Eternal Life Sunday School Lesson

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Eternal Life Sunday School Lesson

Introduction

A. The Cross and Easter

The cross is the most recognizable religioussymbol on earth. It appears as jewelry, in logos,on buildings, in cemeteries, and in countlessother places. Some churches often use a crosswith Jesus included, called a crucifix. Otherchurches prefer an empty cross, symbolizing thatJesus' work on the cross is finished. Still otherchurches favor another symbol: an image of therisen Christ over the cross. This reflects an un-derstanding that while Jesus' atoning sacrifice onthe cross is essential to our salvation, it is His resurrection that validates that work and com-pletes His mission on earth.

This week's lesson is for Resurrection Sunday(Easter). This has been celebrated by the churchsince her earliest days as the central event in allof human history. We will explore what it meansto be a witness to the risen Christ and how suchwitnesses have continuing significance for ustoday.

B. Lesson Background

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to somepeople but not to others. Why was that? We maynot understand this completely, but the NewTestament does give us some clues. First, we cansee that Jesus appeared only to believers. Therewas no appearance to Pontius Pilate, to Cai-aphas, or to the Roman emperor, as dramatic andpowerful as such appearances might have been.He did appear to large groups, one group esti-mated by Paul to have been over 500 in number.But Paul calls these people brethren, meaning"fellow believers" (1 Corinthians 15:6). There-fore, the required condition to receive a visitfrom the risen Christ was faith.

The one possible exception to this first item(the condition of faith) was Jesus' startling ap-pearance to Saul (later called Paul) on the road toDamascus (Acts 9). Yet the occasion was clear:Jesus had decided that this was the proper timeto call this man of zeal to His service. Paul was a"chosen vessel" for the Lord (Acts 9:15).

Second, we see that Christ alone determinedthe occasions for His appearances. There wasnever a sense of Christ appearing at someone'scommand, like conjuring up a demon or a genie.Third, the general purpose for Christ's appear-ances is also clear: He made himself known tothose whom

He wanted to be witnesses for Him.His parting words to the gathered disciples be-fore His ascension served to commission them as"witnesses unto me" (Acts 1:8), meaning able totestify that Jesus was truly risen from the dead. Anecessary qualification for replacing Judas as oneof the 12 apostles was that the candidate be "awitness with us of his resurrection" (Acts 1:22).A central person in today's lesson is Mary Mag-dalene. After her early morning encounter withthe risen Lord, she went "and told the disciplesthat she had seen the Lord" (John 20:18). Themany such witnesses to the resurrection arewhat give us confidence that Jesus really did risefrom the grave and that He has the power to saveus from death.

John's account of the events of the Sundaymorning of the resurrection of Jesus is full of unique details. One of these distinctive aspects isJohn's interest in the role of Mary Magdalene onthat glorious morning. Luke records that Marywas an early follower of Jesus, having been deliv-ered by Him from demon possession (Luke 8:2).

In John, she is first introduced as one of severalwomen who maintained a vigil at the cross (John19:25). We can appreciate her great love for theone who freed her from spiritual bondage. We sympathize with her extreme anguish in seeingHis suffering and death on a Roman cross.The commitment of Mary to her Lord can beseen in that she was not just one of the last at thecross but also the first at the tomb. When most ofthe male disciples abandoned Jesus, Mary andthe other women kept the deathwatch withoutregard to personal danger. While others slept onSunday morning, Mary arose before daybreak togo to the tomb and finish the proper preparationsof Jesus' corpse.

Upon arrival, Mary found the tomb open andempty, and she ran to Peter to report this. Johnmakes it clear that she believed someone had re-moved Jesus' body (John 20:1, 2, 13, 14). As westudy today's lesson, we experience Mary'scrushing agony upon tier discovery of the emptytomb and her mighty joy when she encountersher risen Lord. We share her emotions on thisgreat day.

I. Death Is Unlocked (Revelation 1:12a, 17, 18)

The book of Revelation is made up of a seriesof visions experienced by the apostle John whileexiled on the prison island of Patmos. John sig-nals to the reader the beginning of a new visionby writing that he is "in the Spirit" (Revelation1:10; also 4:2; 17:3; 21:10). His first vision is ofthe risen Christ, whom he hears before he sees(1:10-12). This vision includes a description of the Lord that is both awe-inspiring and full of al-lusions to the Old Testament.

