We have updated our Privacy Policy to provide you a better online experience.
Review
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD


Youth Devotional

Day 46 - The Resurrection of Jesus

 
Share

Video Host: Travis Nicholson - Northen New England DYD

Big Scripture: John 20:1–10 (NLT)

1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— 9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home. 

 

Big Idea:

Mary went to the tomb as early as she could. Jesus died just before the start of the Sabbath, but she couldn’t go then because any kind of work was forbidden. She also wasn’t going to go after sundown on Saturday night (once the Sabbath ended) as there was no electricity and lighting. We know from Matthew and Luke that she was not alone—Mary and other women woke up early to go to the tomb. We know from Luke’s account that they brought spices, expecting to complete a proper burial ceremony for Jesus; but once they found the stone rolled away they ran back to tell the disciples. 

Most likely the “other disciple” was John, the author of this Gospel account. He was faster than Peter, but Peter was the first one to go into the now empty tomb. He saw the grave cloths folded up and lying there—Jesus was alive and He didn’t need them! 

In this moment something incredible happened—John sees and believes! He had been around Jesus for over three years. He had heard many powerful teachings and witnessed many miracles and healings. He had even been sent out to do the same. But until he saw the evidence of the resurrected Jesus, he didn’t fully believe. He believed Jesus was a great teacher, a miracle worker, and a prophet, but once he saw that Jesus had defeated death, there was no question in his mind that Jesus was the Messiah—the Savior of the world, the Son of God, the Holy One! It’s important that we move beyond seeing Jesus as a good man. We must believe that He is risen and alive—we must see Him as God! 

 

Big Questions:

  • When was the last time you had exciting news to share with others? What was it?

  • How did Mary, Peter, and John each respond differently when they arrived at the tomb? 

  • What did John finally believe when he saw the empty tomb? 

  • How does believing in Jesus’ victory over death and the grave help us?

 

Big Prayer:

God,
Thank You that Jesus didn’t stay dead! Thank You that Jesus defeated Satan, sin, hell, death, and the grave. Thank You that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in all who believe. Help me to set my eyes on the resurrected Jesus and not on my circumstances or struggles. Let His life and His power be at work in me. Thank You for the hope of our future resurrection—that we will live forever in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.