Connecting Changes Everything
Have you seen those AT&T commercials? Their slogan is, “Connecting changes everything.” Whether it’s connecting to the internet, a phone call, or a service—AT&T wants you to believe that connection will change your life.
What we find in John 20:1-18 is that connecting with Jesus changes everything. The resurrection changes everything.
As we reflected on a memorable passage for Easter Sunday, we were drawn into an encounter with the Risen Christ. This encounter changed everything for Mary. From sorrow to joy. From confusion to clarity. From hopelessness to purpose.
In a similar way, we are invited on a journey to encounter the Risen Christ. And we are called to respond in the following ways:
#1 – Come and See that Christ is Risen (John 20:1-10)
Already filled with grief, Mary is the first to the tomb, and what she finds is deeply unsettling: the stone is rolled away. So she runs to Peter and John with a desperate report: “They have taken the Lord” (John 20:2)
Peter and John then sprint to the tomb, and what they see changes something in them. The linen cloths are arranged in an orderly manner. John sees this, and he ‘believed’ (John 20:8). He understands the fact of the resurrection, and it leads to faith. Yet he doesn’t fully understand the meaning of the moment.
Where do you turn in times of despair, sorrow, and confusion? Look to the empty tomb.
Where do you turn in times of doubt and skepticism? Examine the empty tomb.
The first step is to come and see the empty tomb. Consider the fact that Christ is risen.
#2 – Hear and Believe that Christ is Risen (John 20:11-16)
While John and Peter head back home, Mary remains at the tomb still filled with sorrow and confusion. And even when Jesus appears to her, she doesn’t recognize Him—until He speaks her name. One word from Jesus changed everything. “Mary.” When she hears her name called out by Jesus, she is changed and transformed. Her sorrow turned to joy. Her confusion turned to clarity. Her despair turned to hope.
How about you? Have you allowed the noise of this world – distractions, busyness, temptations, worldly concerns – drown out the voice of the Risen Christ?
Jesus invites you into a deeper relationship with Him.
Are you listening for the voice of Jesus calling out your name?
The next step is to hear and believe in Him. Listen to His Word and trust in Him.
#3 – Go and Proclaim that Christ is Risen (John 20:17-18)
Mary’s encounter doesn’t end in personal comfort. Jesus gives her a mission: “Go and tell my brothers.” The first person to proclaim the resurrection was Mary Magdalene. A woman with a past, now becomes the first witness for Jesus.
The message of the risen Christ is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It is meant to be shared. From clinging to a commission. From weeping to witnessing.
We are sons and daughters of God. And we are sent ones. Both are essential.
We are not just meant to experience the resurrection—we are called to announce it.
Who needs to hear your story of your encounter with Jesus?
In the span of one morning, Mary moves from weeping to witnessing, from hopelessness to purpose. That’s the power of the resurrection. That’s what happens when we encounter the risen Christ.
Where are you on this journey? Do you need to come and see? Do you need to hear and believe? Or is Jesus calling you to go and tell?
Who can you invite to come and see? Who do you know that needs to hear about Jesus and believe in Him? And who can you go and tell this week, that Christ is risen?
The empty tomb is an invitation. Connecting with Jesus really does change everything.
For this week: Read Luke 24:13-35
What we find in John 20:1-18 is that connecting with Jesus changes everything. The resurrection changes everything.
As we reflected on a memorable passage for Easter Sunday, we were drawn into an encounter with the Risen Christ. This encounter changed everything for Mary. From sorrow to joy. From confusion to clarity. From hopelessness to purpose.
In a similar way, we are invited on a journey to encounter the Risen Christ. And we are called to respond in the following ways:
#1 – Come and See that Christ is Risen (John 20:1-10)
Already filled with grief, Mary is the first to the tomb, and what she finds is deeply unsettling: the stone is rolled away. So she runs to Peter and John with a desperate report: “They have taken the Lord” (John 20:2)
Peter and John then sprint to the tomb, and what they see changes something in them. The linen cloths are arranged in an orderly manner. John sees this, and he ‘believed’ (John 20:8). He understands the fact of the resurrection, and it leads to faith. Yet he doesn’t fully understand the meaning of the moment.
Where do you turn in times of despair, sorrow, and confusion? Look to the empty tomb.
Where do you turn in times of doubt and skepticism? Examine the empty tomb.
The first step is to come and see the empty tomb. Consider the fact that Christ is risen.
#2 – Hear and Believe that Christ is Risen (John 20:11-16)
While John and Peter head back home, Mary remains at the tomb still filled with sorrow and confusion. And even when Jesus appears to her, she doesn’t recognize Him—until He speaks her name. One word from Jesus changed everything. “Mary.” When she hears her name called out by Jesus, she is changed and transformed. Her sorrow turned to joy. Her confusion turned to clarity. Her despair turned to hope.
How about you? Have you allowed the noise of this world – distractions, busyness, temptations, worldly concerns – drown out the voice of the Risen Christ?
Jesus invites you into a deeper relationship with Him.
Are you listening for the voice of Jesus calling out your name?
The next step is to hear and believe in Him. Listen to His Word and trust in Him.
#3 – Go and Proclaim that Christ is Risen (John 20:17-18)
Mary’s encounter doesn’t end in personal comfort. Jesus gives her a mission: “Go and tell my brothers.” The first person to proclaim the resurrection was Mary Magdalene. A woman with a past, now becomes the first witness for Jesus.
The message of the risen Christ is not meant to be kept to ourselves. It is meant to be shared. From clinging to a commission. From weeping to witnessing.
We are sons and daughters of God. And we are sent ones. Both are essential.
We are not just meant to experience the resurrection—we are called to announce it.
Who needs to hear your story of your encounter with Jesus?
In the span of one morning, Mary moves from weeping to witnessing, from hopelessness to purpose. That’s the power of the resurrection. That’s what happens when we encounter the risen Christ.
Where are you on this journey? Do you need to come and see? Do you need to hear and believe? Or is Jesus calling you to go and tell?
Who can you invite to come and see? Who do you know that needs to hear about Jesus and believe in Him? And who can you go and tell this week, that Christ is risen?
The empty tomb is an invitation. Connecting with Jesus really does change everything.
For this week: Read Luke 24:13-35
Recent
Archive
Categories
no categories
No Comments