The Gardens of God – Week 7 Guide

The Garden of Resurrection – John 20:1-18

To download the guide for this week, use the link below.

Connecting

Are there any Easter traditions that you look forward to each year? If so, what are they, and what makes them fun or special?

John 20:1-18

¹ 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’ 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!” (which means Teacher). ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to 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.

Questions

1. Look at John 20:1-18 and notice how often the words “saw” and “seen” are mentioned. What do you make of the emphasis on “seeing”?
2. What differences do you notice in the passage when Mary “sees” and when she “hears”? Which leads to greater understanding?
3. In the Easter story in John 20:1-18, do you relate more to the response of Mary, John, or Peter? Which one is more representative of your faith experience or perspective?
4. What difference does it make if we place our focus more on “the tomb” and all that it represents, versus concentrating on the garden and the Gardener?
5. Mary delivers the first Easter sermon and it’s short and memorable: “I have seen the Lord.” How can we say that in our own lives?
6. How does the resurrection of Jesus matter for our present, as well as for our future?

Praying for Each Other

Are there any joys to celebrate, any burdens we can share?

Closing Prayer:

Risen Lord, we thank You for meeting us in the garden of resurrection, just as you met Mary in her grief and turned her sorrow into joy. In the quiet places of our hearts, remind us that resurrection is not only a moment in time, but a promise that transforms our everyday lives. Help us to hear your voice calling our name and to carry the hope of new life into the world around us. Like the garden of resurrection, may our hearts be places where faith can grow, and love can bloom and be shared. Teach us to linger in Your presence and to run with joy to share the good news with others. We ask this in the name of the Risen Christ, Amen.