May 5, 2020
Trust God's Promises, Even When His Promises Seem Impossible to Trust
John 20:1-18
Merrill Pollard
Central Truth
As believers, we sometimes have a hard time trusting God even if we believe what He says is true. When this happens, worry and anxiety may leave us feeling empty and alone. Instead, we should trust God's plan, which will always leave us feeling loved and replenished.
Key Verse | John 20:11-13
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 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."
John 20:1-18
The Resurrection
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. 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 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' 1 20:7 Greek his head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had 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 went back to their homes.
Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene
11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one 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 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” 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 Aramaic, 2 20:16 Or Hebrew “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 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.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.
Dive Deeper | John 20:1-18
A few years ago, I found myself like Mary. I knew the amazing truth I had been told millions of times. But I did not fully trust what I knew was true when my life grew difficult.
Because I didn't fully trust God, it left me feeling alone and anxious while my Savior was right there waiting for me to trust Him. He wanted me to believe, even though I couldn't see. But eventually I discovered the awesomeness of trusting in God's plan.
I have a feeling I'm not the only one who's gone through this. Raise your hand if you've ever lost trust in God during hard times? Come on, you can be honest. This is a safe place! If you have, I can tell you that you aren't alone.
In this passage, we see Mary Magdalene anxiously looking for Jesus' body after He died on the cross and had been placed in a tomb. Thinking His body had been moved, Mary tells His disciples they must help her look.
You may be thinking, how could I possibly relate to this story during hard times? Mary's becoming anxious and worried, even though God promised He would raise Jesus from the dead, shows that it's hard to trust God when things seem impossible. Why? Because for years, Jesus had been telling his people that He will rise again! But now that His body was gone was that even possible?
Instead of trusting her Lord, Mary seems to have given in to worry and anxiety, like we so often do. Do you think Mary questions at this moment if God is going to keep His promise?
Mary is not left to worry for long. In John 20:16-18, Mary sees Jesus and cries out to Him in praise! Jesus is alive! Mary realizes she had no reason to worry and she could trust everything God said!
Just like Mary, we should always trust in the Lord even when it is hard. God will always welcome you with open arms.
Discussion Questions
1. Are you trusting the Lord right now? If not, how can you trust Him more? Have you put your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior?
2. What hardships are you facing? How can you rely on God's promises during these hardships?
3. Think of how the Lord has answered your prayers and kept His promises in the past. Now write these answered prayers down so you can look back on them when you have a hard time trusting God in the future.