THEME: IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD
TEXT: JOHN 20:1-23.
LESSON AIMS: After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:
1. Retell John’s account of the empty tomb.
2. Tell how the evidence of the resurrection leads one to faith in Jesus.
3. Write a prayer of gratitude for the resurrection of Jesus.
INTRODUCTION
Early in the history of the church there arose a fascination with the preservation of physical items associated with the life of Jesus. Some believed that these items possessed more than sentimental value. Some believed that the items had miraculous powers, magical properties.
The superstitious veneration of such items reached a high point during the late medieval period. That’s when European crusaders and others sought the Holy Grail (the cup Jesus used at the last supper), the holy rood (part of the wooden cross on which Jesus was crucified), and the spear of destiny (the lance that the Roman soldier used to pierce the side of Christ to confirm his death), as well as other items. The crusaders often believed that these items would give them God’s power in military conflicts. The Israelites made this mistake hundreds of years earlier with the Ark of the Covenant (see 1 Samuel 4:1-11).
Even today, many Christians are fascinated by claims concerning the burial cloths left in Jesus’ tomb (John 19:40; 20:6-7). Some believe that the long burial shroud was preserved and is the same as the Shroud of Turin, kept in a chapel in Italy. Books have been written, television documentaries produced, and Web sites have been devoted to the question of the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. Less well known is the Sudarium (Latin for “sweat cloth”), a small piece of linen cloth with bloodstains that some claim to be the head cloth that John saw in the empty tomb. The alleged Sudarium is kept in a church in Oviedo, Spain.
Some have thought it desirable for churches or cathedrals to have collections of “relics,” often the bones of saints. The fame and prestige of a church or cathedral was evaluated on its relic collection. Pilgrims came to these places, hoping the relics would bring them miraculous results when the devout person prayed (compare Acts 19:12). This gave great financial incentive for the unscrupulous to create forgeries of items that would be venerated. Such is probably the origin of the Shroud of Turin and the Sudarium, although we do not know this for sure.
While artefacts from the ancient world are interesting and may help us understand the Bible better, we should not expect them to have miraculous powers. They should not be prayed to or worshiped in any way, for this is idolatry. We do not find Peter, John, or Mary going back to the empty tomb to collect these items, saying, “We had better save this stuff!” Our faith is in the risen Lord, not his grave clothes.
[Please note that you are free to reproduce this lesson for your Sunday school classes. The talk points (in red prints) are to help your discussions.]
A. THE DISCOVERY THAT JESUS IS RISEN – John 20:1-10
1. What surprises have you experienced in your own search for Christ? (Surprises that added to your understanding of Jesus; Surprises that corrected your misunderstandings of Jesus.)
2. What difference does the resurrection make in your life? (In your time priorities; In your financial priorities; In your conversations; In your relationships.)
3. What are the potential benefits and dangers of taking a trip to see the alleged burial cloths and empty tomb of Christ? (The benefits of archaeology in general; The problem of “needing” to see such things (John 20:29; Hebrews 11:1); Danger of focusing on the mystical.)
B. LIVING JESUS APPEARS TO MARY MAGDALENE – John 20:11-18
1. Looking at the grief that had blinded Mary and the love that flooded her heart when the saviour called her by name, can you like Mary, regard Jesus as your Lord? What changes do you need to make now? (A time to change; Making a decision to receive Jesus; Evaluating your life in Christ.)
C. LIVING CHRIST APPEARS TO HIS DISCIPLES FOR COMMISSION – John 20:19-23
1. When was a time in your life that the presence of Christ was profoundly meaningful to you? (A time of joy; A time of sorrow; A time of change.)
2. What difference would it make, if any, if Christ were here to show his wounds to anyone who wanted to see them? [Changes to your own faith; Changes in the unity of the church; Changes to the unbelieving world in general; Changes to those who believe in false religions in particular (see Luke 16:31).]
CONCLUSION
The Gospel of John is full of pointed questions. “What do you want?” (John 1:38). “Can anything good come from there [Nazareth]?” (1:46). “Do you want to get well?” (5:6). “You do not want to leave too, do you?” (6:67). “Do you believe this?” (11:26). “Who is this ‘Son of Man‘?” (12:34). “Are you the king of the Jews?” (18:33). “What is truth?” (18:38). “Simon... do you truly love me?” (21:16). When these questions are asked by the characters in the storyline (sometimes by Jesus himself), they usually are asked of us, the readers, too.
In particular, John includes many questions about faith. Such questions still hold today. All around us are unbelievers—men, women, and children—with no promise of forgiveness, no hope of salvation without Jesus. Their lives may hum along for a long time, but there comes a day when things fall apart, and they have no faith to sustain them.
Just as the risen Jesus Christ gave hope and peace to Mary Magdalene in her day, the sharing of the resurrection gives hope to us today. Yes, life is hard, but we know that Jesus has not abandoned us. He has gone to prepare a place for us, a heavenly abode where there will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more heartache (Revelation 21:4).
The waiting world is looking for a Savior. It asks “Who is he? Please tell me so that I might believe” (compare John 9:36). We have the answer to that question. May we share it with all, whether they listen or not. May we proclaim Hallelujah! Christ is risen indeed!
PRAYER
Father God, our Lord and Master, we are amazed at your love for us. We are astounded that your Son, Jesus, would willingly give his life for us. We are dumbfounded to learn that he did not stay dead, but rose to live again.
That empty tomb is the greatest news we could ever hear, for it gives us the hope that death is not the end, but the beginning of a new life with you. May we live as people of faith, trusting in you alone for our salvation. We pray in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ; amen.
THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Only Jesus’ resurrection gives us eternal hope.
NEXT WEEK: NEXT WEEK: APRIL 15, 2012: CLEANSING THE TEMPLE - John 2:13-22
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