John (35)

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Introduction:

Getting acquainted with this text: Work through passage making observations of how the story unfolds.

Focus: Mary Magdalene, the ordinary/ unlikely witness of an extraordinary resurrection. (Luke 8:2 (seven demons), Matthew 27:56 (death), Mark 15:47 (burial), Here in John, the first witness to the resurrected Jesus,

Her whole life record is a testimony of Jesus’ ministry, death, burial,resurrection! She is an example of the amazing transformation that Jesus accomplishes in a person’s life from the inside out.

She is an example of serving Christ. Having her identity define by Christ. Everything we know about her is in connection to Jesus.

She proves herself to be sacrificially devoted to Christ. She is there at the grave early , along with other ladies, having served Jesus in life [Mark 15:40-41] now seeking to serve Him in death. She remains after Peter and John return. She’s grieving as she should. She doesn’t seek to go beyond her responsibilities, but rather faithfully fulfills her role in service to Jesus.

She is a credible witness. Peter and John responded to her testimony. Jesus’ entrusted her with a message to the rest of the apostles.

Applications:

What about Jesus?

He personally seeks the broken hearted. The humble contrite of spirit. (20:16 & 17)

His resurrection true, but not His final work of God’s plan. (20:17) Acts 1:14 (no doubt, Mary M was a part of this 120 waiting for Holy Spirit.)

He is the Savior of the world. One of John’s major themes is the expansion of the kingdom.. of salvation.. beyond the Jews to other nations. Which we learned from Galatians mean that the gospel breaks down every social, religious, gender, political, language barrier.

What about us?

If we belong to Jesus rest assured of His extraordinary power to change us.

Jesus defines us. It’s not our past… not our failures… not our achievements.. not our ability to speak in a convening way…

One of the greatest that we can share Jesus with a lost world is our changed life. Mary was forever changed because Jesus raised from the dead. And so are we…