Hey Gang,
This week we will finish our 4 week series on Navigating the Maze of Grief. We've talked about how we can manage the grief we experience in life and how we can help others that are experiencing grief situations. This week's lesson is about the ultimate solution to grief: victorious life through Christ's victory over death - His Resurrection!
Think about this before Sunday - how specifically does Jesus help each of these believers below? Does the resurrection of Jesus make a difference?
1. This Christian woman is physically and mentally exhausted caring for her mother, who is suffering with Alzheimer’s. She realizes her mom will not recover this side of heaven.
2. This Christian man has received notice that he will lose his job as his company downsizes. He wonders how he can find work at this age. So he’s putting together his resume’ in the evenings.
3. This Christian grandmother is raising her grandchildren alone. She realizes why children are given to the young. Her money and energy are low.
4. This Christian husband’s wife wants a divorce. He’s been doing both the money-earning and child-care-giving for several years now, but this final blow hurts as if it were the first time she said an ugly word.
5. This Christian father’s son has alienated himself from the family. The father yearns to help make things right again.
I. REMEMBER WHAT HE SAID – JOHN 20:1-10
The Empty Tomb
1 On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put Him!" 3 At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5 Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. 6 Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7 The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8 The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. 9 For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went home again.
Why is it important for us to remember what Jesus has said as we deal with the grief issues we face in life?
II. KEEP COMMUNICATING – JOHN 20:11-15
11 But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus' body had been lying. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?" "Because they've taken away my Lord," she told them, "and I don't know where they've put Him." 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. 15 "Woman," Jesus said to her, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, "Sir, if you've removed Him, tell me where you've put Him, and I will take Him away."
When have you missed what Jesus was communicating to you? What helped you see the truth?
Why do you suppose Mary didn’t recognize Jesus?
How does Bible reading keep you conversing with God?
III. DO AS HE SAYS – JOHN 20:16-18
16 Jesus said, "Mary." Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" —which means "Teacher." 17 "Don't cling to Me," Jesus told her, "for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father—to My God and your God." 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them what He had said to her.
How does walking through a trauma with Jesus make a difference? How do you know what to do, say or think?
Jesus' resurrection is the ultimate hope for finding victory over sin and death. It makes possible victorious living and confident hope in bereavement and in dying. The basis for our faith in the crucified and risen Lord is both objective and subjective. It is objective because it really happened as the Scriptures proclaim. The New Testament account is based on the testimony of eyewitnesses who saw the empty tomb and, most important of all, who saw the risen Lord. It is subjective because the risen Lord lives in us.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You that You are alive and that You live within my heart. Amen
Prepare your hearts this week to encounter the risen Lord. See you on Easter Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
