Worship Preparation Guide for
Sunday, April 19
This week’s text: John 20: 11-18
“He is
not here, He is risen!” This main point
is the central focus of all the gospel writers.
Beyond that there are various descriptions and details emphasized in
each account. In some cases those to
whom he appears immediately recognize Jesus.
Other times the recognition is delayed and must be prompted in some way. There is no uniform pattern, and no attempt
to present a stylized reconciled version of the resurrection events. This fact supports the authenticity of the
Biblical record and helps us understand the dramatic impact of Jesus’s
resurrection on those who first saw and believed.
Philip
Yancey wrote that during the six-week interlude between the resurrection and
the ascension, “[Jesus] made his identity
so obvious that no disciple could ever deny him again (and none did). That Jesus succeeded in changing a snuffling band of unreliable
followers into fearless evangelists, that eleven men who had deserted him at
death now went to martyrs’ graves avowing their faith in a resurrected Christ,
that these few witnesses managed to set loose a force that would overcome
violent opposition first in Jerusalem and then in Rome — this remarkable
transformation offers the most convincing evidence for the Resurrection. What else explains the whiplash change in men
known for their cowardice and instability?” [1]
John’s
account stresses the historical reality of the resurrection and the initial
stumbling steps towards this “whiplash change” in individuals like himself,
Mary Magdalene, Thomas, Peter and the rest of disciples. Thus we consider the same question, how can the reality of the resurrection
brings about this change in us as we walk in the reality of the
resurrection? This Sunday we will consider
this as we look at the encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
This
Sunday, like every other Sunday, some will come to church with hearts filled
with joy and gladness. And there will be
others who will come with hearts burdened and broken, with tear stained eyes
(that we may or may not see). Mary
Magdalene came to the tomb that first resurrection morning with a broken heart
and eyes clouded by tears. She loved
Jesus, and longed to see him and hear his voice again, but held no hope of
doing so since he was (she thought) dead and buried.
What an
amazing passage this is as we see Mary’s eyes open and her heart healed by the
risen Christ. He lives and longs to do
the same in your heart. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matt 5:4)
As you
prepare for worship read John 20: 15-16 and consider that Mary’s eyes were
opened to the reality of the risen Christ not by what she saw, but by hearing
Him speak her name. Hearing his voice
opened her eyes and healed her broken heart.
This is just what Jesus promised us would happen in John 10: But he
who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper
opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads
them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but
they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers……….I am
the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows
me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have
other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will
listen to my voice. So there will be one
flock, one shepherd. (John 10:2-5,
14-16)
When we
gather for worship the risen Christ will be speaking to us through his
Word.
As you
prepare for worship read John 20: 11-18 and consider this amazing truth: you
will coming before your heavenly Father as a brother or sister of Christ, and
doing so along with other brothers and sisters in Christ. This is what the writer of Hebrews was
talking about when he wrote: For it was fitting that he, for whom and by
whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder
of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those
who are sanctified all have one source. That
is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
(Hebrews 2:10-11)
The
song Alive (Mary Magdalene) will be a part of our worship music this week. The song is sung from the perspective of Mary
Magdalene. In one verse of the song we
hear:
Who could speak and send the
demons back from where they came
with just one Name?
What other heart would let
itself be broken every time
'til He healed mine?
You only You, could turn my
darkness into dawn;
Running right into Your arms
Alive, alive, Look what mercy's overcome;
Death has lost
and love has won
Alive, alive; Hallelujah risen
Lord; The only One I fall before;
I am His because He is alive.
I look
forward to seeing you in church this Sunday and I am praying for you and with
you as we ask God to help u walk in the light of the resurrection.
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