A.Paralyzing Fear of Death (vv. 12a, 17)

12a, 17. And I turned to see the voice thatspake with me.... And when I saw him, I fell athis feet as dead. And he laid his right handupon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am thefirst and the last.

We can easily understand the reaction of John.He is experiencing Jesus in all His heavenlyglory. This includes a trumpet-like voice (Revela-tion 1:10). He sees eyes that bum like fire (1:14)and Jesus' countenance glowing like the sun(1:16). John is understandably filled with fear.Jesus taught that this fear is completely justified,for God is the one with ultimate power over aperson's eternal destiny (Matthew 10:28). Fear ofGod is expected of everyone (Revelation 15:4).John undoubtedly remembers a similar experi-ence of over 60 years earlier, when he was one ofthree disciples allowed to witness the transfigura-tion of Jesus. The disciples had fallen down infear (Matthew 17:6). At that time of deadly terror,Jesus' words had been, "Be not afraid" (Matthew17:7). Here again, Jesus lays a comforting hand onthe cowering John and tells him, "Fear not!" Hislife is not in danger. 'See quest ion Se 1 page 280

B.Encouraging Freedom from Death (v. 18)

18.I am he that liveth, and was dead; and,behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; andhave the keys of hell and of death.

Jesus gives John three powerful reasons not tofear. punctuating them with an amen (meaning"this is true"). First, Jesus reminds John of theevent that changed history: Jesus' resurrection.John was likely one of those who helped takedown Jesus' body from the cross. John was stand-ing right there when the soldier pierced Jesus'side (John 19:34, 35). John knew, beyond anyshadow of doubt, that Jesus' body had been de-void of all life. Yet he had also witnessed Jesusalive again. Jesus was dead. but God did notabandon Hint in the grave (Acts 2:31, 32).Second, Jesus was raised to eternal life. TheBible tells of several people who were broughtback to life after dying (example: Lazarus in John11). We assume, however, that all of these peopleeventually died a natural death again. Jesus' res-urrection is quite different! He was truly dead,His body lying inert in the grave for days. WhenHe came back to life, it was to be alive for ever-more. (See question #2. page 281,1

Third, Jesus tells John that He has the keys tounlock the strongholds of death. The word hell as used in this verse does not necessarily refer tothe place of ultimate punishment, the lake of fire(Revelation 20:10, 14). It is probably a generalreference to the place of the dead, called bodesby Greeks and sheol by Jews. To have the keys ofdeath means that Jesus is able to lead us fromdeath to life eternal. In this Jesus is the "captain"or pioneer of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10; 12:2),the one who has blazed the trail from death tolife that we may follow.

When we as believers read these words, weshould rejoice. Death has no power over us. Wehave been rescued from death and from the fearof death by Jesus, our Savior (Hebrews 2:15).Truly, we can sing with the apostle Paul, "Deathis swallowed up in victory!" (1 Corinthians15:54). ISee question #3, page 280.1

NOT A NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE, BUT A . . .Near-death experiences have been reported bymany people. One devout Christian woman re-lates two such experiences. In both cases she hadsuffered a deep vein thrombosis that requiredemergency medical treatment to save her life.She tells of entering into a brilliant room whereeverything was intensely peaceful and where shewas immersed in heavenly music.

These kinds of stories share similar themes.The book 90 Minutes in Heaven is the story of aChristian minister who was the victim of a hor-rendous, head-on crash with a semitrailer truck.Rescue personnel found no pulse and declaredhim dead. Another minister arrived on the sceneand prayed for him. Ninety minutes after thecrash, the "dead" man showed signs of life andeventually recovered. During those 90 minutes, hesass himself at the gates of Heaven, surrounded byfriends and relatives welcoming him home, but hewas turned assay before he could enter!

Do these stories reveal what actually hap-pened, or do they merely describe the vividimaginings of oxygen-starved brain cells? Re-gardless of what we make of these stories, theytestify to the faith of Christians. Their faith is inthe Lord who had not a near-death experiencebut a through-death experience. Our Lord is nowalive forever. Death could not hold Him, and Hehas the keys to our death as well

II. Christ Is Risen(John 20:11-16)

The second Scripture for this week's lessonalso comes from the apostle John. But this one isfrom his Gospel account of the life, death, andresurrection of Jesus. These verses focus on that momentous morning that inaugurated a new erafor God's people.

