The resurrection of Jesus means that darkness and death will not have the last word, but that God’s love conquers all things!
Join us in celebrating the resurrection this Sunday at ELC.
7:00 a.m — Sunrise worship in sanctuary
9:00 a.m. Traditional Festival worship with Holy Communion
10:30 a.m. Contemporary Festival worship with Holy Communion
Easter breakfast served in fellowship hall from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m.
April 20, 2014
John 20:1-18
Key Verses: “Jesus said to [Mary], ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?’ 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.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).” John 20:15-16
Time: 30 CE
Background: Although Jesus had told them he would return, Mary Magdalene and the disciples had no context for believing that he would be raised from the dead. Such a thing had never happened before. (Even the raising of Lazarus earlier in John’s gospel was a miracle performed by the miracle-worker, Jesus. Who was left to perform the miracle for Jesus?) When the disciples “believed,” but didn’t yet “understand,” they may have believed only that the body had been removed.
What a shock it must have been for Mary to recognize Jesus! The story doesn’t tell us whether or not the disciples believed her story. Perhaps more important is whether or not we believe it, and if so, who will we tell?
Community: What traditions will you celebrate today? Who will you celebrate with? What new traditions might you begin that remind you that today is a celebration of new life—yours and others’?
At Home: How has Jesus shocked or surprised you? If you are in need of a surprise or miracle, ask God for one. Be open to God’s response.
Read This Week:
Monday, Apr 21, Jesus Appears to Seven Disciples, John 21:1-14
Tuesday, Apr 22, Jesus and Peter, John 21:15-19
Wednesday, Apr 23, Jesus and the Beloved Disciple, John 21:20-25
Thursday, Apr 24, Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11
Friday, Apr 25, The Apostles Heal Many, Acts 5:12-16
Saturday, Apr 26, The Apostles Are Persecuted, Acts 5:17-42
Next Week: Sunday, Apr 27, Thomas, John 20:19-31
