Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
Opening Question
What is one of your favorite Easter memories?
The Tomb
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”– Matthew 28:1-10
What does the text say Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to the tomb to do?
What do you think these women expected to see at the tomb? How was what they actually saw different from what they probably expected?
Their miraculous encounter with the angel brought them both fear and joy. How is this mixture of emotions a picture of faith? What about God and his promises causes you to feel afraid and also joyful?
Jerusalem
While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
– Matthew 28:11-15
The guards went to the Jewish priests with the news of what had happened at the tomb, and together they spread a lie to cover up the truth about the resurrection. In the sermon, we heard how implausible their cover-up story was.
Why do you think the priests would conspire with Roman guards in this way?
Given what happens after this, in Acts and beyond, did the priests’ false story stop the truth about Jesus from spreading? What does this reveal about the power of lies?
How has faith in something miraculous triumphed over lies and doubt in your heart?
Galilee
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
– Matthew 28:16-20
Jesus tells the women to send “his brothers” to Galilee to find him, where he commissions them to go and make disciples of all nations, and promises to be with them to the very end.
Have the disciples proven themselves faithful to Jesus in the days leading up to Jesus’s conversation with the two Marys?
In your estimation, do they deserve to be called brothers or to be entrusted with the future of God’s church?
What hope does Jesus’s grace and mercy toward the disciples offer you in your own life?
Closing Thought
In your final time together, pray for any needs the group may have, as well as for opportunities and open doors to share the grace and mercy Jesus offers us with others this week.