"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance." (John 20:1closeJohn 20:1 The Resurrection 20:1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (ESV) closeJohn 20:1closeJohn 20:1 The Resurrection 20:1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (ESV) The Resurrection 20:1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. (ESV) )
“… the first day of the week…” was a work day.
-The church was not born into a “churched culture”
-Sunday worship was on a regular work day, this was not the “weekend”
“Early on the first day of the week…”
-Mary’s love for her Lord made her rise early in the morning “…while it was still dark…”
-How close to the top of our daily priorities is time with Jesus?
-Do you think Mary got a full night of sleep?
“… while it was still dark…”
-It is in the darkest hour of the night that a single star shines the brightest
-What darkness are you facing in your life?
-Are you coming to Jesus with your difficulty?
-What fears keep you from seeking Him in the darkness?
-Where is the darkness in your community?
-How will you bring the Gospel into this darkness?
-Christians don’t wait for the sun to rise, before bringing the light
-We bring the light into the darkness
“… Mary Magdalene went to the tomb…”
-Do you also doubt that Jesus rose from the dead?
-Do you think you will find our living Lord among the deadness of sin?
-The world proclaimed Jesus to be of no value & impotent; they put Him in a hole.
-If we are not careful, we like Mary will also perceive Him to be impotent.
-Mary was not alone, her BFF’s (best friends forever) also doubted Jesus.
-Do your best friends believe that Jesus rose from the dead?
-When Mary and her girlfriends went to the tomb they drug over 40 lbs of spice w/them
-This was an unnecessary labor; Jesus was raised from the dead.
-Jesus resurrection was our victory over the requirements of the Law.
-What “good works” are you unnecessarily doing “for God”?
-When we take “death” and give it to God; He turns it into life
-But when we Pray we must not doubt and be double minded.
-How do we help fellow Church members who love Jesus but doubt His power?
“… and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.”
-Mary saw the evidence of God’s miracle, but still didn’t believe what she saw
-People today see the evidence of God’s miracle on Easter; but also doubt
-Sometimes we think that if we remove the “stones” in people’s lives that they will be better
-But moving stones doesn’t bring the change for Mary
-It is when Mary hears Jesus call her name that He is alive to her
-Jesus showed Himself to Mary the second time that she came
-How do we share Jesus with those who have already “tried Church”?
