Easter Resurrection People
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.
1 On Sunday morning while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran to Simon Peter and to Jesus' favorite disciple and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb! We don't know where they have put him.” 3 Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 They ran side by side, until the other disciple ran faster than Peter and got there first. 5 He bent over and saw the strips of linen cloth lying inside the tomb, but he did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter got there, he went into the tomb and saw the strips of cloth. 7 He also saw the piece of cloth that had been used to cover Jesus' face. It was rolled up and in a place by itself. 8 The disciple who got there first then went into the tomb, and when he saw it, he believed. 9 At that time Peter and the other disciple did not know that the Scriptures said Jesus would rise to life. 10 So the two of them went back to the other disciples. 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 20:1-18
9 So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death.
Romans 10:9
Memory Verse
1 Peter 1:3
3 Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on.
Early on a Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene felt very sad; in fact, she felt hopeless. Her teacher and friend had been crucified on Friday, and now, mysteriously, his tomb was empty. Mary stood alone outside the tomb, crying. But when she turned around, she saw a man standing there. She thought, “He must be the gardener.” He asked her, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” She asked him to please tell her where Jesus’ body had been taken.
But then, the man said one word, and Mary realized that it wasn’t the gardener. He said, “Mary!” and she knew that it was Jesus. He had done what he came to the earth to do: he had defeated sin and death. He had risen! Jesus told Mary to go and tell the others the good news. She ran as fast as she could to tell their friends Jesus was—and is— alive!
Sometimes in life, we may feel like Mary. We may feel alone and hopeless. Jesus may seem far away. But while we are still crying, he stands beside us. And if we are listening to his voice, he says our name. Suddenly, our eyes recognize that Jesus was with us all along, and he will always be with us. Jesus transforms our hopelessness into hopefulness; our tears into joy. When we know that our Savior lives, we live in the freedom his resurrection gives us. And like Mary, we run as fast as we can to share the good news that he has risen indeed.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you that Jesus is alive. Thank you that when we accept Jesus as our Savior, we have a new life with him. Please help us to live each day in the joy of Jesus’ resurrection and to share the good news of the gospel so more people may know that Jesus has risen. In Jesus’ name we pray. 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.