Prayer for All Members Based on Don Guthrie’s Message, April 9, 2023 John 20:1, 11, 15-17, 26-27; Matthew 26:39-44
Re-thinking Easter

Introduction (John 20:1):

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

“On the first day” is literally “on the one” – almost as if this were the conclusion of a countdown to day one, the day of the resurrection. For those who stood nearest to Jesus this was the beginning of a new life not just for Him but for themselves. We know and believe this truth of the resurrection, but we must re-think it – think it through for the hope it is to our hearts. From this truth we can think through to all other truths, but today we will think about just a couple:

1. The Power of Prayer: If the resurrection is true then prayer is powerful. (Matt. 26:39-44)

   And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” ...

   Hours before the cross, Jesus could see it coming and He went to pray. He wanted to follow God but it was hard. If the flesh is weak, and Jesus said it was, then even if we want to do God’s will, we must pray in order to know it and to do it. He wanted His Father’s will even at great cost to Himself; He “prayed through” and received supernatural strength to endure all that He had to endure.

   His disciples watched and came to realize the power of that prayerful moment. Later they themselves would devote themselves to prayer and wait together until the Spirit came and filled them. One of the lessons of Easter is that prayer works. Go to Him. Listen to Him. Wait for Him.

   Lord, please help us to pray, and pray together until Your Spirit fills our lives. Give us the supernatural strength we need to do Your will.

2. The Importance of Progress: If the resurrection is true, then progress is essential. (John 20:11, 15-17, 26-27)

   But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb... Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for 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.’”

   When Mary realized that Jesus was there, she fell at His feet and took hold of Him, but He said, “Don’t cling to Me; I am going to ascend to My Father – you want that to happen – I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” At the resurrection, the promise God had made to reconcile us to Himself was effected. It was done. What the Father was to Jesus He now is to you. The access Jesus has to God is the same access you now have.

   He said to Mary, don’t cling to Me; there are so many things about to happen and you want them to happen. He said, Go, Mary, go tell My disciples. If the resurrection is true, you have work to do; you have steps to take. Church, are there so many things about to happen in the salvation plan of God? Yes! Do you want to be a part of it? Then you have to get up and get going. He will show you what to do.

   Father, thank You for the resurrection and Your ongoing plan for the world, and for us! Please show us our part in moving forward into that glorious life.