A. Weeping Without Christ (vv. 11-13)

11.But Mary stood without at the sepulchreweeping: and as she wept, she stooped down,and looked into the sepulchre.

Mary had visited the tomb before dawn, foundthe tomb empty, returned to tell Peter, and thencame back to the sepulchre herself. This is amoving, emotional time for Mary. Her griefbrings tears and sobs. She is weeping becausethe shock of Jesus' missing body has rekindledall of the sorrow she felt at His death. It appearsthat she even has been denied the opportunityto do a final service to her Lord: full preparationof His body for its final rest.

12.And seeth two angels in white sitting, theone at the head, and the other at the feet, wherethe body of Jesus had lain.

This type of tomb is not like the graves that wefind in our cemeteries today. This one is a smallroom carved into the limestone hillside. In thiscave-like room, there probably are severalshelves or niches to lay newly deceased bodies.After a body is deposited, such a tomb is sealedwith a large stone that has been shaped to fit theentrance snugly. The Gospels tell us that thisparticular tomb belongs to Joseph of Arimathea(Matthew 27:57-60) and that it has never beenused for burial.

Looking inside, Mary sees something she doesnot expect: two angels. These visitors have justappeared because Peter and John found nothingin the tomb but empty grave linens, and thenthey went home (John 20:3-10). The appearanceof these two angels thus is specially designed forMary's benefit.

13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Becausethey have taken away my Lord. and I know notwhere they have laid him.

The angels know what Mary doesn't: that thisis a time for rejoicing, not weeping. Mary weepsbecause the great crush of events has over-whelmed her. Her master has been disgraced andexecuted as a common criminal. And now thefinal insult has come: His body has been takenaway.

Mary's sorrow is so deep that she cannot evenmarvel at an angel manifestation. She can thinkonly of one thing: find the missing body of herdead Lord, Jesus, and rescue it from those whowould desecrate it.

B. Meeting the Risen Christ (vv. 14, 15)

And when she had thus said, she turnedherself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knewnot that it was Jesus.

Getting no answer from the angels (or perhapsnot caring even to wait for an answer), Maryturns away from the entrance of the tomb. She isdetermined to find Jesus' body. Yet in the dim:fight of the dawn, she encounters another per-son. She finds Jesus' body but not in the way sheexpects.

15.Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weep-est thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposinghim to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, ifthou have borne him hence, tell me where thanNast laid him, and I will take him away.

The combination of Mary's extreme grief, tearsthat cloud her eyesight, and the scant light ofearly morning combine to prevent her from rec-ognizing Jesus. He repeats the question of the an-gels, why weepest thou?

Mary, supposing him to be the gardener, asksthe only question that seems reasonable at thetime. Perhaps Jesus' body has been stolen. Orperhaps this gardener has moved it for somegood reason. But neither idea is correct.

C. Recognizing the Risen Christ (v. 16)

16. Jesus with unto her, Mary. She turnedherself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which isto say, Master.

Knowing that Mary has not recognized Him,Jesus speaks her name in a personal, revealingway. It all comes to her in a rush: Jesus is notdead! This is her Lard, her Master speaking toher. The realization of a split second changes herlife forever.

Notice that Mary does not find the livingChrist because of her seeking (remember: she islooking for a dead Christ). Rather, the livingChrist finds her! This has huge significance for ustoday. The risen Jesus is alive still and is stillseeking disciples. Jesus said He came to "seekand to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Ifwe make ourselves available, call on His name,and follow the biblical plan of salvation, Jesusfinds us and changes us.

We will never be the same when this hap-pens. We can be transformed from death to life(John 5:24). Our great fear of death no longerparalyzes us, for "now is Christ risen from thedead" (1 Corinthians 15:20) and "its Christ shallall be made alive" (1 Corinthians 15:22). Even ifwe die, we will be raised to eternal life and "soshall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians4:17).

III. Faith Brings Life(John 20:30, 31)

Have you ever wondered why the Gospelswere written? The apostle John now gives hisreaders a clear statement of his purpose in writ-ing: his purpose is evangelistic.

