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Today, we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ victory over sin and death. The first witnesses, such as Mary Magdalene and the disciples, were initially fearful and confused but ultimately transformed by their encounters with the risen Christ. Their testimonies were crucial in spreading the gospel, and we are called to follow their example by living boldly as resurrection witnesses, sharing our stories and reflecting the reality of Jesus’ power.
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The First Witnesses of the Resurrection
Main Idea
The resurrection is more than history—it’s a life-changing reality that makes us bold witnesses.
Today is Resurrection Sunday, the day Jesus conquered the grave and rose victorious over the power of sin and death. Amen! Last week, we discussed the road through the Old Testament that led to the cross. All of the prophecies pointed to the identity of the Messiah and to what He would accomplish. In Jesus, each and every one of these prophecies was fulfilled, and eternally confirmed when He uttered the three most important words in all of scripture… “It is finished.” At that moment, the redemption of His people was complete, and the power of the completion of His mission as the Lamb of God impacted creation itself. While Jesus was fulfilling Isaiah 53, the land was covered in darkness and when He bowed His head and gave up His spirit, there was a massive earthquake and the veil of the Temple in Jerusalem was torn in two, signifying that the way to God’s presence was no longer limited to a human mediator who could enter there once a year. Now, all who come to the Father through Jesus’ sacrifice… through our new High Priest… come to His throne with the confidence of a son or daughter!
As we begin today, I want you to reflect on the moment of your salvation. Ask yourself these three questions:
1. What were you told?
2. What did you discover about Jesus?
3. What impact did it have on you?
Passage
Luke 24:48 CSB
48 You are witnesses of these things.
I. The First Witnesses: Their Experience and Transformation
Today, I want to walk through the story of the resurrection from the perspective of the first eyewitnesses. Who were among the first to see the risen Christ? What state were they in before they encountered Him, and how were they changed afterward? Let’s journey together now by exploring three groups of people:
1. Mary Magdalene and the other women.
2. Peter, John, and the other disciples
3. The two men on the Emmaus road.
Today is not about a deep dive into the meaning of these scriptures. Today, we are observers- onlookers to human reactions to the most significant event in human history- so we can apply what we learn to our own lives.
We will hop, skip, and jump through the gospels to get the full picture of these accounts, starting with Mary Magdalene and the other women.
A. Mary Magdalene and the Women at the Tomb
Luke 24:1–10 CSB
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground. “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’8 And they remembered his words. 9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things.
John 20:14–18 CSB
14 Having said this, she (Mary M.) turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know it was Jesus. 15 “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it that you’re seeking?” Supposing he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve carried him away, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!”—which means “Teacher.” 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus told her, “since I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what he had said to her.
Mark 16:8 CSB
8 They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.
Matthew 28:5–9 CSB
5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.” 8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
• The cultural significance of the women as the first witnesses.
• The initial encounter: confusion, fear, terror, and sorrow.
• Their reaction: astonishment (Rabboni!), joy, urgency, boldness in sharing the good news with the apostles, clinging to Him, and worshiping Him.
Application: Responding Like the Women at the Tomb
- Feel afraid, confused, or unworthy?
- You’re not alone—these were the same emotions the women felt when they first encountered the risen Christ.
- Jesus welcomes your fears, your doubts, and your questions.
- Bring it all to Jesus.
- Don’t hide your confusion—bring it honestly to Him.
- He meets us in our fear and brokenness, not after we have it all together.
- Let Jesus transform your uncertainty.
- He turns fear into confidence.
- He transforms confusion into joy.
- Fearful of witnessing?
- Maybe you get sweaty palms just thinking about sharing your faith.
- Maybe you feel too unqualified or unworthy to speak about Jesus.
- Remember this:
- Jesus uses unlikely, imperfect people—just like the women at the tomb—to carry His message.
- Let the overwhelming joy of knowing Christ eclipse your fear.
- Let your transformation in Christ become your living testimony.
B. The Disciples: From Doubt to Boldness
John 20:1–10 CSB
1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!” 3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. 9 For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.
John 20:19 CSB
19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
John 20:24–29 CSB
24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” 28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
John 21:2–7 CSB
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called “Twin”), Nathanael from Cana of Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them. “We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. 5 “Friends,” Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?” “No,” they answered. 6 “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” he told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did, and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. 7 The disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer clothing around him (for he had taken it off) and plunged into the sea.
• The initial encounter: fear (locked themselves indoors), lack of discernment (didn’t understand the scriptures), skepticism (Thomas), intrigue/excitement (racing to the tomb).
• Their reaction: belief and realization of the truth of scripture, worship (“My Lord and my God!”), reckless abandon to Jesus (plunging into the sea, leaving the old way of life behind).
• The men seem to be a bit more stubborn and hard-headed than the women.
Application: From Doubt to Devotion
- Doubt isn’t failure—it’s part of the journey.
- The disciples’ initial skepticism, mainly Thomas, was real and raw.
- Many who take Jesus seriously wrestle with doubt at first.
- Others may doubt during trials and difficult seasons of life.
- Don’t be discouraged—yours or someone else’s questions aren’t roadblocks, they’re invitations.
- Jesus is patient with seekers.
- He doesn’t shun the doubting heart—He reveals Himself to it.
- Whether the process is short or long, what matters most is arriving at the declaration: “My Lord and my God!”
- Make it personal.
- Ask Jesus to show you where unbelief or fear still lingers in your heart.
- Invite Him to replace those spaces with faith and boldness.
- Let truth shape your pursuit.
- As you grow in knowing Jesus, let His truth transform every part of your life.
- Like Peter, be willing to leave behind anything—profession, safety, reputation—if it means gaining Christ.
- Pursue Him with everything you have.
