In this episode of the International Gospel Hour, we delve into the poignant question posed by Jesus, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ Through a close examination of John 20, we follow the journey of Mary Magdalene as she navigates the depths of despair and the discovery of hope. Together, we explore how her quest mirrors our own spiritual searches and challenges us to seek Jesus in our daily lives.
In a time of weeping and uncertainty, the question, Whom are you seeking? will grant us the answers needed. Let’s see how today from the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 03 :
Well, thank you always to our J-Web for his kind words. And greetings and hello, everyone. It’s always good having you, our listener, our fellow student, here on our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. Very quickly, let me give you some contact information. We try to mention this from time to time. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. Again, our mailing address is P.O. Box 118, Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. Our website is internationalgospelhour.com. That’s internationalgospelhour.com. You can go there and you can send us a message if you like, but please take time and peruse our website. Our toll-free number available 24-7, 855-IGH-6988, or… 855-444-6988. That is our toll-free number. Many of you use that number to call in, leave us a message. As a matter of fact, if you wouldn’t mind, give us a call at 855-444-6988 and just say, Hi, I’m listening to your broadcast from Albany, New York. Or, I’m listening to your broadcast from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Or, Dallas, Texas. or Indianapolis, Indiana, just a few of the cities that people are able to listen to our broadcast, and we thank you, each and every one of you. Our study today comes from John the 20th chapter. I am going to read the first 18 verses, then we’re going to hear a few words from our J-Web about our work here at International Gospel Hour, and then we’re going to consider our question of the day, Whom are you seeking? From John 20, beginning with verse 1, Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and said to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. Peter therefore went out and the other disciple and were going to the tomb, so they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb, and he saw the linen cloths lying there. and a handkerchief that had been around his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. Then the other disciple who came to the tomb first went in also, and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the scripture that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes. But Mary. But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him. Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking? She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him, Rabboni, which is to say, Teacher. Jesus said to her, Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father. But go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her. May the Lord always bless us with the reading, the hearing, and the application of His Word. And our discussion will continue in a little over 30 seconds.
SPEAKER 02 :
Since 1934, the International Gospel Hour has been heard over the radio. We are one of the longest running weekly religious programs in the history of American radio. We are very blessed to continue over the air through gracious giving of congregations of Churches of Christ, faithful Christians, and devoted friends. That’s why you will never hear us asking for money from you, our listeners. Our study material is free, always has been, always will be. We appreciate you listening.
SPEAKER 03 :
Dear friends, the question Jesus asked Mary, whom are you seeking? Let’s think about that today. First of all, Mary sought Jesus. And, you know, considering her intentions in coming to the tomb, as we read in John 20 and verse 1, there was no dishonoring in her coming. She came to care and to respect Jesus and to honor the body of Christ, as we noted here in John 20. In Mark’s account, in Mark 16 and verse 1, it says, Now when the Sabbath was passed, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices. that they might come and anoint him. And that’s also affirmed in Matthew 28 and verse 1. They were also at the tomb three days before. In Matthew 27 and verse 61, Mary Magdalene was there and the other Mary sitting opposite the tomb. And in Mark 15 and verse 47, And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph observed where he was laid. Of course, when she ran and came to Simon Peter, she said in John 20 and verse 2, They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him. So there were more than Mary that was at the tomb, but yet they didn’t know. But we focus more on Mary Magdalene. Now let’s consider her past. You know, Jesus was her teacher and friend, and look at what he had given to her and helped her. We learn of Mary Magdalene in Luke 8 and verse 2, among certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, and Mary Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons. Not only at the tomb of Jesus, but we also note from Matthew 27, verse 56, Mark 15, 40, and John 19, 25, that she was at the cross of Jesus as well. So we see her past. We see her present at the tomb. But let’s consider her future. Mary found her Lord, as we noted in the text. She stood outside the tomb weeping, and as she wept, she stooped down and looked into the tomb, as we noted in verse 11. Then Mary told others, specifically the apostles. In Luke 24 and verse 10, it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. And in John’s account, again, in John 20 and verse 18, Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord and that He had spoken these things to her. My, just think about all the emotion that went through that sweet lady. You know, friends, let’s do some application here. You know, like Mary, we all seek Jesus. We’re looking for Jesus. Many feel an emptiness in their lives and try to fill that void with foolish things and walk in foolish ways. And you know, friends, when I look at my past and I consider my future, Allow my intention to must be one to come near the cross and also embrace and be thankful for that empty tomb. Friend, are you seeking the Lord? You know, you will find Him and He will speak to you through His Word. His Word that according to John 6, 66-69, His words, they are spirit and they are life. Words that will judge us in the last day, John 12, verse 48 and following. The words of Jesus. You know, He tells us the importance of hearing Him and understanding Him. John 15, or rather Matthew 15 and verse 10. How that we’re commanded to believe on Him according to John 8 and verse 24 and John 3 and verse 16. To know that without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. To believe in God means that I must come to Him. I want to do more. And the words of Jesus tells us the command of repentance in Luke 13, 3 and 5. The command of confession in Matthew 10, 32. And yes, friend, the command of baptism in order to be saved based upon our faith in Mark 16 and verse 16. We seek Jesus and He can be found. And like Mary, may our first impulse be to cling to Jesus. He gives us one hope. He gives us one purpose. Whom are you seeking? Friends, let us help you in your seeking of the Christ. Let’s spend a few moments with a very special online study that we think you’ll find of great interest. And here is our J-Web.
SPEAKER 02 :
Let’s go back to the Bible, shall we? On International Gospel Hour, we always desire to go back to the Bible for our studies, and now we are delighted to offer a special video series through our friends at World Video Bible School. It’s called Back to the Bible with our friend Rob Whitaker. A simple yet thorough study that deals with authority in religion, the church, and your salvation. It’s free, friends. Call us at 855-444-6988. Tell us your email address, say back to the Bible, and we will send the link to you. It’s that easy. You can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the contact tab, leave us your email, type back to the Bible in the message box, and we will send the link right away. We look forward to hearing from you.
SPEAKER 03 :
Friends, today our study is from a series that I title, A Sermon I Heard. There are sermons that I hear in my travels with International Gospel Hour, and this lesson was originally titled, Who Do You Seek? And I’m grateful for my good young brother and fellow servant, Matthew Higginbotham, of the Dayton, Tennessee Church of Christ, for this lesson today, simply a sermon I heard. A lot of times I speak about International Gospel Hour during the Bible Study Hour, or I will visit somewhere and will hear lessons and love to share them with you here on the broadcast. Again, our mailing address is P.O. Box 118 Fayetteville, Tennessee 37334. Our toll free number 855-444-6988. And let’s continue our studies together at another time, shall we? Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 01 :
God be with you till we meet again.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com.
