John 20:11-18 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found) – Adrienne Liesching | LYRIC VIDEO
• Speak O Lord – Keith & Kristyn Getty (Official Lyric Video)
• I Know That My Redeemer Lives (Official Lyric Video) – Keith & Kristyn Getty, Laura Story

Resources for Family Worship (with Children)

• The Empty Tomb – Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene and the Women | Bible school for kids – Lesson for Kids
• Deep & Wide | Good News Guys! | Children’s Sunday School Song – Song for Kids
• He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands | Maker Fun Factory Music Videos | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Jesus is Alive | Cross Culture Thailand Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The two disciples leave, but Mary Magdalene remains there. The author John continues to portray only Mary Magdalene as the main figure. She weeps outside the tomb and then looks inside again (v. 11). At that moment, she sees a scene that was not there before. Two angels in white are sitting where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and one at the feet (v. 12). Mary must have looked back and forth at the two figures in astonishment. Then one of the angels asks why she is crying, and Mary answers that the Lord’s body has been stolen (v. 13).

After saying this and turning her head, she sees someone standing behind her (v. 14). This time, that person also asks why she is crying. Mary thinks he is the one who takes care of the garden and asks him to tell her where Jesus’ body is if he has moved it (v. 15). Then Jesus says, “Mary!” calling her by name. At the sound of her own name being called, Mary realizes that it is the Lord, turns toward him, and answers, “Rabboni!” (meaning “Teacher”) (v. 16).

At that moment, Mary is so overjoyed that she tries to touch his feet. Jesus says, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet gone up to the Father” (v. 17). He tells Mary to go to the disciples and tell them that he is going up to God the Father. The phrase “going up” means that the one who came into history in the flesh is now returning again to the realm of God. We call this Ascension. In that moment, all sorrow disappears from Mary’s heart, and it is filled with joy. She goes at once to the disciples, tells them she has seen the risen Lord, and shares his words with them (v. 18).

Meditation:

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, all the male disciples scattered. Peter secretly followed as far as Caiaphas’s courtyard, but there he denied Jesus. Only John followed all the way to the place of the crucifixion. When John saw that Jesus’ tomb was empty, he still did not know what had happened. Peter and John tried to solve the mystery, but they found no clues. Only later, after meeting the risen Lord several times, did they come to believe that Jesus had truly risen from the dead.

Mary Magdalene, however, did not leave the empty tomb. She had followed Jesus with the other women, serving in quiet, unseen ways. Their presence had remained hidden behind the scenes until the time of the crucifixion. When the male disciples all disappeared from the stage of history, their presence became visible. They were there when Jesus was nailed to the cross and died. As soon as the Sabbath was over, they were the first to come to his tomb. John, the author, focuses on Mary Magdalene as the representative of the women who went to the tomb together. Mary could not leave that place until she understood what had happened to Jesus. Because of that, she received the honor of being the first to meet the risen Lord.

Jesus had said, “The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (10:3). The Jesus whom Mary met outside the tomb called her by name, and Mary recognized his voice. Only then did she understand who he was. When, overwhelmed with joy, she tried to go to him, Jesus stopped her. That is because the risen Lord had moved into a realm where he could be “seen,” but not “held.” Mary understood his words and went to the disciples to tell them that she had “seen” the Lord. In this way, she became the first disciple to possess complete faith.

Key Verse:

Jesus said to Mary, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet gone up to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them that I am going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Prayer:

Lord, you came near to Mary, who remained at the tomb because she longed to see you. You changed her sorrow into joy and her tears of grief into tears of delight. Come near to us also and let us hear your voice calling our names. Knowing the one thing—that you are with is enough. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus knows us personally and lovingly calls us by name. Even when we are confused, sad, or in tears, the risen Jesus comes near, helps us recognize him, and sends us to share the good news with others.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • Why was Mary crying outside the tomb?
  • What changed when Jesus called Mary by her name?
  • When you feel sad or scared, how does it help to remember that Jesus knows your name?
• Youth:
  • Mary did not recognize Jesus at first. Why do you think grief can make it hard to notice God’s presence?
  • What does it mean to you that Jesus knows you personally, not just as part of a crowd?
  • Mary was sent to tell others what she had seen. What might it look like for you to witness to Jesus in a quiet but real way?