December 14, 2016
MAKE IT PERSONAL
John 20:1–18
LaRae Steadman
Central Truth
Don’t be satisfied with a shallow relationship with Christ! Seek Him and find hope and purpose for your life!
Key Verse | John 20:16
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). (John 20:16)
John 20:1–18
The Resurrection
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. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' 1 20:7 Greek his head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, 2 20:16 Or Hebrew “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘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 that he had said these things to her.
Dive Deeper | John 20:1–18
The last time Mary saw Him, His body was hanging from a cross, beaten beyond recognition, bloody, and lifeless. Full of grief and sorrow, she goes to the tomb early Sunday morning and finds the stone rolled away and her risen Lord!
I love how John sets the scene for us and gives us so many details. Overcome with grief, Mary sees the angels and the burial linens. But she doesn’t see a body. As she is attempting to gather more information, she asks the “gardener” where the body of her Lord has been taken. And then it happens. He calls her name; she recognizes His voice. In one word, her confusion and grief are turned to joy! Jesus is alive! And the world is changed forever!
For me, this account is more than a factual account of Jesus’ first appearance in His resurrected body. It speaks to me about the relationship I see modeled here for us. Mary, along with other followers of Christ, lived closely with Him. As we have learned this past year studying the Gospels, they followed Him, were served by Him, were loved by Him, and knew Him. The more they experienced Jesus, the more clearly they understood His mission, their Heavenly Father, and what they were all called to do.
The thing that first hooked me on Jesus was learning it was possible to have a relationship with Him. And not only that, but a personal relationship is what He desires for me (see John 14:15-21)! As our relationship began to grow, I realized His great love for me was demonstrated by dying on the cross to give me life—a life I wouldn't have at all without Him! A personal gift just for me! Understanding that truth kindled my desire to know Him more deeply. I didn’t want a shallow relationship. I wanted to go “all in.”
This is what He desires for us because He loves and cares for us. Like Mary, listen for His voice in your heart and respond. Pursue Him. Make it personal! Then go and tell the others!
Discussion Questions
1. Jesus says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Mary recognized His voice because she knew Him. What about you? How well do you know Jesus?
2. In our passage today, Jesus appeared first to Mary and then told her to go and tell the others, “my brothers” (John 20:17-18). Just imagine this! What if you were Mary and you were given this responsibility? Well, consider Matthew 28:19-20! You have been told the same thing! Are you sharing your faith with others and encouraging them to have a personal relationship with Christ?
3. As you look back over your relationship with Christ, what was it that “hooked” you? Consider taking time to formulate your “testimony,” or a personal account of the steps you took to follow Christ. What does your personal relationship with Christ mean to you?
4. If you haven’t decided to follow Christ, I’m glad you’re on The Journey with us, because your continued reading indicates you are interested and curious, and you have a desire to be known and loved. It is my personal prayer for you that God will come into your life in a real way and that you can hear His voice. He has plans for you and purpose for your life (read 1 Corinthians 2:9; Isaiah 43:1-2; Jeremiah 29:11)! Won’t you take the steps to find out what your life could be like once you answer His call, accept His gift of salvation, and begin a personal relationship with Him?