Voice Recognition
March 27, 2005 - John 20:1-18
Open It
About what sort of news would you get excited right now?
How has someone recently surprised you with what he or she did or said?
What is the most exciting news you've heard this week?
Explore It
What did Mary Magdalene discover when she went to Jesus' tomb? (20:1)
What did Mary Magdalene tell Peter? When? (20:2)
How did Peter respond to what Mary told him? (20:3)
What did John discover when he arrived at the tomb? (20:4-5)
What did Peter discover when he arrived at the tomb? (20:6-7)
How did John respond to what he found in the tomb? (20:8)
What did Mary see where Jesus' body had been? (20:12)
What did the angels ask Mary? (20:13)
How did Mary answer the angels' question? (20:13)
Who tried to comfort Mary? (20:14-15)
What question did Jesus ask Mary? (20:15)
How did Mary respond to Jesus' question? (20:15)
What happened when Mary realized who was talking to her? (20:16)
Why did Jesus tell Mary not to hold on to Him? (20:17)
Get It
If you had been Mary what thoughts would have run through your mind when you discovered the empty tomb?
How would you respond if you met someone you had presumed to be dead?
What would you do if you saw an angel?
How do you think Mary felt when she realized she was talking to Jesus?
When is it tempting to hold on to something good rather than share it with others?
If you had been one of the disciples who had heard Mary's exciting news, how do you think you would have reacted?
Apply It
What truths of the gospel do you want to investigate more closely over the next few weeks? How can you?
How can you celebrate the resurrection of Christ next Easter?
How can you celebrate your relationship with the living Christ this week?
Notes
John 20:1: Other women came to the tomb along with Mary Magdalene. The other Gospel accounts give their names. The stone was not rolled away from the entrance to the tomb so Jesus could get out. He could have left easily without moving the stone. It was rolled away so others could get in and see that Jesus was gone. People who hear about the resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story. Like Mary and the disciples, they may pass through four stages of belief.
(1) At first, they may think the story is a fabrication, impossible to believe (John 20:2).
(2) Like Peter, they may check out the facts and still be puzzled about what happened (John 20:6).
(3) Only when they encounter Jesus personally are they able to accept the fact of the resurrection (John 20:16).
(4) Then, as they commit themselves to the risen Lord and devote their lives to serving him, they begin to understand fully the reality of his presence with them (John 20:28).
John 20:17: Mary did not want to lose Jesus again. She had not yet understood the resurrection. But Jesus did not want to be detained at the tomb. If he did not ascend to heaven, the Holy Spirit could not come. Both he and Mary had important work to do.
John 20:18: Mary didn't recognize Jesus at first. Her grief had blinded her; she couldn't see him because she didn't expect to see him. Then he spoke her name, and immediately she recognized him. Imagine the love that flooded her heart when she heard her Savior saying her name. Jesus is near you, and he is calling your name. Can you, like Mary, regard him as your Lord?