20:8).
•  The sight of the living Lord in the midst of His people (chap. 20:20).
In the first sight, John witnessed the blood of atonement being shed—the ground for men to be blessed by God through faith (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
In the second sight, John witnessed God's seal of approval on the finished work of Christ in the Lord's resurrection. He states that "the napkin, that was about His head," was "not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself" (vs. 7). This is significant, and gives us a hint of what was coming in the Dispensation of the Mystery (Christianity). The new vessel of testimony that God would form (the Church), under the figure of the body of Christ, would be marked by a physical separation between the Head and the members of His body, yet they would be intimately connected by the Spirit of God. The Acts and the epistles attest to the fact that Christ the Head would be in heaven while the members of His body would be on earth, during this present Day of Grace (Acts 9:44And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (Acts 9:4); 1 Cor. 12:12-1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13)).
In the third sight, John saw the Lord in the midst of His own in a new meeting place for believers—"the upper room." The temple in Jerusalem was the place appointed by God where all in the Jewish economy were to gather and worship Jehovah (Deut. 12:11; 16:16-1711Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the Lord: (Deuteronomy 12:11)
16Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: 17Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee. (Deuteronomy 16:16‑17)). However, just prior to the Lord's death He "went out" of the temple, indicating that He was breaking His link with that whole order of things in Judaism and that place of worship (Matt. 23:3838Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (Matthew 23:38)–24:1). Thereafter, His presence would not be found there. When the Lord rose from the dead, He made His presence known in an completely new meeting place—"the upper room." This new place of meeting symbolizes the new ground of gathering in Christianity (Luke 22:1212And he shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. (Luke 22:12); Acts 1:13; 9:39; 20:813And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. (Acts 1:13)
39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. (Acts 9:39)
8And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. (Acts 20:8)). Some things that characterized "the upper room" were:
•  The disciples met there on "the first day of the week" (vs. 19a). It is significant that the Lord's resurrection and the Lord's appearing in the midst of His own (on two consecutive first days of the week) indicates that this new departure of God in Christianity was not connected with the commemorative day of the old dispensation—the Sabbath (Ex. 20:8; 31:12-178Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)
12And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 13Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. 14Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. (Exodus 31:12‑17)). It suggests that the Sabbath would not be observed in the new order of Christianity (Col. 2:16-1716Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Colossians 2:16‑17)).
•  They met in the new place of meeting in separation from the Jews and the Jewish order of things that were opposed to Christian principles and practise—"the doors were shut" to them (vs. 19b; Heb. 13:1010We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. (Hebrews 13:10)). Hence, it was "outside the camp" of Judaism in position, principle, and practise (Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13)).
•  The Lord made His presence known "in the midst" of them (vs. 19c; Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)).
•  "Peace" and gladness (encouragement) were enjoyed by those there (vss. 19-21).
•  The presence of the "Holy Spirit" was known in a distinct way (vs. 22; Phil. 3:33For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3)).
•  The Lord commissioned the disciples with power to "remit" and "retain" sins administratively (vs. 23; Matt.18:18-19; 1 Cor. 5:44In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 5:4)).
These things characterize Christianity. Hence, this chapter gives us another transition—from the temple to the upper room.
Mary was the first to see the Lord in resurrection (vss. 11-18). However, she was not to "touch" Him in that state, for He was "not yet ascended" to His Father (vs. 17). This signified that while the disciples had "known Christ after the flesh" as the Messiah of Israel, they were "henceforth" not to "know Him" in that way (2 Cor. 5:1616Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (2 Corinthians 5:16)). They were to know Him in an entirely new way— as Head of the "new creation" race (Rom. 8:2929For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29); Gal. 6:1515For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (Galatians 6:15); 2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17); Rev. 3:1414And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (Revelation 3:14))—in the new place of meeting. Their new Christian connections with God the Father in Christ risen are indicated by His statement to Mary, "I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God" (vs. 17). Those of the old dispensation did not know God as their Father in this way.