1. Who came first to the tomb? According to verse one, Mary Magdalene came early on the first day of the week. She glanced at the stone rolled away and was the first to notice that something had happened.
2. Who was the "other disciple" who came to the tomb with Peter? In his later years, John was so humble that he would not even mention his own name in his Gospel. He referred to himself as the other disciple.
3. What is the difference between John's and Peter's reaction to the resurrection? John, being younger arrived at the tomb ahead of Peter. He was probably nervous about entering, so he stood outside. Peter, being probably ten to fifteen years older, got there after John, but he rushed right in. John was fearful because youth often brings reluctance. Peter was bolder. When Peter entered, he saw that the grave area and realized that it had been tampered with. When John entered, he saw and immediately understood and believed that Jesus had arisen. The experience was more real and more spiritual for John.
4. What made John believe in the physical resurrection? He saw and understood what had happened.
5. Who did Mary see in the tomb? She saw two angels, possibly Michael and Gabriel, then she saw Jesus.
6. Who did Mary mistake as the gardener? Mary thought that Jesus was the gardener. This could have been because Jesus' appearance might have been marred, because she was not expecting to see Him, or because she had been blinded spiritually. She recognized Him when He said her name.
7. Explain the phrase "Touch me not." Jesus told Mary to not touch Him. This was probably to symbolize the new spiritual type relationship that Jesus would have with her and others.
8. When did Christ meet with the ten disciples? The eleven disciples? He met with the ten disciples on the evening of the first day of His resurrection. Thomas was not at that first meeting. In Mark 16:14, He met with the eleven while they were eating. This might have been a week or more after He had arisen.
9. Explain the phrase "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (v. 22). Jesus was not giving them the indwelling of the Holy Spirit because the Spirit did not come until Pentecost. This also was not the birth of the New Testament church because that also began on Pentecost. Jesus knew that the disciples would need immediate help, so He was giving them a type of Old Testament filling so that they could get through the next few days.
10. What does the word "Didymus" mean? This word means twin and probably refers to Thomas as a spiritual twin, plus the dual nature of his spirituality.
11. Give the steps in the pathology of faith. First is vain faith, when one believes in wrong doctrine. Second is dead faith which is faith in orthodox doctrine but not faith in Christ. These first two are forms of non-saving faith. Saving faith is, first, unbelief which accepts Him but does not accept His works. Second, is little faith where faith and unbelief are mixed. Third is weak faith that is having a legalistic expression of faith. Fourth is strong faith with is having faith in the promises of God.
12. Contrast the types of faith. John saw, examined, understood, and believed. Mary saw but did not recognize, heard Jesus say her name, knew, and believed. Before she knew Who He was, she offered to care for Jesus' dead body. Thomas saw and was able to believe without having to examine.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Index to Selected Essays And Book Reviews
Lesson 23 - Christ - The Great Shepherd, Part I
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