Good News at Easter
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
11 Mary Magdalene stood crying outside the tomb. She was still weeping, when she stooped down 12 and saw two angels inside. They were dressed in white and were sitting where Jesus' body had been. One was at the head and the other was at the foot. 13 The angels asked Mary, “Why are you crying?” She answered, “They have taken away my Lord's body! I don't know where they have put him.” 14 As soon as Mary said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not know who he was. 15 Jesus asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken his body away, please tell me, so I can go and get him.” 16 Then Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him, “Rabboni.” The Aramaic word “Rabboni” means “Teacher.” 17 Jesus told her, “Don't hold on to me! I have not yet gone to the Father. But tell my disciples I am going to the one who is my Father and my God, as well as your Father and your God.” 18 Mary Magdalene then went and told the disciples she had seen the Lord. She also told them what he had said to her.
John 20:11-18
Memory Verse
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.
Have you ever been in a crowded store and couldn’t find your mom? You probably called, “Mooooom!” And chances are, she heard your voice and called your name. Your head immediately swung around to her because you recognized her voice. To anyone else, your mom’s voice might sound like just another person calling. But to you, your mom’s voice is like no one else; it’s your mom!
The same thing happened to Mary Magdalene with Jesus on the first Easter, the Sunday that Jesus rose from the dead. Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. Two angels, who were sitting inside the tomb, asked her why she was crying. “Why?” She probably thought that was a ridiculous question. After all, she believed that Jesus was dead and that someone had stolen his body.
Then Mary turned around and met Jesus. At first, she didn’t know it was him. Jesus asked Mary why she was crying. There was that same question again! Thinking he was the gardener, she asked him where Jesus’ body was. Was the gardener the one who took it?
But when she heard Jesus say, “Mary,” she realized it was him. Like you recognize your mom’s voice when she calls your name, Mary suddenly recognized Jesus: her Savior, teacher, and friend. Jesus had turned her entire life around. Jesus had given her a relationship with God. Jesus wasn’t dead; he was alive! It wasn’t an ordinary gardener who knew her name; it was the risen Savior. Maybe Mary gave him the biggest hug. She probably cried tears of joy! Jesus told her to tell his disciples that he was going to be with God. Later, he appeared to the disciples and said he would send them out to share the good news. And that’s something we can do too. We can tell others the good news: Jesus is alive and he loves us!
Prayer
Dear God, thank you that Jesus loves me so much that he died on the cross. Thank you for the hope we have because he rose again. Let me celebrate that Jesus is alive this Easter and every day. Amen.Related Resources
Areo Keller-Donahue
As soon as Areo could pick up a popsicle stick, she was making puppets and putting on plays that shared her faith with her neighbors. Areo grew up with a strong interest in musical theatre and earned her BFA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Areo was led to use artistic gifts to share the gospel with young ones, and she became involved in ministry. She has worked in children's ministry at Redeemer Upper West Side and North Way Christian Community and is currently developing a musical live-action series that celebrates faith and fun. Areo and her husband live in Pittsburgh, where they enjoy spending time with their families and adorable cat, Daisy.