April 5 Virtual Worship (Easter)
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Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
Scripture Lesson
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Scripture Reading: John 20:1-18
Sermon: My Teacher
John 20:1-18
20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus’s head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed, 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb, 12 and she saw two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”. 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Key Idea of the Sermon
The unexpected meets Mary Magdalene as she goes to Jesus’ tomb early on the first day of the week. Wisely, she gets two other disciples to confirm that the tomb was opened. These two investigate further but do not put the pieces of the puzzle together to understand that Jesus is risen. They return to their homes. But Mary stayed, mourning Jesus’ death. She is rewarded with the experience of seeing the Risen One with her own eyes. She calls him Rabbouni, which means “my teacher”, a title that reflects the deep respect and love she holds for Jesus. Mary Magdalene is not only the first person to see the Risen Jesus, she is also the first person to proclaim the good news of the resurrection.
Questions for Reflection
• Mary demonstrates deep devotion to Jesus by keeping vigil while Jesus was crucified (see John19:25) and by going to his tomb to mourn. How do you demonstrate your devotion to Jesus?
• Mary did not recognize the Risen Jesus at first but then recognized him as he spoke her name. How have you recognized the Risen One? Have you heard your name called?
A Spiritual Practice to Try
Take a quiet walk or hike this week and pay attention for signs of the resurrection. Invite the Risen Jesus to be your constant companion.
If you need some guidance or support, you may reach me at pastormarc.friedensucc@outlook.com
