Alive | John 20:1-18
Sermon Discusstion John 20:1-18
Paul points out that Mary is ready to do the work of final prep of Jesus' body - to bury him in the "right way". When she arrived the stone had been rolled away, The grace of God had already done the work, the Spirit had already restored the body. When we go to do the things (in our homes/work etc) God has called us to do, Paul reminds us that God has already done the greatest work in whatever situation he puts us in. God is going to use us to further his kingdom, but the work doesn't depend on us. Does this truth bring freedom? If you get to bring the good news of the resurrection - how do you do that in your ordinary day to day? How is God's work in you good news to those around you?
The grace of God is how we see and believe.
Peter and John arrive at the tomb and find the linens folded, but no Jesus. We zero in on verse 8 - John saw and believed. Jesus really did rise from the dead. John's life will forever be changed by this moment - Paul comments that John wants us to see and believe; that is the good news. What did you need to see from God to believe? What do those around you need to see? God provides the sight for you (and others) to see - it is a gift! This is why Jesus came, to restore sight to the blind. Why is it such a challenge for us to see who Jesus is?
In verses 11-15, we see Mary crying, confused and looking for Jesus. Even though he's literally right there, she doesn't recognize him. Paul explained this as change blindness, once you make a decision in your mind that something is the way that it is or you've been told over and over something is a certain way; your mind creates a category for it. Paul went on to say that we may experience something similar if we have been told something about God or Jesus, if there is a picture or story that we believe about him that may keep us from actually recognizing him. Has this happened to you? In the past year, has God shown you something new about him?...or corrected an idea that you've had about him? Have you considered that you're an agent of the Kingdom and you get to show people a better image of God?
John is giving us an image of Jesus as a gardener, I believe he wants you to think and remember another story about a garden and a woman - the garden of Eden. Discuss how these two instances are similar, how are they different? Can you see restoration? Paul goes on to describe the kingdom of God as a flourishing garden and your life as something God wants to cultivate. What does it mean to cultivate something? Have you ever considered your life as being cultivated by God? Is this a new way for you to think about who God is and what He is trying to work in the world? Have you ever experienced "pruning"?...if so, please share your experience. How did pruning lead to new life?
The grace of God calls you by name.
(v15-18) Jesus speaks her name, Mary, and she responds, calling his name and embraces him. He then tells her, don't cling to me (don't stay here) but go and tell my brothers. It is better for her to go and proclaim the good news! Jesus knows her heartache, knows her confusion and he meets her right where she is. He knows and sees her, just as he knows and sees YOU! God comes to us. We can easily read a text like this and think it's not *really* true for us...is that you?...Do you believe God sees you? Can you recognize him?