What threads/themes/intersection(s) did you find this week?
This week’s passages are:
John 20:1-18 (or Mark 16:1-8): Mary Magdalene finds the tomb with stone rolled away and tells Peter and the other disciples. Then Peter and the disciple Jesus loved go and investigate and find the tomb empty. After they have left, Mary encounters Jesus and returns to the disciples to tell them what she has seen.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11: The message that was preached by all of the apostles, and in which the believers believed was that Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again, as witnessed by hundreds of disciples
Acts 10:34-43: Peter preaches about the way God does not show favouritism, but welcomes and saves all, reflecting on his witness to the resurrection of Jesus, and the forgiveness that is available to all who believe in Christ.
Isaiah 25:6-9: God will create a feast for all people, will swallow up death, and will wipe away all tears. All people will celebrate that God has saved them.
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24: A psalm of celebration and thanksgiving for God’s salvation, affirming that the psalmist will not die, but will live, and rejoicing that the rejected stone has become the main foundation stone.
Questions for these passages:
How does these passages point to Jesus?
How does these passages connect or conflict with Jesus' teachings, loving actions, or mission?
How does these passages shape me to be more loving like Jesus?
My Story Threads:
Intersections/Themes for Easter Sunday:
1. Victory Over Death and the Promise of Eternal Life
Isaiah 25:6-9: Foretells God's victory over death, promising a feast and the removal of grief and suffering.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11: Paul's declaration of the resurrection as the cornerstone of faith, emphasizing Christ's victory over death.
John 20:1-18: The account of Jesus' resurrection, showcasing His triumph over the grave.
Acts 10:34-43: Peter affirms that all who believe in Jesus will receive forgiveness of sins, underscoring the resurrection's pivotal role in salvation.
2. The Centrality of Witness
John 20:1-18 and Mark 16:1-8: The women at the tomb are the first to witness and are instructed to share the news of Jesus' resurrection.
Acts 10:34-43: Peter witnesses to the truth of Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection, emphasizing the importance of testimony.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11: Paul recounts his own experience and the appearances of the resurrected Christ to others, affirming the shared foundation of their faith.
3. Transformation Through Resurrection
John 20:1-18: Mary Magdalene's personal transformation from mourning to becoming the first evangelist of the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11: The resurrection as essential to the Christian faith, transforming understanding and practice of this faith.
What threads did you find in the Story?