Today we're going to consider the proof for the victory of the Living God over the dominion of darkness, the resurrection. We're also going to consider how knowing that proof impacts the way we live today and what we're spending our time doing.
Spirit of the Living God, fill our hearts with your presence today. May we love others the way you have loved us- with a love that embraces and transforms. Thank you for what you've done and what you are doing in us and in our community. Teach us to obey all that you have commanded and thank you for committing to us even until the end of this age.
Check out Matthew 28:1-20
- Who were the followers of Jesus that discoverd the empty tomb?
- How do you think they felt when they encountered the scene from verse 2-4?
- Take a few minutes and imagine that you are one of the Marys in these verses. Describe how you would feel if you had seen everything in verses 2-4 and then encountered what happened in verses 8-10.
- What happened to Jesus after he died?
- What did the guards report back to the priests and what plan did the priests come up with?
- Jews were only raised to worship the Living God. What does the disciples' (who were all Jewish) action in verse 17 reveal about how they viewed Jesus?
- Check out Acts 2:22-24, 31-33, 36-39. How do these verses explain the disciples reaction in Matthew 28:17? How should we react to the news of Jesus' resurrection?
- Do you find it hard to believe in the resurrection sometimes? Why is it so hard for us to believe it 2000 years later? What helps us believe in it?
- What was Jesus last command(s) for his disciples?
- Do you find comfort in the fact that Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth? Why?
- How do verses 18-20 challenge you?
This is often referred to as the Great Commission (verses 18-20). According to the original Greek structure, a good understanding of these verses is:
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore,
go (and as you are going through your daily life) and
make disciples (students of Jesus) of all people everywhere by
baptizing them and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you
And truly I will be
with you always to the very end of this earth...
- What are two key things that have to happen/be happening for someone to be a disciple of Jesus?
- Why do you think those two things have to happen?
Take time to thank the Father for his plan that was carried out through the cross and proven by the resurrection. Ask him to show you how he wants you to carry out his last command to his followers. Ask him to lay someone on your heart to share about him with and ask for opportunities to share the good news with them.
Peace,
Richard
2 comments:
1) The followers that find Jesus's empty tomb were Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.
2) I think they felt afraid but I think they felt at ease because they could tell ithad to be good news. When they found out the news I think they were shocked and excited to spread the news.
3) I would have felt frightened but at ease because I would figure it was just somethin that was happening from Jesus or our Heavenly Father. I would then be excited and relieved to hear that he has risen. I would be excited to be the first one to know and the one to spread the news to everyone.
4) He rose from the dead.
5) The guards told the priest and he gave some guards money to say "His disciples came durning the night and stole him away while we were asleep."
6) They loved Jesus and worshiped him. Some doubted but they still worshiped because of all the things he did for him. They thought highly of him.
7) Those verses show that they walk beside Jesus throughout his life. They felt bad for him when he was cruicified and now they were happy to see him again.
8) We should react by showing love and praise Jesus and our Father. By being cruccified it crucified both Jesus and father.
9) It is hard to believe it so many years later because it has been so long ago. We always have to see it to believe it which is not true in this situation.
10) Reading his words helps us believe in him.
11) His words to them was to spread the word and to baptize people in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit.
12) Yes because Jesus did magnificent work for everone. We can trust in him.
13) It challenges me because it says "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Which no one ever does so it is a challenge for everyone.
Jessica (:
1. The people who discovered the empty tomb were Mary Magdalene and the other Mary.
2. I think that they felt like the world was ending but not and they were probably really confused.
3. I would feel like running and hiding and hoping that the sky didn't fall in on me. If some blinding object told me to go see the tomb I would not come out of my hiding. I would wait until he was gone to go see.
4. After he died, he was put in a tomb and after three days he rose from the grave.
5. The guards reported everything that happened. The priests told them to tell the people that the disciples stole Jesus out of the tomb while the guards were sleeping and that it is all a lie.
6. Verse 17 revealed that they all worshiped him but they kind of doubted him like they weren't sure of what to do.
7. They help explain it because they show that the disciple were very strong followers of christ for their whole lives. We should react to the news by turning back to God and being baptised so our sins are forgiven and the promise is fulfilled.
8. I don't know really. I have been taught that that is what happened over and over again so I really don't know what else to think. It is sort of unrealistic though.
9. His last commands were for the disciples to go and baptise people in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit.
10. Yes I feel comfort in it because it shows his victory over Satan and evil. (I think)
11. They challenge me to let people know about God and to make them followers (disciples).
12. a. they have to be baptised?
b. they have to be taught to obey his command
13. They have to happen or else you aren't really following him if you aren't obeying him.
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