C. The Emmaus Road: Recognizing Jesus in the Breaking of Bread
Luke 24:30–35 CSB
30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 who said, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
• The initial encounter: being oblivious to who Jesus is, being drawn in and intrigued by His wisdom, compelled to spend more time with Him.
• Their reaction: recognition of the Lord during table fellowship, burning hearts, immediate action, and excited witness.
Application: Recognizing Jesus on the Journey
- You may not see Him right away.
- Like the men on the road to Emmaus, we often recognize Jesus only in hindsight.
- Stay open to His presence—even in the ordinary and unnoticed moments.
- Look for Him in community.
- Jesus revealed Himself as they walked together.
- Don’t walk alone—faith deepens in fellowship.
- Pay attention to the ‘burning heart’ moments.
- When your heart “burns” with conviction, longing, or curiosity—lean in.
- These are sacred invitations to deeper intimacy with Jesus.
- Follow the fire.
- Let that holy stirring draw you into His Word.
- Explore His truths with fresh hunger—He still speaks through the Scriptures.
II. The Impact of Their Testimony
A. Transformation of the Witnesses
The pattern of radical change upon recognizing the Resurrected Jesus:
- from fear to boldness; sorrow to joy
- from hiding to public proclamation
- from ignorance and confusion to urgent proclamation
Because of their bold witness, many faced persecution and martyrdom, being utterly convinced and changed by what they had witnessed.
B. The Spread of the Gospel
• The ripple effect: from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
• The enduring power of their eyewitness testimony was vital to the growth of the early church.
• The resurrection message: repentance and forgiveness proclaimed to all, beginning in Jerusalem.
• The witnesses’ responsibility to share this good news in and beyond their own community.
Application:
When you see Jesus for who He is- clothed in power and wielding all authority in heaven and on earth- it changes you. Allow the reality of the resurrection to transform your fears into boldness. Ask God for courage to share your faith, even when it’s difficult, and to believe it for yourself, even in your most trying times.
Reflect on how Jesus has transformed your life—allow this to serve as the foundation of your witness to others.
III. Today: Living as Resurrection Witnesses
• “You are witnesses of these things.”
• Witnessing is not just seeing but telling and living out the truth.
• The call extends to all believers: to testify to the reality and power of the resurrection.
Final Application: Live as a Resurrection Witness
- Return to your first love.
- Reignite your passion by remembering how Jesus first transformed you.
- Don’t let the world dull your devotion—come back to wholehearted surrender.
- Live a life that points to Jesus.
- Let your words, actions, and story reflect the reality of the risen Christ.
- Your witness doesn’t require perfection—just authenticity.
- Pray for a passion that burns like fire.
- Ask Jesus to renew your joy, your purpose, and that “burning heart” as you walk with Him daily.
- Share your story boldly.
- Your testimony matters—God can use it to ripple into the lives of others.
- Be open about your journey, questions, and the ways Christ keeps revealing Himself.
Challenge: How will you bear witness to the resurrection in your life, words, and actions?
Questions to Consider
Who in your life needs to hear your testimony of how Jesus has transformed you? How can you share it with authenticity and joy? The First Witnesses of the Resurrection
FAQs
1. What was the significance of the women being the first witnesses to the resurrection?
The women were the first witnesses to the resurrection because they were the first to encounter the risen Christ. Their testimony was crucial as it confirmed the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecies and provided initial evidence of His resurrection. This highlights the importance of women in biblical narratives and their role in spreading the gospel message.
2. How did the first witnesses react to encountering the risen Christ?
The first witnesses, including Mary Magdalene and the other women, initially reacted with fear and confusion. However, as they encountered Jesus, they transitioned from fear to joy and urgency. They were instructed to share the news with the disciples, which they did with boldness and enthusiasm. This transformation from fear to boldness is a significant application of the resurrection’s impact on their lives.
3. What was the state of the disciples before they encountered the risen Christ?
The disciples were in a state of fear and skepticism before encountering the risen Christ. They were locked indoors out of fear of the Jews and lacked discernment about the Scriptures. Thomas, in particular, was skeptical and required a personal encounter with Jesus to believe.
4. How did the disciples’ encounter with the risen Christ change them?
The disciples’ encounter with the risen Christ led to a transformation from doubt to devotion. They transitioned from hiding in fear to public proclamation of the resurrection. Thomas, after seeing Jesus, declared, “My Lord and my God!” This declaration marked a significant shift from skepticism to belief and devotion.
5. What is the significance of the Emmaus Road encounter in recognizing Jesus?
The Emmaus Road encounter is significant because it illustrates how Jesus can be recognized in ordinary moments through His wisdom and presence. The two men on the road were oblivious to who Jesus was but were drawn in by His teachings. It was during table fellowship that they recognized Him, and this recognition led to immediate action and excited witness.
6. How did the first witnesses’ testimony impact the spread of the gospel?
The first witnesses’ testimony had a profound impact on the spread of the gospel. Their eyewitness accounts of the resurrection were crucial in spreading the message from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. This testimony led to repentance and forgiveness being proclaimed to all, marking the beginning of the early church’s growth.
7. What is the call to believers to live as resurrection witnesses?
The call to believers is to live as resurrection witnesses by testifying to the reality and power of the resurrection. This involves returning to their first love, living a life that points to Jesus, and sharing their story boldly. Believers are encouraged to pray for a passion that burns like fire and to be open about their journey with Jesus.
8. How can one bear witness to the resurrection in their daily life?
One can bear witness to the resurrection by living a life that reflects the reality of the risen Christ. This involves sharing their story with authenticity and joy, pointing others to the living Christ, and being open about their journey with Jesus. It also means recognizing Jesus at work in their life, even in ordinary moments, and following the “burning heart” moments that draw them into deeper intimacy with Him.