Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
Easter Clothes
Scripture
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the linen clothes lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the linen clothes lying there, 7 as well as the facecloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The facecloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen clothes. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
Main Idea
Some of your earliest memories for Easter may have included dressing up in a suit or fancy clothes for church. You may have been told to "Look your best for Jesus" on Easter. Others may have bought new clothing specifically for Easter Sunday since the holiday represents a new start, a new creation, and a new possible way of living for all who are in Christ. The same thing happens for the beginning of school or work or any other "new start" type of events we have in our lives. Clothing sometimes can make you feel a certain way or carry significance if you only wear them for certain days.
Inside the grave, Jesus left his graveclothes on purpose. He didn't need the wrappings of a dead body any longer because He was and is alive! When reading through John's account of visiting the empty grave you can see his perspective change while he was looking at the empty grave and the clothing Jesus left behind.
"It didn't make sense until he (John) went in!"
Discussion Questions
- Share a memory you have about Easter and if you dressed up or got new clothes for Easter services as a kid.
- How quick do you typically progress through the three versions of "looking" John used when it comes to scriptural topics? Do you immediately believe you understand and perceive something the moment you see it or do you like to spend a lot of time to dwell on a topic before claiming you understand it? What are the benefits or drawbacks of each approach?
- What does the resurrection of Christ mean to you?
Summary
There is a distinct progression of understanding and wisdom. You don't jump immediately from hearing something for the first time to immediately knowing or understanding the fully concept. The same is true for us as we learn the depths of Christ. The disciple John did not immediately jump to full embracing and believing that Jesus was risen from the dead. John heard and "knew" what Jesus said was going to happen but it still didn't fully register of the power and impact until he saw it.
John uses three different phrases that could be rendered as the concept of "to see". John looked in the grave and saw that it was empty with old grave clothes left behind. The three versions of "to see" can be understood as a natural progression of God producing wisdom in our hearts and minds.
- First impressions - John immediately looked into the grave and saw the linen clothes there. The first impression that John and other disciples had was that someone stole Jesus' body. This version of "looked" is from the term blepo which means to look, glance, or take a visual notice. John looked and made a quick assessment. Fortunately he didn't stay there.
- Second Guessing - John continued his internal battle of interpretation of what he just "looked" at. In John 20:6-7, he "saw" the linen clothes lying there. This term, theoreo, means to scrutinize, examine, or consisder. You can see the wrestling going on in John's head here. He has a gut reaction when he first looked and now he is starting to consider other possibilities to examine his original interpretation.
- A Close Look - Finally, in John 20:8 you can see John entered into the empty grave and God revealed to him the deep truth and reality of Christ being alive. In this verse, the term used is horao which means to recognize or perceive. John is moving from reaction to conviction as he spent more time dwelling on the clothes of Christ.
We need to recognize that first impressions are not always the correct ones. The more time we spend looking at things and interpreting them in light of scripture the deeper our wisdom and revelation become. You will never get the full picture with a first impression. Keep asking and keep looking to go deeper in Christ. There is a reason why Jesus told us that whoever asks will receive, whoever seeks will find, and whoever knocks will have doors opened. It isn't the first impression, it's the deeper look.
Take Action
- Commit your life to Jesus and ask Him to be your personal Savior
- If you have not been baptized, then prayerfully consider taking that next step
- Get involved on a Team to get to know the body of Christ
Announcements
- Essentials on April 26th
- Baptisms on April 26th