A. Signs of Jesus (v. 30)

30. And many other signs truly did Jesus inthe presence of his disciples, which are notwritten in this book.

In John signs are the miracles of Jesus (seeJohn 2:23; 4:48). The miracle accounts in Johntend to be more extensive and detailed than inthe other Gospels. John admits that he has beennecessarily selective in choosing which miraclesto recount (see John 21:25). How wonderful itwould be to learns of some of those unrecordedmiracles! Jesus' earthly life was not one of care-fully chosen good deeds for a public-relationscampaign. Rather, it was a pattern of healing andhelping wherever He went.

B. Faith in Jesus (v. 31)

31. But these are written, that ye mightbelieve that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;and that believing ye might have life throughhis name.

In fact, John does indeed tell as why he selectscertain miracles and why he writes in general: hedoes this so that believing ye naught have lifethrough lais notate. John thinks his account ofJesus is adequate to make his case. The carefulreader will see in Jesus the one who is God's Son,sent to redeem humanity (John 3:16). Such a reader will see the Lamb of God who takes awaythe world's sin (1:29). Such a reader will seeGod's chosen Messiah, who brings living water(4:14). Such a reader will see life and resurrec-tion from the dead (11:25).

The one who believes in Jesus need not feardeath, for He has conquered death. Those whobelieve are called to be faithful, even unto death,for they will receive a crown of life (Revelation2:10). 'See question #6, page 280.)

BELIEVING THE EVIDENCE

Juan Catalan was charged with the murder ofa teenage girl in May 2003. He claimed that hehad been with his daughter at Dodger Stadium inLos Angeles at the time of the murder, about 20miles from the scene of the crime. Police did notbelieve him. Catalan had ticket stubs to thegame, and family members testified to his inno-cence. But police had a witness placing Catalanat the murder site. Catalan's attorney obtained anofficial Dodger videotape of the game, but Cata-lan couldn't be identified.

Then the attorney discovered that HBO hadalso filmed a program at the stadium thatevening. In footage that had been cut from theprogram, one scene clearly showed Catalan andhis daughter eating hot dogs. The time codeson the tape were evidence that he had been atthe stadium at the time of the murder. Cellphone records placed him near the stadium aswell. Nearly six months after Catalan seasjailed, the court threw his case out. Catalanwas a free man.

Evidence is important! John wrote his Gospelto offer us evidence about Jesus. John says theevidence establishes the fact, without ambiguity,

Conclusion

A. Seeking a Dead Christ

Some years ago there was a series of documen-tary programs produced for television entitledThe Long Search. The shows examined the ori-gins and beliefs of the world's great religions, in-cluding several varieties of Christianity. Thepremise of the series was that religion consists ofthe human search for God. This search turns outdifferently for different searchers, thus produc-ing diverging faiths. In this way of thinking, reli-gion is largely the product of human imaginationand experience.

Biblical faith, at its core, is decidedly different.The Bible is not the record of humanity's searchfor God. It is much more the story of God'ssearch to redeem His lost children. Yet there arethose who, like Mary, still search for a deadChrist. Some seek Him as only a historical figurefrom 2,000 years ago. They find an enigmatic fig-ure, a person very difficult to explain using thestandard criteria of history.

Others seek Christ only in the pages of tradi-tion. They see Him as the originator of a greatsystem of ethical teaching: selflessness and ser-vice. Still others seek a Christ that fits their pre-determined needs. They want a Savior accordingto their expectations, not according to His termsand demands. Therefore they seem to serve adead Christ. He makes no impact on what theydo, how they behave, or their future plans.The great news of Resurrection Sunday is thatwe serve a risen Savior. He was alive on thatmorning when Mary visited the tomb. He is alivetoday and still seeking those who would serveHim, love Him, and be His disciples. As believ-ers we can walk daily with the confidence ofJesus' presence in our lives. He is not dead! Hal-lelujah, He is risen indeed!

B. Prayer

God, our loving Father, we trust in Yourpromise that just as You did not abandonSon, Jesus, to the grave, so You will raise us to hewith Him on the last day. May You take asvaxour natural fear of death and replace it with timconfidence of those who serve a risen Lord. Errpray this in the name of the resurrected Chts-.amen.

C. Thought to Remember

The risen Christ still offers eternal life.

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